What it is
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is one of the two most common bachelor's degrees. It's a four-year undergraduate degree that emphasizes breadth — more electives, foreign language, and humanities/social-science context alongside the major. The same subject is often offered as a BA or a BS; the BA leans broader and more flexible.
The degrees & designations
A BA is offered across nearly every field. A few examples — click through to the major or family:
How long it takes
About four years of full-time study (roughly 120 credit hours); some fields run to five with co-ops or intensive sequences.
What you study
A BA devotes more of the degree to breadth — general education, electives, languages, and humanities — with the major requiring fewer technical/lab courses than a comparable BS. It builds writing, critical thinking, and communication.
Getting in
Admission requires a high school diploma or GED, transcripts, and often essays, recommendations, and (sometimes) tests. Selectivity varies by school and program.
Cost & funding
Cost ranges widely — from lower-cost public in-state tuition to private universities — with grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans commonly used. Starting at a community college can reduce cost.
Where it leads
A BA prepares graduates for a wide range of careers and for graduate, professional, and law school. Its breadth and communication focus travel well across fields.
How it compares
The BA vs BS difference is emphasis, not rank: the BA is broader with more electives and humanities; the BS goes deeper into the field's technical core. Many majors offer both.
Is it right for you?
A BA fits students who want flexibility, breadth, and strong communication — and those in the humanities, social sciences, arts, and languages.
Explore further
This is a reference guide. Keep exploring:
Key facts
- WhatA four-year bachelor's emphasizing breadth
- Length~4 years / ~120 credits
- Vs a BSBroader; more electives & humanities, less technical depth
- Common inHumanities, social sciences, arts, languages
- Leads toWide-ranging careers and graduate/professional study
Where to learn more
Keep exploring the resource: