Bachelor of Arts vs. Bachelor of Science 

Finding difficulty choosing between a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science? Then you are not alone; many like you often get confused between the best-fit undergraduate degree: BA or BSc. It is not just a decision between two letters: it is a choice that shapes the lens through which you will explore the world of knowledge. A BA  degree is all about literature, political science, sociology, and arts, which invites you to untangle the complexities of the human experience. On the other hand, the BSc is more about numbers and the wonders of the natural world, which opens doors to the realms of scientific discovery and technological innovation.

So, shall we dig deeper into the arena of humanities or shape our careers through the sciences? Whatever your decision, these undergraduate degree programs, if pursued from a leading university like Sikkim Manipal University, will lead you to a promising career. 

Continue reading for an in-depth comparison of BA and BSc programs and also to learn where to pursue it for the best career prospects. 

What is BA? 

Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a 3-year undergraduate degree program often chosen by those who wish to specialize in a specific subject. Some of the common subjects chosen by BA graduates to pursue a BA online are English, Political Science, Sociology, History, Psychology, Fine Arts, Philosophy, and so on. 

The basic curriculum included in a BA degree program may vary depending on the university, and the chosen subject. The main aim of a BA degree program is to align the students with their individual interests and career goals based on the subject they choose. A BA degree can be chosen by a student from any background in 11th and 12th- Science, Commerce or Arts.

What is a BSc? 

Bachelor of Science (BSc) is a 3-year undergraduate degree program preferred by people who have studied Science in classes 11th and 12th. Based on their particular interest and career goals, an individual can choose to pursue a BSc in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Zoology, Botany, Mathematics, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Health Sciences, and so on. 

The basic curriculum included in a BSc degree program emphasizes a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical applications, including experiments, laboratory work, and research projects. The main aim of a BSc program from a university like Sikkim Manipal University is to provide students with a solid foundation in scientific principles and methodologies within their chosen field. 

Duration: BA vs BSc 

Now, let us learn about the differences and similarities between BA and BSc degrees. Let us kickstart by first talking about the duration of the BA vs BSc degree program. Check out the table below to understand the course duration of Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BSc):

	BA Degree Course	BSc Degree Course
Course Duration	3 years	3 years

Eligibility criteria: BA vs. BSc 

Applying for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree program is not a big deal, provided the student meets the general eligibility criteria such as passing percentage of 12th class, a recognized board, and a particular stream of subjects. Various universities and institutions grant admission to keen students for BA and BSc degree programs based on these general eligibility criteria.

The table below highlights the main eligibility criteria to apply for a BA vs BSc degree program:

Parameters	BA Eligibility Criteria	BSc Eligibility Criteria
General Eligibility Criteria	Students must have completed 10+2 in any stream from a recognized board with at least 50%	Student must have completed 10+2 from the science stream with either PCM or PCMB from a recognized board with at least 50%
Subject-Specific Eligibility Criteria	Students must have studied English as a mandatory subject in 10+2	Student must have studied the mainstream subjects like physics, chemistry, biology, or math in their 10+2

Note: The eligibility criteria are subject to variation with program and university

Career options: BA vs. BSc

Making the right choice: BA vs. BSc will be much easier once you understand the career options open after pursuing these degree programs. Options are galore when it comes to considering high-paying jobs after an online BA program from SMU. Similarly, a BSc graduate can get several interesting job opportunities in different sectors of the economy. 

Remember that the career paths after a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) can differ based on the focus of the degree. The table below gives a short comparison of BA and BSc programs based on the career options:

Careers after Bachelor of Arts (BA)	Careers after Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Education: Several BA graduates enjoy a booming career as a teacher or lecturers in their respective subjects such as English, Social Science, or History	Information Technology: BSc graduates in computer science can turn up as excellent software developers, data analysts, and IT consultants
Business Administration: BA graduates may find good jobs as managers and administrators in different businesses	Engineering: BSc graduates in computer science, physics, or chemistry can make a career as developers, researchers, and technicians
Communications and Media: There are bright chances for BA graduates to excel in fields like journalism, public relations, and content creation	Healthcare: BSc graduates in biology, chemistry, or pre-medical fields can make a career as medical researchers, pharmaceutical, and healthcare professionals
Government and Public Policy: Online BA Pol Science graduates can get excellent job opportunities in government agencies, international and non-profit organizations	Science and Technology: Those who pursue a BSc in chemistry, physics, or biology can end up getting the highest-paying jobs as researchers, developers, and technicians
Social Services: Online BA in Sociology graduates can fetch interesting jobs as social workers and social counselors	Mathematics and Statistics: BSc graduates in mathematics and statistics can enjoy a promising career as data analysts, finance specialists, and researchers

Top career options after BA

Believe it or not, there are endless job opportunities open for a BA graduate, and most of these are offered by the highest-ranking industries. From a counselor, editor, writer, psychologist, political consultant, economist, and linguist to an HR manager, you can grab the top-paying online BA jobs with varying salary prospects. 

Have a look at the top 5 career prospects after a BA degree course from a prestigious university like Sikkim Manipal University:

Job Profile	Job Description	Approximate Salary
Human Resource Manager	Establishing employee and employer relationships with strong communication and interpersonal skills	INR 10 lakh – INR 12 lakh per annum
Content Writer	Creating engaging content for websites, blogs, marketing collateral, and social media	INR 6,70,995 per annum
Political Consultant	Navigating through the political world through campaigning, public relations, and advocacy skills	INR 7 lakh per annum
Psychologist	Studying human behavior and helping individuals overcome their psychological challenges	INR 4 lakh per annum
Digital Marketing Manager	Responsible for developing and executing online marketing strategies for an organization	INR 7,50,000 per annum

Top career options after BSc

The career scope after a BSc program is quite diverse and depends majorly on the field an individual chooses within the BSc program. A majority of BSc graduates end up becoming successful researchers, developers, engineers, healthcare professionals, teachers, technicians, environmentalists, and psychologists. 

Have a look at the top 5 career prospects after an online BSc degree course:

Job Profile	Job Description	Approximate Salary
Software Developer	Responsible for developing innovative software programs	INR 5 lakh – INR 13 lakh per annum
Healthcare Professional	Work as a medical laboratory technologist or healthcare consultant	INR 6.7 lakh per annum
Data Analyst	Analyzes and interprets data across different industries	INR 6 lakh per annum
Research Scientist	Responsible for investigation and experimentation in an organization	INR 9.7 lakh per annum
Academician	Sharing knowledge to help students grasp different concepts	INR 14.5 lakh per annum

BA vs. BSc: What’s best for you? 

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) are like two flavors of an academic ice cream cone. BA is like a sundae of humanities and social sciences, while BSc is a sorbet of math and science. The choice between BA and BSc depends on your taste buds – which subjects appeal to you and will help you in your career goals. 

The table below highlights the main points of comparisons between BA and BSc degree programs for you to make an informed decision:

Parameters	BA Degree Course	BSc Degree Course
Focus	Humanities and Social Sciences	Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Core Subjects	Literature, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, History and Fine Arts	Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics
Skills Developed	Communication and critical thinking	Problem-solving, analytical, and research
Approach	Broad and general	Specialized and technical
Career Paths/ Scope	Writing, teaching, social services, HR manager, PR  manager, and so on	Engineer, data analyst, software developer, teacher, researcher, etc
Research Orientation	Emphasis on qualitative research	Emphasis on quantitative research
Flexibility	More flexible in terms of course selection	Specialized curriculum

Conclusion 

To conclude, consider your strengths, interests, and career path when making this crucial decision of choosing between an online BA and BSc degree program from a recognized university like Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) through the Online Manipal platform. If you are drawn to literature, history, and a broader understanding of society, a BA degree program might be your best choice. On the other hand, if you are passionate about sciences, specialized knowledge, and mathematics, then go for a BSc program. Remember, both degrees can lead to successful and fulfilling careers if pursued by a good university.