Is a second bachelor’s degree worth it?

By: The Strayer University Editorial Team

Reading Time: 4 minutes

If you already have a college degree, going back to school as an adult raises an important question: Should you earn a graduate credential, or does a second bachelor’s make more sense?

While a master’s degree might seem like the natural next step, it isn’t always a good fit. Depending on your professional goals and the specific industry you want to enter, starting a new bachelor’s program can often be the most practical, strategic choice.

The right path depends on your current situation, your long-term goals and the best way to prepare for a career change.

Start with your target career goal

Before choosing a program, focus on the specific role you want – not just the next credential on the ladder. Ask yourself:

• Are you hoping to gain additional competencies in your current field?
• Are you trying to figure out how to switch careers into a completely different industry?
• Do your ideal roles require specific technical skills or professional prerequisites?

If your goal is growth within your current industry, a master’s degree is often a direct route to advancing your expertise and career. However, if you’re looking to move into a new field, another undergraduate degree could be worth considering.

Why a second bachelor’s can be ideal for a career pivot

One of the primary reasons adult students pursue another degree is to launch a career in an entirely new field.

Your first degree likely provided valuable critical thinking skills, but transitioning into technical fields like information technology, accounting or business administration requires a new toolkit. While a graduate program often requires you to already possess these core concepts, a second bachelor’s degree offers the structured, step-by-step foundation needed to build that skill set from square one.

Navigating prerequisites and admissions

While some graduate programs accept students from diverse academic backgrounds, others require strict prerequisite coursework or professional experience.

If you lack that preparation, you may face a choice: Is it more efficient to take standalone prerequisite courses to qualify for a master’s program, or will an additional undergraduate program offer a more cohesive curriculum for your goals?

The right choice depends on how much foundational knowledge you need and how much your new field differs from your original degree.

How transfer credits impact your time and cost

Pursuing another bachelor’s doesn’t necessarily mean starting your college journey from scratch. Because you already hold a degree, some of your general education and elective transfer credits may apply, which could reduce the number of courses required to graduate. Whether and how your credits will transfer is up to the institution receiving those credits. You’ll need to check with them for eligibility.

To determine the most practical route for going back to college, consider asking an admissions officer the following questions:

• How many of my previous transfer credits are eligible to apply to this program?
• How many courses would I need to complete this specific degree?
• What are the estimated time and cost differences between this program and a master’s program?
• Does my current employer offer tuition assistance for undergraduate or graduate programs?

Note on financial aid: 

Funding options and eligibility can vary substantially between undergraduate and graduate programs. It’s important to consult with financial aid teams to fully understand your options before enrolling.

Whether you’re looking to pursue roles in a high-demand field or gain essential technical skills for a career change, a new path is within reach. Explore Strayer University bachelor’s degree programs today to find the right fit for your future goals.

FAQs

Should I get a second bachelor’s or a master’s degree to change careers?

It depends on how big of a shift you want to make. Another bachelor’s offers the fundamentals of a new field from the ground up, which can be beneficial for a major career pivot. A master’s degree, on the other hand, usually builds on what you already know and focuses on advanced, higher-level skills in a similar industry.

Can I earn a second bachelor’s degree online?

Many universities offer fully online programs for students pursuing a new major. Strayer’s online programs are built with working adults in mind, allowing you to log in and complete your coursework on a flexible schedule that fits around your job and family commitments.

How do transfer credits work for another undergraduate degree?

Since you already graduated college once, you don’t have to start all over again. Your previous general education and elective credits may be eligible to transfer over. While every school evaluates credits differently, bringing your existing classes with you can reduce the number of courses you need to take.