<p>In college I would like to major in Economics, I am looking at schools and am wondering whether to look for a BS or BA degree. My end goal is to have a successful career in business or to become a diplomat. Which degree would be better for me? (I also want to double major with a International Relations/Studies degree)</p>
<p>I have no input really. At my school the BS is more technical and the BA is not and requires three classes in a language. Maybe you should do the more technical one and then for the international relations major you most likely have to take a language in a country that you want to end up in later. That way you get a good mix of both the technical and nontechnical field.</p>
<p>BS Econ is a degree that will get you a job. BA Econ will, at best, get you into grad school.</p>
<p>Lots of people say that a BS degree in Econ is better than a BA degree. With BS degree you are easier to get a job</p>
<p>In response to: “BS Econ is a degree that will get you a job. BA Econ will, at best, get you into grad school.”</p>
<p>I’ve never once been asked by an employer or peer or anyone whether I was a BS or BA. They went through it, they know there’s a difference of maybe 2 classes.</p>
<p>Usually the degree requirements look something like: “Business, Economics, Technology, or similar field”. Quite general.</p>
<p>The idea that you would be at a job interview and get rejected because you have a BA in economics instead of a BS in economics is so… College. Not to mention I’ve seen BAs are one school with significantly harder requirements than a BS at the school next door.</p>
<p>No difference, nobody cares.</p>
<p>A BA in Economics with an applied math or statistics minor might even be better than just a BS in Economics.</p>
<p>I am usually on the engineering and science boards, but on the science boards, the “B.A. vs B.S.” topic comes up often. Let me say that, nowadays the line is much more blurry than it used to be. Some schools give a B.A. just for taking a year of foreign language (and maybe an extra Arts/Humanities course) WHILE STILL requiring the same number of courses in the major area.</p>
<p>Then the “name brand” of the school comes into play in some cases. A top-quality school like a Vanderbilt offers only a B.A. in many majors, but employers could care less.</p>
<p>Then sometimes the rankings can come into play also. I will use mathematics since that was my major but for a student wanting to do a masters in applied mathematics, UCLA has like the #2 graduate applied math program in the nation…and it offers a M.A. Before, you all say “don’t you need a PhD?”, it’s APPLIED mathematics which is highly sought after for immediate employment.</p>
<p>Point: I would not say there is a definitive line for “B.A. vs. B.S.”</p>
<p>Oh yeah…and what Skanowsky said was true also. One of the features of a B.A. program is to free up credits to take an applied/marketable specialty.</p>
<p>Well considering there is a BA and a BS there is a difference. Granted one involves a foreign language requirement and the other involves more math. I would go with the BS because it helps with your logically thinking and will help you in grad school if you chose to go for a masters in econ, if you don’t chose to go for a masters than you improved your thinking skills so there is no harm.</p>