AA, BA, MBA- What Does It All Mean?

Shannon Kietzman, Contributing Writer

Updated: 3/13/2010

Now that you have decided to go to college, you may be feeling a bit confused by all of the different types of degrees you can earn. Not only are there many different areas of study you can pursue, there are also several different levels of degrees. To help you decide which one is the right type of degree for you, it is helpful to understand what it takes to earn each type of degree and what you can expect to get in return for your efforts.

The Associate's Degree

In general, the most basic form of a college degree you can earn is the associate's degree. If you attend school full time, you can usually finish an associate's degree in just two years. It is important to note, however, that some fields do not offer an associate's level degree program. In other fields, earning an associate's degree is enough to help you earn an entry level position within the field. According to the US Census Bureau, the average annual earnings for those with an associate's degree are about $38,200. Not too bad when compared to the average annual earnings for a person with only a high school diploma, which is $30,400.

The Bachelor's Degree

The bachelor's degree is the next level of degree you can earn. These programs usually take four years to complete when attending full-time, but some may take up to five years to finish. Earning a bachelor's degree is enough to get you a position in most professions. The US Census Bureau reports that the average annual salary for those with a bachelor's degree is $52,200.

The Master's Degree

After you finish your bachelor's degree program, you can then begin pursuing a master's degree. A master's degree generally takes about two more years of full-time study beyond the bachelor's degree and some professions require a minimum of a master's degree even for entry level positions. The US Census Bureau reports that the average annual salary for those with a master's degree is $62,300.

The Doctoral Degree

After earning your master's degree, you may then pursue a doctoral degree. Depending upon your area of study, these programs can take two to four years to complete. According to the US Census Bureau, those with doctoral degrees earn an average annual salary of $89,400.

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