Definition

• A bachelor's degree is an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course of study (called a major) that typically lasts for four years. It is the most common college degree and requires a total of about 120 credits, although that varies by university.
  
  

Economic benefits

• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average lifetime earnings of someone with a bachelor's degree is $2.1 million. A high school graduate can expect to earn $1.2 million over his or her lifetime, while a person holding an associate's degree can expect average lifetime earnings of $1.6 million.
  
  

Other benefits

• Those with bachelor's degrees have higher savings because of their higher incomes, engage in more hobbies, and participate in more leisure activities, according to "Reaping the Benefits," a report by the Institute of Higher Education Policy. The report said college graduates visited art museums three times more than high school graduates, they went to 20 percent more sporting events, and were 20 percent more likely to play sports and exercise.
  
  

Skills

• The skills necessary to succeed in college and earn a bachelor's degree are time management, responsibility, critical thinking skills, ability to communicate--translate well into the working world.
  
  

Considerations

• Degrees from accredited colleges and universities are typically valued higher than degrees from schools that are not accredited because of the standards they must meet.