04-30-2013, 10:24 AM
JohnnyHeck's view of a BA vs. BS is pretty much the same one I had as well. I thought the STEM degrees earned a BS and the "easier" degrees earned a BA. That isn't how it works. Pretty much everyone else that has already posted got it right. Practically there isn't a difference, but where there is one, it comes down to the number of liberal arts courses vs. non-liberal arts courses (and natural science courses are liberal arts courses).
With all of that said, if you are getting a degree in a STEM field then a BS might serve you a tiny bit better, because I'm sure that JohnnyHeck and I are not the only ones who associate a BS degree with STEM fields. If you are trying to get a STEM job and have a BA instead of a BS, an employer might find it a little odd. On the other hand, if you have a BS in English instead of a BA then the person reviewing your resume/grad application might find that a little odd.
With all of that said, if you are getting a degree in a STEM field then a BS might serve you a tiny bit better, because I'm sure that JohnnyHeck and I are not the only ones who associate a BS degree with STEM fields. If you are trying to get a STEM job and have a BA instead of a BS, an employer might find it a little odd. On the other hand, if you have a BS in English instead of a BA then the person reviewing your resume/grad application might find that a little odd.