BA vs BS
A BA (Bachelor of Arts) and BS (Bachelor of Science) are both four-year undergraduate degrees in most U.S. universities. The BA emphasises humanities, social sciences, and breadth; the BS emphasises technical depth in sciences, mathematics, engineering, or other quantitative fields. The exact boundary varies hugely between universities — some offer both BA and BS in the same major.
Last reviewed on 2026-04-27.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | BA | BS |
|---|---|---|
| Stands for | Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor of Science |
| Emphasis | Humanities, social sciences, broader curriculum | Technical depth, science, math, engineering |
| Typical majors | English, History, Sociology, Languages, Philosophy | Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering |
| Foreign language requirement | Often required | Less common |
| Math/lab requirements | Lower | Higher |
| Both available? | Yes — many fields offer BA and BS variants | Yes |
| In employer eyes | Treated similarly for most jobs | Treated similarly for most jobs |
Key Differences
1. Different emphases, similar length
A BA typically requires more humanities, social-science, and arts coursework. The breadth requirement is wider; depth in any single field may be slightly less than a BS in the same major.
A BS typically requires more math, science, lab, and technical coursework. The technical depth is greater; humanities breadth may be reduced.
2. Major versus degree type
Many fields can be earned as either a BA or a BS. Computer science, psychology, economics, mathematics, and many others have both versions. The choice usually depends on which set of distribution requirements you take.
In practice, the same coursework in the major may be required for both. The BA tends to add more humanities; the BS adds more advanced quantitative or technical work.
3. Foreign language and humanities
BA programs often require multiple semesters of a foreign language and a broader liberal-arts core.
BS programs often skip or reduce the foreign language requirement and focus on science and quantitative coursework.
4. Field-specific patterns
Some fields are predominantly BA: English, History, Philosophy, Foreign Languages, Sociology, Anthropology.
Some fields are predominantly BS: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, Nursing. Computer Science is one of the most evenly split.
5. How employers see them
For most jobs, employers don't distinguish strongly. The major and the school matter more than the BA/BS designation.
In some technical fields, a BS signals more rigorous quantitative training, which can matter for graduate-school applications or specialised technical roles. Most jobs treat them equivalently.
6. Same school, different programs
Within one university, BA and BS in the same major often share most of the upper-level courses. The difference shows up in distribution requirements and electives.
Some universities only offer BA degrees and use "Bachelor of Arts" as the default for nearly all majors. Others (especially technical institutes) lean heavily toward BS.
When to Choose Each
Choose BA if:
- Humanities, social sciences, languages.
- Students who want broader exposure across the liberal arts.
- Programs requiring foreign-language coursework.
- Many state and liberal-arts colleges by default.
Choose BS if:
- Sciences, math, engineering, computer science (often).
- Students who want technical depth.
- Programs at technical institutes (MIT, Caltech) and engineering-heavy schools.
- Pre-professional tracks (pre-med, pre-engineering).
Worked example
At one major U.S. university, a Computer Science department offers both a BA and a BS. The BA includes more humanities and a foreign-language requirement; the BS includes more math (linear algebra, discrete math, theory) and additional CS electives. A student aiming for graduate school in CS might choose the BS for the deeper technical foundation; a student aiming for a CS-adjacent humanities career might choose the BA for the broader exposure.
Common Mistakes
- "BS is harder than BA." Different focus, not different difficulty. A BA in philosophy can be intellectually demanding; a BS in computer science can be technically demanding.
- "Employers prefer one over the other." Most don't distinguish strongly. School and major matter more.
- "You can't change between them." Many universities allow students to switch between BA and BS in the same major early in the program.
- "BS is the science version of BA." Often yes, but in some fields the BA is also rigorous and quantitative.