Diploma vs. Degree and Associate Degree vs. Bachelor's

Thinking about enrolling in a diploma or degree program? If so, you’re already taking a crucial step toward bettering yourself, furthering your education, and potentially improving your career trajectory. At the same time, selecting the program that’s ideal for you isn’t always straightforward. With so many options, how can you know which program will be best suited to your interests, strengths, and professional goals?

At Bryant & Stratton College, we’re proud to offer a wide range of diploma and degree programs across a number of industries. Many of these programs have been specifically designed to be “stackable,” meaning that you have the opportunity to work your way up from a diploma to an associate degree or even a bachelor’s degree.

First, it’s essential to understand some key differences between a diploma, an associate degree, and a bachelor’s degree. From there, you can embark on your educational journey with confidence.

What Is a Diploma?

Before diving into the differences between a diploma and a degree, let’s start with a basic definition of a diploma and all that it entails.

Define Diploma

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a diploma refers to “a document bearing record of graduation from or of a degree conferred by an educational institution.” In this sense, a student can receive a diploma from a high school, college, university, or any other educational facility that has the power to issue them.

It is also worth noting that the word “diploma” is often used to refer to the physical piece of paper a graduate receives from a school after completing a program. With this said, for instance, some people may frame their bachelor’s degree diploma and hang it up on the wall.

High School Diploma

A high school diploma is a common type of diploma that certifies a student has fulfilled all requirements set forth by the school and/or district. While the specific requirements to earn a high school diploma can vary by state and jurisdiction, they typically include earning a certain number of credit hours. Many students use a high school diploma to gain entry into a technical school, college, or university.

College Diploma

A college diploma, on the other hand, is a document certifying that a student has completed all the requirements of a certificate, diploma, or degree program at a specific college or university. Compared to a high school diploma that involves more general education courses, a college diploma tends to be more focused on a specific field of study.

College diplomas typically refer to a program of study that is shorter and more specialized. They frequently focus on hand-on practical training for a particular career or field.

Diploma vs. Degree

What’s the difference between diplomas and degrees, anyway? Ultimately, the most important distinction here is that a diploma can be used to refer to paper proof of a student’s successful completion of any program of study — whether that program is at the high school or college level. A degree, however, refers to a specific type of program that can differ greatly in terms of length and credit hour requirements.

When comparing college level programs, the difference between a diploma and degree is the time & money invested, as well as the focus of the program. A diploma program will usually be shorter and less expensive than a degree, and courses will prioritize practical skills for your career with fewer general education courses.

Associate Degree vs. Bachelor’s Degree

There are many different types of degrees, ranging from associate degrees all the way up to doctoral degrees. Here, we’ll focus exclusively on the differences between associate and bachelor’s degrees.

In simplest terms, an associate degree is the first level of degree program that is offered at most colleges. A bachelor’s degree refers to the next level of degree.

Both associate and bachelor’s degrees are referred to as undergraduate degrees to differentiate them from graduate degrees, like master’s or doctoral degrees, which are advanced degrees that build on undergraduate programs.

What Is an Associate Degree?

In simplest terms, an associate degree is a higher education program that is designed to be completed after high school and before a bachelor’s degree. These programs are meant to be completed in about two years and consist of about 60 credit hours, though this can differ slightly from one program to the next.

What Is a Bachelor’s Degree?

A bachelor’s degree is designed to be completed after high school (or after an associate degree) but before a master’s degree. These types of degree programs typically take around four years to complete and often comprise around 120 credit hours.

Notes for Grammar Sticklers

If you’ve done a fair amount of research into different degree programs, there’s a good chance you’ve seen degrees referred to as “associate,” “associate’s,” “bachelor,” and “bachelor’s,” with various other combinations of punctuation. You may even have seen these terms capitalized in some cases. So, what’s with all the different spellings and capitalizations?

Typically, degrees are only capitalized if they’re referring to the specific, formal program name (e.g., “Bachelor of Arts” or “Associate of Science”). Additionally, associate degrees should technically not be written as possessive or ended with an apostrophe and “s,” whereas general references to bachelor’s and master’s degrees are indicated as such (and not capitalized). To illustrate, here are a few example phrases using degree titles correctly:

• associate degree in criminal justice
• bachelor’s degree in nursing
• Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Regardless of spelling and punctuation, associate and bachelor’s degrees have their own distinct requirements:

Which Type Is Right for You? Four Considerations

Choosing between different degree types can be a big decision. Fortunately, by keeping these four core considerations in mind, you can more confidently choose which type of program may be best for you.

1. Educational Focus

First, consider the differences in focus between a diploma program, an associate degree, and a bachelor’s degree. Generally, a diploma program will be the most career-focused, providing students with the most foundational knowledge and skills that they need to enter their field of choice. In comparison, an associate or bachelor’s degree may include more general education and/or liberal arts courses with a broader focus.

2. Program Duration and Time Commitment

In addition, consider how long you’re prepared to spend in school in order to achieve your professional goals. If your main priority is to land a job in your chosen field of study, then a shorter program (like a diploma program or associate degree program) may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you don’t mind spending more time in school up-front, completing a bachelor’s degree program could set you up for better career opportunities.

3. Cost and Financial Investment

Cost is another critical factor for many students. A diploma or associate degree program will typically be the most affordable in terms of tuition fees because there are fewer credit hours required to complete these programs. However, if you’re interested in a bachelor’s degree, financial aid may be available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans to make paying for school more feasible.

4. Career Goals and Degree Requirements

When deciding which type of higher education program is right for you, keep your long-term career trajectory top of mind. Some careers, for example, may require even entry-level workers to possess a minimum of a related associate or bachelor’s degree. However, there are also diploma and degree programs designed for careers that may not always require a certain level of education.

Still, it is worth noting that having a specialized degree can be a key differentiator in a competitive job market. By holding a higher degree than what is strictly required in your field, you may be able to set yourself apart from other job applicants and get a step ahead.

Transferability and Skill-Building

Finally, consider the potential transferability of the program when it comes to your long-term skill-building and career advancement. For instance, many of the programs offered at Bryant & Stratton College are designed to be stackable — meaning that students can use diploma/associate degree programs as a steppingstone to more advanced programs. In this sense, a diploma program can be an excellent starting point for those who want to gain some knowledge and practical experience before working their way up professionally and academically.

FAQs About Diplomas, Associate, and Bachelor’s Degrees

Got questions? We have answers! Explore some of our most asked questions about diplomas and degree programs:

Is a degree higher than a diploma?

Technically, yes. An associate or bachelor’s degree requires a higher level of education (and more credit hours) than a diploma program. Many students will start off with a diploma program and then work their way up to an associate or a bachelor’s degree, though a diploma alone may be enough to find entry-level work in your field.

Which is better, associate or bachelor’s degree?

Ultimately, no degree is inherently better or worse than any other degree. Although a bachelor’s degree is technically a higher degree than an associate degree (and may be required for certain career paths), the option that is best for you will boil down to various factors — including your professional goals and how much time you’re willing to spend in school.

Do bachelor’s get paid more than associate?

Yes, but this can vary greatly from one field to the next. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), “The median earnings of bachelor’s degree completers were 35% higher than the median earnings of associate degree completers.”

Does your diploma say your degree?

Yes, a diploma typically lists not just your name but also the name of the specific program completed. The purpose of a diploma is to certify that you’ve completed a course of study, whether that program was a diploma/certificate program or an associate/bachelor’s degree.

Start Your Diploma or Degree Journey at Bryant & Stratton College

For more than 170 years, Bryant & Stratton College has been serving students with an extensive selection of diploma programs, associate degree programs, and bachelor’s degree programs. No matter if you decide to start with a diploma or work your way up to a bachelor’s degree, we offer plenty of stackable programs to help you meet your professional goals. And with plenty of online degrees, in-person programs, and part-time options to choose from, you can find the program that best suits your life and schedule.

Explore our range of diplomas and degree programs today, or get in touch to learn more about our offerings. Ready to take the next step? You can start filling out your free online application for admission!