Explore Online Undergraduate Degrees and Graduate Degree Programs Today!

An undergraduate is a student attending an undergraduate degree program at a university or college. Often colloquially referred to as ‘Undergrads’. According to NCES, in the fall of 2016 there were an estimated 20.5 million undergrads attending universities and college across the USA. A mere 15 years earlier that number was roughly 15 million.

An undergraduate degree refers to the next level of formal education for students who hold a high school diploma or GED. They are the first step to pursuing a “higher education.”Offered by a University or College, undergraduate degrees are academic programs that focus on a specific area of study. The goal of an undergrad student is to earn a Bachelor or Associates degree.

Online undergraduate degrees offer both a broad range of subjects and a specific set of subjects. The broad range of subjects is what many schools call “general education.” This typically includes math, science, social studies, English, History, and other “core” subjects. In both associates and bachelors degree programs, students general devote half of the program to general education.

The specific set of subjects is covered by what many schools call a “major.” The intent of a Major is to gain specialized knowledge. When someone says they have an associates or a bachelors degree in political science, biology, history, or sociology, what they mean more specifically is that they majored in one of these subjects.

Yes, a bachelors degree, is an undergraduate degree. Generally, a bachelor’s degree will be focused on a particular field of study also known as an undergraduate major, and is typically earned in four years.

A wide range of Bachelors degrees are available. These undergraduate degrees usually fall under the heading of either a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA).

There are a number of differences between Associates Degrees and Bachelors degrees.

1. Typically, Bachelor degrees take four years to complete while an Associates degree may only take two years to complete.
2. An associates degree also tends to have cheaper tuition than a bachelors degree.
3. Certain careers, many in the vocational or technical field, require specific Associate degree programs.
4. Bachelor’s degrees are generally considered a higher level of education than an Associates. Also, they are are not always geared towards a particular job or profession.
5. It is also likely, that during the course of earning Bachelors degrees, students may supplement their major with unrelated courses, something that’s more rare in an Associates degree program.

In short, it’s possible but earning an undergraduate degree doesn’t guarantee you’ll earn more money. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2015 the median earnings for someone with a bachelor’s degree is $1,137/week. While someone with a high school diploma earns just a median of $678/week. That’s a big difference!

It is also possible that some careers may require an entry-level education of a bachelors degree or higher. BLS suggests that earning a degree might open up career paths that would otherwise be closed to non-degree earners. Of course, program outcomes vary according to specific curriculum, and no employment opportunities and salaries are guaranteed.

A graduate degree is a Masters or Doctoral degree that comes after a student has earned a Bachelors degree. A Masters degree may involve up to another three years of study, though some schools offer fast track programs. Meanwhile, a PhD can take up to six years of additional study.

Graduate classes hone in on a specific field of study. Because of this, it is not uncommon for a person to have multiple graduate degrees.

Yes, a masters degree is a graduate degree. Graduate students are pursuing a degree to advance their education through a more focused and intensive program. They’re attempting to master their subjects; to deepen their knowledge and enhance their skills.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more masters degrees were awarded in business than in any other field during 2012-2013. Some of the highest wage premiums for workers with masters degrees were in business, financial, and sales occupations. In numerous other business occupations, employees with masters degrees earned 36 to 89 percent more than employees with bachelors degrees.

In 2012-2013, more than 1 out of 5 masters degrees was awarded in education. Employees in education with masters degrees earned 44 percent more than employees with bachelors degrees. In 2013, education administrators, preschool and kindergarten teachers, and elementary and middle school teachers benefited most financially from having masters degrees.

Many healthcare and social service occupations offered wage premiums for employees with masters degrees. Physician assistants earned 44 percent more by having a masters degree, and counselors and social and human service assistants earned 35 percent more. Other occupations in the field also enjoyed wage premiums.

A non traditional student is a student who is going back to school later in life, whether it be a couple of years or 20. Because a non traditional student has life responsibilities such family or work, they are looking for a degree path that offers flexibility and convenience.

Many times non traditional students are looking to earn a degree to either enhance their career prospects or change careers altogether.

In 2015, Aslanian Market Research conducted a survey of 1,500 students. These students were all engaged in an online program either currently or would be in the next 12 months. The answers also gave us a list of 10 most popular undergraduate majors and grad school majors.

Undergraduate Majors

1. Business administration
2. Nursing
3. Computer science&engineering
4. Information technology
5. Engineering
6. Sociology
7. Networks, computer networking
8. Elementary education
9. Social work
10. Criminal justice

Grad School Majors

1. Business administration
2. Nursing
3. Computer science&engineering
4. Information technology
5. Early childhood education
6. Counseling psychology, psychotherapy
7. Computer security, cybersecurity
8. Networks, computer networking
9. Technology management
10. Social work

Between online undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees, you can see many majors in common. In fact, the top 4 online majors are the same in popularity. So if you’re interested in one of these undergraduate majors, you’re in good company! You should have plenty of classmates if you choose to earn your online degree.