Associate's or Bachelor's Degree First?

• College is different for every student. Look for degree plans that can fit your unique needs.
• Today, enrolling in an associate’s degree program is almost as common as enrolling at a four-year college.[i]
• Associate’s degree students have many different options. Some plan to finish college after earning a certificate or two-year degree. Others plan to earn bachelor’s degrees or more.

What will your plan be? The answer depends on your current situation and your professional goals. The following factors can help you decide.

Reasons to Start College with a Bachelor's Degree

You're certain about your career direction.

If you have a solid career ambition, and your career generally requires a bachelor's degree (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics or other reliable sources), there's no reason to divide your undergraduate education into two parts. You can enroll straightaway in a bachelor's degree program. This way, you won't risk any lost credits (see below).

You've mapped out a financial plan.

Paying for college is never easy, but it is often possible—even for low-income students. If you've investigated the costs and you're prepared to do the legwork — completing your FAFSA online, saving a portion of your income, applying for scholarhips, etc — then you shouldn’t be nervous about pursuing a four-year degree.

You're determined to graduate.

Bachelor's degrees usually require 40 courses, more or less. Some of these courses may be easy for you; others might prove challenging. If you have a plan for staying motivated when things get tough, then you're probably ready to tackle a bachelor’s degree.

You don't want to risk any "lost" credits.

If you earn your associate's degree at one college, then transfer to a new college for your bachelor's degree, there's a chance that you'll have to take some extra classes. Your new school might not accept all (or any) of your previous credits. Or, your new school might have institutional requirements — classes that are specific to the institution, and must be completed there. You can minimize the risk of lost credits by attending the same school for both your associate's degree and your bachelor's degree; by attending a two-year program that has an “articulation agreement” with a nearby university; or by simply starting your college studies in a bachelor’s program.

Reasons to Earn an Associate's Degree First

You aren't sure about the career you want to pursue.

It's not unusual to be undecided about your career — even if you've already been working for 10 or 20 years. Sometimes we second guess our career plans, because we're afraid to try and fail. Other times, we overlook the ways in which certain job titles match up with our most obvious skills and interests.

If you're not sure where your career is headed, you might be better served by an associate's degree—at least to start. If you look for two-year programs with a focus on general education, you could sample the coursework in various liberal arts subjects—including philosophy, psychology, writing, art, history, computer science, and more. Most associate's programs can put you in touch with instructors and advisors who can help you identify strengths and talents. You may have more flexibility to transition into a specific major or technical program, after starting with a shorter program.

Your financial situation is less than stable.

If you're having money problems, you may not want to sign on for a four-year degree right now.  Completing a shorter degree (perhaps at a community college, where tuition rates are typically much lower than those at four-year schools) may help you make an incremental improvement in your career status. You don't have to forget about your long-term career dreams, just consider taking a break between the stages of your studies.

You want a bachelor's degree from a selective college, but your high school grades or SAT scores were low.

You can't get accepted into a top-notch college if your high school grades were mostly D's. And these days, even state schools are quite competitive. If you want to earn a bachelor's degree from a name brand college or your state’s well-known university, you may need to prove yourself in an associate's program first. As an associate's student, you could rewrite your educational track record, using your newfound passion and determination. Schools may look favorably on your improved grades and your two-year effort.

Reasons to Only Earn an Associate's Degree

Your career goal only requires a 2-year degree.

Many of today's in-demand careers only require two years of college education as an entry-level credential. The following list represents just a few of them[ii]:

You simply don't like school.

Not everyone has the necessary interest level or the attention span to complete a bachelor's degree. This has very little to do with being more or less intelligent. Research shows that human beings are more likely to enjoy tasks that they are naturally good at. For example, athletic people enjoy playing sports. Mechanical people enjoy tinkering with engines. Verbal people enjoy reading and writing, which happen to be two skills that are frequently utilized in a bachelor's degree program.

If you're not naturally a verbal person, you can still learn how to read and write, but you probably won't want to spend three or four years — beyond high school — doing these exercises at an advanced level. For you, a bachelor's degree may not be the best option. Instead, you should try to determine your natural strengths. Maybe you have excellent fine-motor skills, which could help you become a talented electrician, calligrapher, or tailor. An associate's degree in electrical science or business administration might teach you what you need to know, and you could start doing what you love that much sooner.