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If you're looking for a well-rounded, broad-based education that will lay the foundation for more advanced studies and professional Work, look no further than a  

Four-year college

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Four-year colleges are postsecondary schools that provide four-year undergraduate degrees. These colleges confer bachelor's degrees in the arts and sciences, e.g., economics, foreign languages, political science, history, etc.

You've likely heard of bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of science (BS) degrees, the most common undergraduate degrees conferred by four-year colleges. Many four-year Colleges and Universities award the bachelor of arts degree for all academic subjects (e.g., English, chemistry) and the bachelor of science degree for pre-professional subjects (e.g., nursing, police science). Other four-year colleges confer the bachelor of arts degree for humanities courses (e.g., English, history) and the bachelor of science degree for courses in the natural sciences (e.g., chemistry, biology).

Though the BA and BS are the most common bachelor's degree programs at four-year colleges, there are certainly other degrees to choose from. Among them:

Bachelor of applied science (BAS) degree programs involve the application of knowledge from the natural sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, earth science) to solving practical problems. These practical applications of sciences include applied physics, biochemical engineering, Business informatics, and more.

The bachelor of fine arts (BFA) is a specialized, professional degree awarded by arts schools as well as traditional four-year colleges. This undergraduate degree program features four full years of study and training in a Major (e.g., creative writing, industrial design, musical theater), as opposed to the two years of specialization and two years of general education that a typical bachelor's degree provides.

Bachelor of business administration (BBA) degree programs specialize in business concentrations such as accounting, entrepreneurship, human resources, real estate, and more. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accredits these bachelor's degree programs to indicate that the curriculum has met specific quality standards.

Like the BFA, the bachelor of music (BMus) is a specialized, professional degree awarded by conservatories as well as traditional four-year colleges. This undergraduate degree program consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music (e.g., music performance, composition, musicology) and typically requires proficiency in performance of an instrument.

Find the four-year college and bachelor's degree that suit your interests, and lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning.


Robyn Tellefsen is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.

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