Is Getting a Second Bachelor’s Degree Worth It?

Whether you’re looking to change careers or want in-depth knowledge on a number of subjects, earning a second bachelor’s degree could be a good fit. Bachelor’s degree programs help you gain a wealth of information that can prepare you for entry-level and management positions across a variety of fields.

To see if earning two bachelor's degrees is right for you, consider the potential benefits and logistics.

Can You Get Two Bachelor’s Degrees?

You can — and some people do. Earning a second bachelor's degree can give you a broader educational foundation that may set you apart when applying for jobs or graduate school. It can also help you start a new career path.

“If a student decides to do a second bachelor’s degree, I think it would give much more knowledge to make them more rounded academically and professionally,” said Ryan Chapman, a career advisor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

If you're thinking about a second bachelor's degree, you have a few options. The options depend on whether you already have your first degree or not — and how much time and resources you're willing to dedicate.

How Does a Second Bachelor’s Degree Work?

If you have already graduated with your first bachelor's degree, you might choose to return for a second. Some students return to school years later, after deciding to pursue a new career path or needing a specific type of bachelor's degree for admittance into a graduate degree program.

Other students decide to complete the coursework for two bachelor’s degrees simultaneously. Earning your degrees simultaneously can work especially well if your degrees are in a similar line of study, said Chapman.

“I would tell students to choose a second bachelor’s degree if it complements their other bachelor's degree,” he said. “For example, if a business student is looking for a career in the business world, they may choose a second degree like IT because both knowledge bases would complement one another.”

While some may add a concentration or a minor to their program to satisfy additional interests, pursuing a second program altogether just makes sense for others.

Daniel Sylvester '23 transferred to SNHU after his stepmother started working at the university. "I went on campus and loved it so much I signed up for a second (major)," he said.

He ended up earning a bachelor's in environmental science with a double major in biology to expand his career opportunities.

"I've always been very involved and interested in science and STEM, and having these credentials will allow me to work both in a laboratory environment and in a more outdoors, ecologically geared environment," Sylvester said. "Having both of those options was very important to me. It's why I double majored."

Dual Degree vs. Double Major

If you're earning your two degrees simultaneously, you may have two options: a dual degree or a double major. Be sure to take note of their differences.

Double majors, sometimes referred to as second majors, result in one degree with both majors noted on a transcript. If you have free elective credits available, you may be able to use these toward a second major.

A dual degree, also known as an additional degree, leads to two separate diplomas. At the bachelor's level, a dual degree requires 30 additional, unique credits on top of the typical 120-credit bachelor's program.

Because a dual degree has unique credit requirements, the subjects can't overlap. For instance, you might be able to earn a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in a dual degree program, but you can't pursue two Bachelor of Arts degrees. Be sure to ask your academic advisor about any unique requirements or eligibility at your school, in your program or related to your particular situation.

If you're considering a dual degree, it may be recommended that you wait until you're nearing the end of your first program to start your second one.

Read more: Dual Degree vs. Double Major: What's the Difference?

Can You Get Financial Aid for a Second Bachelor’s Degree?

How you pay for a second bachelor’s degree, and whether financial aid is available, depends on your personal financial aid history.

Students earning undergraduate degrees are eligible for federal student loans, but there are limits on how much you can borrow annually and in total throughout your academic career, according to the Federal Student Aid Office in the Department of Education. If you already met your total borrowing limit while earning your first bachelor’s degree, you may not qualify for additional loans.

However, there are other ways to pay for a second bachelor’s degree. Undergraduate students may be eligible for the federal work-study program, private loans and even scholarships from their university and private or nonprofit organizations.

You may also qualify for tuition assistance or reimbursement from your employer, particularly if a second undergraduate degree would benefit your current position.

Should You Earn a Second Bachelor’s Degree or a Master’s Degree?

If you’re considering a second degree, it’s important to review all of your educational options. While a second undergraduate degree might be the best fit, Chapman said many students might see a bigger benefit by moving into a master’s degree program.

“I think it makes a lot more sense for students to pursue a master’s degree over a bachelor’s degree,” he said. “It is a higher-level degree that may make them more marketable.”

Master’s degrees have been shown to improve lifetime earnings, too.* Master’s degree holders earned a median weekly salary of $1,840 in 2024, compared to $1,543 for bachelor’s degree holders, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).*

Still, there may be times when earning a second bachelor’s degree is the best option.

A bachelor’s degree may be the education you need to start a new career path, particularly if the subject is very different from your first undergraduate degree.

Take Gina Cramer '18, for instance.

"My first bachelor's degree and my master's are actually in teaching," she said. "I had chosen early childhood, and then when I did my master's, my concentration was technology. So I've always ... wanted to get into technology somehow."

While in her 30s, Cramer decided to pursue the field in earnest by earning a second bachelor's degree — this time in cybersecurity. She's since built a career as a security analyst and, in addition to her full-time job, teaches tech at a community college.

"Hopefully, I can impart some good knowledge on them," she said.

You may also need specific undergraduate coursework before earning a master’s degree in a new field, or you may simply want the opportunity to dive deep into more than one field of study to boost your credentials and knowledge for your desired career.

Read more: What is the Difference Between Bachelor's and Master's Degrees?

So, is a Second Bachelor’s Degree Worth It?

Depending on your individual circumstances, earning a second bachelor's degree could be worthwhile. A decision to can help you gain knowledge or training in a new area — either simultaneously with your first bachelor's degree, or years later if a master's degree isn't part of your plan.

But it's just one option for you to consider. You could also pursue a specialized certificate or a degree at a different level. Or, if you're still in school, you could talk to your advisor about adding a concentration or minor that allows you to explore both interests.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Danielle Gagnon is a freelance writer focused on higher education. She started her career working as an education reporter for a daily newspaper in New Hampshire, where she reported on local schools and education policy. Gagnon served as the communications manager for a private school in Boston, MA before later starting her freelance writing career. Today, she continues to share her passion for education as a writer for Southern New Hampshire University. Connect with her on LinkedIn.