Is a bachelors of science considered higher (or harder) than a bachelors of arts?

Question

Even if only slightly, is a BS degree considered higher or at all more prestigious than a BA?

I'm like going to be 3 years overdue from graduating anyway and I'll be getting a bachelors of science, no need to sugarcoat a BA for me.

Answer 1

There is a difference, for sure, especially at schools that give you the option of getting either a B.S. or B.A. in the same major as mine did (though many schools pre-determine whether a degree will be a B.S. or a B.A. depending on whether the major field is Math/Science or Humanities/Letters arenas, taking the choice out of your hands).

The difference usually involves the number and complexity of math and/or science credits required to graduate, and the percentage of your final credit total these fields will take up. For example, when I chose to get a B.S. over a B.A. it meant that I had to have 9 additional hours of math and science (one upper-division/junior-senior level) than the standard requirement.

All of that said, it typically makess NO DIFFERENCE in terms of prestige unless, and even then this is a relatively small concern, you are planning on going into a math or science field, or a highly competitive grad school or fellowship application process where the candidate field is so tighly packed that even the smallest things make a difference--and that is a rare situation.

The issue of prestige is instead a personal one...I studied journalism and govnernment and, my entire life, had been known as someone who was absolutely useless when it came to math or science. When I accidentally took an extra science class than my degree plan required, I realized that I would only need two more to get a B.S. instead of a B.A. For me, a guy who really struggled in math, particularly, and was seen as a completely touchy-feely "writer" type by even my closest friends and family, the idea of actually having a piece of paper that said I'd earned something specifically tied to math and science was appealing to me...me personally, and I chose to go for the B.S. and was thrilled when I first saw it on paper.

I'm an exception, I'm sure...but the point is the same. Do what is right for you, for your major, for finishing your degree on-time, and for what you feel will give you the best education in this last round of liberal arts education...you'll be happiest that way.

Answer 2

I have a BS and wouldn't consider it any higher or more prestigious than a BA. It is just that the concentration of studies are different fields. BA would be literature, history, the arts, etc. while the BS is in social sciences, engineering, science. I have my degree in sociology/history minor. I was a probation officer for many years, salary was ok but not major by any means. I believe that sociology/social work fields don't make the money that the engineering fields do, but it is all a matter of interests and choice.
Actually, you could hold the highest of degrees and if you don't apply yourself the degree is worthless. So what you do with the degree is what makes it prestigious.

Answer 3

It depends on the subject. It makes no sense to get a B.A. in Engineering, just as it makes no sense to get a BS in History. The BA/BS usually refers to the classes you have to take outside of your major as a part of your core curriculum.
The only time you should consider it a problem is if you school offers a BA in Biology, or something like that. A friend of mine got that degree from the university of Chicago, a great school, but not a degree that employers are really looking for in the workplace.
Before thinking that BS is better because they are earned by engineers and scientists, consider that most people working in Washington DC, Wall Street, and white collar people have BA.

Answer 4

It's considered harder than a BA to get. That's just generally. It doesn't mean you get more prestige or money though, unfortunately.

Edit:
I wouldn't put too much stock into what Harvard Grad says about his educational experience. He claims to have a Princeton BA, but check out his other answers in which he also claims to have a Harvard BA as well as a joint Harvard JD/MBA. He's also asked what the requirements are to get into Ivy League schools (a strange thing to ask if you've attended a couple of their undergrads). I'd also hope an Ivy League grad could spell "paid" properly, considering a good paying job is a main reason why many of them attend those schools.

Answer 5

The BS degree typically specifies more courses in the major (or cognate fields) than does the BA degree. The BA focuses on creating a well-rounded graduate through formal study of natural sciences, social sciences, and foreign languages. The BS degree tends to be awarded more often in the natural sciences than in the humanities.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor_of_Arts

Answer 6

I am graduating in May with my Bachelor of Arts in Biology, the University I go to also offers a Bachelor of Science in Biology. The differences are these: B.A. Biology 32 credits in Biology: 2 labs, 1 writing intensive 8 credits in Chemistry: General Chemistry I and II 18-24 credits of a non science-math minor B.S. Science 36 credits in Biology: 1 course required in Molecular-Cell Biology 1 course required in Developmental-Function Biology 1 course required in Ecology-Behavior-Diversity Biology 3 labs, 1 writing intensive 16 credits in Chemistry: General Chemistry I and II Organic Chemistry I and II required 8 credit in Physics 6 credits in Math: Calculus required this degree has an inclusive minor The University I attend gears the B.S. degree mainly for Pre-Med students. I will be starting my grad work this summer for my Masters in 2ndry Education - I am going to be a high school Biology teacher. It really depends on the school, as other colleges within my state's college/university system offer either the B.A. OR the B.S., and what you intend on using your degree for.

Answer 7

Not at all! They are both equally hard and a BS does NOT get payed more than a BA in fact the opposite. BS includes Engineering, Chemistry etc.. (science stuff) but a BA includes (Literature, History, Social Studies). I got a BA from Princeton and then graduated Harvard Law and trust me no BS holder can beat my salary! :))

Hope this helps

Answer 8

Depends on what you're doing with it... I have a Masters that has nothing to do with my job, but simply because I have the paper, I get paid more... Go figure...

Answer 9

Yes, a BA basically says "I know in theory" as opposed to "I know".

Answer 10

Yes..
And it pays a lot more too...