Is It Worth It To Get Two Bachelor Degrees?

Will a Second Bachelor's Degree Advance My Career?

Perhaps you're already on a career path you enjoy. Whether you got your first bachelor's degree right out of high school or waited until later, you have used it to move up as far as possible in your industry.

But perhaps you need a specific degree to pursue further advancement. For example, you have a degree in English but need a marketing degree to work as a marketing manager. Going back to school for a second bachelor's degree can help you qualify for specific promotions and potentially higher salaries.

Will Two Bachelor's Degrees Help Me To Achieve My Career Goals?

Perhaps you haven't entered the workforce yet, or you're hoping to change careers and work in a completely different field. Getting a second bachelor's degree will broaden your skill set and provide an in-depth education in a new field of study, making it possible for you to forge a new career or pursue highly specialized positions or interests.

Do Both Undergraduate Degrees Complement Each Other?

Students with similar or complementary degree interests sometimes choose to pursue a double major instead of two distinct bachelor's degrees. Double majors can be completed in less time than separate bachelor's degree programs.

But if you already have your first degree, pursuing a complementary second bachelor's degree, later on, can provide the same benefits as a double major. These benefits include:

• help you expand your skills
• increase your knowledge
• potentially earn a higher income once you enter or return to the workforce

What Is the Motivation Behind Pursuing Two Bachelor's Degrees?

Perhaps you're not sure why you're interested in pursuing a second undergrad degree. It's important to spend some time identifying your motivation before you commit to the time and money you'll spend getting another degree.

Getting a second degree can have many benefits, but it will require a lot of hard work. You will have extra coursework requirements, and it will likely take longer to graduate with two degrees than just one. Determining why you want to pursue a second bachelor's degree can help you stay focused and motivated as you work through the challenges.

Does My Financial Situation Enable Me To Pursue Two Bachelor's Degrees?

Getting a second bachelor's degree will cost extra since you will have to take quite a few additional courses. A variety of financial aid options are available, but, likely, you will still have significant out-of-pocket expenses.

Ask yourself whether you can afford a second degree. Can your family contribute to your education? Will you work a job or participate in a work-study program to help fund your second degree? Making these determinations early will help you plan for your education.

Do Employers Prefer Candidates With Two Bachelor's Degrees?

Generally speaking, having two bachelor's degrees will help you stand out from the crowd and make you a more desirable job candidate. Most employers prefer candidates with higher levels of education, so two bachelor's degrees will be seen as better than one.

That said, the specific majors you pursue may be more important than the number of degrees you hold. Many careers require specific degrees, and employers will be looking to see if you hold one or more of these specific degrees. Having an unrelated degree, or even more than one, will not help you land those jobs.

On the other hand, many fields are less interested in the specific degrees you hold and more interested in the skills and education you have. In such cases, having two complementary degrees can make it easier for you to get specific jobs or promotions.

Benefits of Earning Two Bachelor's Degrees

We've already touched on some of the potential benefits of pursuing dual degrees. The bullet list below summarizes these benefits:

• expanded knowledge and skill set
• potential for higher income
• increased potential to get hired
• may be less intensive than a graduate degree
• can lead to a better variety of job opportunities

FAQs About Earning Two Bachelor Degrees

If you still have questions about getting a second bachelor's degree, read on as we provide some answers.

Are Two Undergraduate Degrees Better Than a Master's Degree?

It depends on the career path you hope to pursue. Some fields require a master's degree, while others only require a bachelor's degree. If you hope to work in a field requiring a master's degree, you'll need to attend graduate school. Otherwise, pursuing a complementary second bachelor's degree can provide many of the same benefits as a master's program.

How Common Is It To Earn Two Bachelor's Degrees?

Generally speaking, getting a second bachelor's degree is less common than pursuing only one undergraduate degree. However, this can vary depending on the school and the specific career you're interested in.

Should I Get a Second Bachelor's Degree To Fix a Bad GPA?

If you have a low cumulative GPA from your previous studies, getting a second bachelor's degree can raise your overall GPA. However, you can still get a job even if your GPA is lower than average. If you're only pursuing a second degree to raise your GPA, doing so may not be worth it unless you plan to pursue an advanced degree and need a higher GPA to meet the graduate program admission requirements.

Is It Normal To Have Two Bachelor's Degrees?

Though getting two bachelor's degrees may not be as common as getting a single bachelor's degree, it is perfectly normal. Many students choose to pursue a second bachelor's degree to improve their career prospects, change fields, or achieve specific career goals.