Navigating Higher Education: A Comprehensive Guide to College Degree Options

Tertiary education, often called higher education or post-secondary education, is the educational stage following the completion of secondary education. It generally culminates in the receipt of certificates, diplomas, or academic degrees. Higher education is important to national economies, both as an industry, in its own right, and as a source of trained and educated personnel for the rest of the economy. Whether you're looking to return to school, change careers or pursue a promotion, it's important to consider how the different degrees can help you reach your goals. This article explores the various degree levels available in college, from the associate to the doctoral level, providing insights into the opportunities, requirements, and potential career paths associated with each.

Understanding Tertiary Education

Tertiary education represents levels 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the 2011 version of the International Standard Classification of Education structure. UNESCO stated that tertiary education focuses on learning endeavors in specialized fields.

Since World War II, developed and many developing countries have increased the participation of the age group who mostly studies higher education from the elite rate, of up to 15 per cent, to the mass rate of 16 to 50 per cent. In many developed countries, participation in higher education has continued to increase towards universal or, what Trow later called, open access, where over half of the relevant age group participate in higher education. Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) commits countries to providing lifelong learning opportunities for all, including tertiary education.

College Degree Levels: A Hierarchy of Knowledge

College degree levels can be broken down into two categories: undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees. Within these, there are four primary degree levels: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral. Each one offers different academic paths and career opportunities.

Here are the college degrees in order from lowest ranking to highest:

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Associate degree (undergraduate)
Bachelor’s degree (undergraduate)
Master’s degree (graduate)
Doctoral degree (graduate)

While a doctorate is the highest education level, some fields may stop at a master’s. The phrase “terminal degree” refers to the highest degree in a field.

Associate Degree: The Foundation

"Associate degrees are known as a 2-year degree and are the first degree you can obtain beyond completing a high school diploma, or equivalent," said Dylan Talbot '23, an admission counselor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). An associate degree is a two-year undergraduate program that gives you foundational knowledge and skills in a specific field. An associate degree can also serve as the foundation for a bachelor’s program. You may even be able to transfer some of the credits you earned for your associate degree toward a four-year degree. Some associate degrees require you to complete an internship or practicum in addition to taking classes. This is particularly common among healthcare and tech degrees.

To apply for an associate degree program, you’ll need a high school diploma or equivalent, like a GED certificate. Some schools may require you to submit standardized test scores, such as ACT or SAT scores, as well.

Types of Associate Degrees

Colleges can offer three kinds of associate degrees:

Associate of Arts (AA)
Associate of Science (AS)
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Arts, humanities, and creative fields typically offer an AA, whereas social sciences and natural sciences often award an AS. An AS degree can prepare you for jobs available across many industries, including marketing, information technology and accounting. Many applied and vocational programs offer an AAS degree. The type of degree matters if you’re planning to transfer into a bachelor’s program. Colleges normally offer fewer transfer credits for an AAS degree.

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Career Opportunities with an Associate Degree

While these degrees offer fewer opportunities than bachelor’s degrees, they can qualify you for some entry-level positions, particularly in healthcare. An associate degree prepares you for vocational, allied health, and support roles. For example, you can become a medical assistant, paralegal, or vet tech with an associate degree. There are great benefits and opportunities that come with starting with an associate degree. For example, earning an associate degree can have a significant economic impact. If you’re unsure about starting a bachelor’s degree program, earning an associate degree is a great way to kickstart your education and enter the workforce before enrolling in a more advanced degree.

Popular Associate Degree Jobs:

Web Developer
Dental Hygienist
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Respiratory Therapist
Health Information Technologist
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Computer Network Support Specialist
Paralegal
Physical Therapist Assistant
Veterinary Technician

Bachelor’s Degree: The Standard

"A bachelor's degree is a 4-year undergraduate degree and is the second level degree that can be obtained," Talbot said. Bachelor’s degree programs provide in-depth knowledge and skills across a wide variety of potential career paths to help you stand out in today’s competitive job market. A bachelor’s degree program prepares you for many career paths. You’ll generally spend four years earning a bachelor’s degree at a college or university. You’ll take general education classes, electives, and upper-level courses in your major, providing you with a well-rounded academic foundation. For admission to a bachelor’s degree program, you’ll need a high school diploma for admission, and you may also need to submit SAT or ACT scores.

Bachelor’s degrees like a Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) offer more opportunities to focus your learning on a specialized area of study. Samiyah Muhammed '23 is a first-generation college graduate who earned her Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Human Services and Advocacy. She hopes to use her degree to help those in need. "I plan to advocate for the little guy," she said. Muhammed said she also wants to start life coaching for those who may need a little extra motivation and guidance. "Bachelor's degrees provide graduates with a firm understand of concepts related to the field of study," Talbot said. He also noted that bachelor's degrees are one of the most common.

Types of Bachelor’s Degrees

There are many types of bachelor’s degrees you can earn, depending on what your major is and what your school offers. Some of the most common types of bachelor’s degrees you’ll see include:

Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA)
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)
Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.)
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The two most popular degrees are a BA and a BS. These degrees cover all arts and sciences majors and some education and engineering degrees.

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Career Opportunities with a Bachelor’s Degree

Bachelor’s degrees are widely seen as essential for many professional careers. In diverse industries like business, tech, and education, a bachelor’s degree can prepare you for many entry-level careers. Some of the highest-paying jobs with a bachelor’s degree include roles in finance, management, and tech. Graduates with a four-year degree can also benefit from the high demand that many well-paying fields see, like software development and engineering.

Popular Bachelor’s Degree Jobs:

Software Developer
Mechanical Engineer
Registered Nurse
Technical Writer
Microbiologist
Human Resources Specialist
Special Education Teacher
Social Worker
Graphic Designer
Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor

Master’s Degree: Specialization and Advancement

Earning a master’s degree can be a great way to position yourself for growth in your desired field. A master’s degree can help you gain specialized skills and qualify for higher-paying roles. As a graduate student, you’ll work closely with experts in your field to explore advanced topics. Most master’s programs require students to complete a minimum of 30 credits. Admission and graduation requirements vary depending on the program. For example, many arts and sciences master’s programs require GRE scores, while business programs typically require GMAT scores.

Evan Fronheiser '21 '23MBA had initially gone to college right out of high school but quickly learned that the traditional college experience wasn't for him. Shortly after, he became a military academic advisor for SNHU. Master’s degrees, like Master of Science (MS) or Master of Arts (MA), are available across a wide variety of subjects. Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs are among the most well-known master’s degree programs, with opportunities to study finance, accounting, international business, criminal justice, information technology management and more. A master's demonstrates expertise in a subject area, Talbot said.

Types of Master’s Degrees

Here are some of the most common types of master’s degrees you can earn:

Master of Arts (MA)
Master of Science (MS)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Master of Laws (LL.M.)
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Master of Public Policy (MPP)
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Master of Social Work (MSW)

An MA and an MS are among the most popular master’s degrees. Humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences fields typically award an MA or an MS. Other popular options include an MBA and an M.Ed.

Career Opportunities with a Master’s Degree

With a master’s degree, you can qualify for management-level careers and specialized roles in a field like healthcare, research, and social services. The highest-paying master’s degrees include MBAs and nurse practitioner degrees.

Popular Master’s Degree Jobs:

Political Scientist
Physician Assistant
Nurse Practitioner
Economist
Statistician
Occupational Therapist
Speech-Language Pathologist
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
Historian
Marriage and Family Therapist

Doctoral Degrees: The Pinnacle of Education

Depending on your industry and career goals, there are several types of doctoral degrees to consider. A doctorate is the highest education level, but there are still several types of doctoral degrees. In many fields, a doctorate is the terminal degree. There are a few different types of doctoral degrees you can earn. Professional doctorates train you for a professional career. For example, law school and med school are two common professional paths. Meanwhile, the most common kind of doctorate, the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) emphasizes theory and research.

In a doctoral program, you’ll take graduate-level seminars and courses, take comprehensive exams, conduct original research, and defend a dissertation in front of a faculty committee. Most applied doctorates take 3-5 years to earn, while a Ph.D. typically requires 4-6 years of study, if not more. In some fields, you can earn your doctorate online. Some doctoral programs require a master’s degree for admission, whereas others admit applicants with just a bachelor’s degree, who will earn a master’s degree as part of the program. You may need to submit standardized test scores depending on the program.

Doctoral degrees can take up to 7-years of intense study to complete. And, according to Talbot, after completing doctoral degree coursework, you could potentially need to sit for comprehensive subject matter exams.

Dr. Jennifer Barry '04 '06G '23EdD has worked in higher education for over 17 years. "I can see how much the president of a university can impact the trajectory of a school over time, and I'd like to be part of that for an institution," she said. So, she decided to earn her EdD in Educational Leadership from SNHU. As she walked across the stage at SNHU's 2023 Spring Commencement, she hoped anyone earning their degree would see her and be inspired to pursue their doctorate.

Types of Doctoral Degrees

Here are some of the most common ones you can get:

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA): A doctoral degree tailored to business professionals looking to explore, examine and address business issues.
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
Juris Doctor (JD)

A Ph.D. is the most popular doctorate. You can earn a Ph.D. in many arts and sciences fields. Other doctorates take their names from the career path associated with the degree.

Career Opportunities with a Doctorate

If you want to become a physician, professor, or lawyer, you’ll need a doctorate. In many fields, a doctorate translates into higher salaries. Lawyers, pharmacists, and physicists all report median salaries of over $125,000 per year, according to the BLS.

Popular Doctoral Degree Jobs:

Physician or Surgeon
Dentist
Physicist or Astronomer
Lawyer
Pharmacist
Veterinarian
Physical Therapist
Psychologist
Audiologist
Postsecondary Teacher

Choosing the Right Degree Level

"If you are thinking about pursuing a degree, the first step is determining which degree option is best suited to your needs," Talbot said. Each career also has its own unique job requirements, and there are often benefits to remaining in the workforce, building your resume and working toward a college degree simultaneously. The right degree level for you depends on your specific career goals, interests, and circumstances. For some careers, an associate’s or bachelor’s degree is enough. For more specialized career paths, you’ll need a master’s or doctorate.

You should also think about what’s practical for you right now. Look at each degree’s time, cost, and commitment and decide if it’s worth the investment. Choosing a degree that aligns with your career path while being realistically achievable is key. It’s also completely reasonable to want to earn a degree that will pay off.

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