Getting a Second Bachelor’s Degree

If you feel like your career has plateaued, earning a second bachelor’s degree may open the door to advancement opportunities or allow you to transition into a new field entirely.

In today’s job market, unfortunately one bachelor’s degree is often the minimum requirement. A second degree can demonstrate to employers that you have invested in building a broader educational foundation and that you are serious about pursuing long-term growth. 

All of this being said, a second bachelor’s degree isn’t the only way to update your skills. Alternatives like graduate programs, professional certifications, or industry-specific bootcamps can sometimes be a quicker or more cost-effective option. Later in this guide, we’ll compare these paths so you can make an informed choice.

Best Reasons to Get a Second Bachelor’s Degree

While continuing your education can take many forms, pursuing a second bachelor’s degree can offer distinct benefits depending on your goals. Here are some common scenarios where a second undergraduate degree may be worthwhile:

• If your career goals require it. Some professions, like nursing, engineering, or teaching, may require specific undergraduate coursework before you can qualify for licensure or certification. If you are interested in one of these professions but don’t have a related undergraduate degree, you may need to get a secondary degree related to this interest.
• If you want to enter a new career field. For example, someone with a psychology degree may return to school for computer science to pursue roles in software engineering.
• If you need to raise your GPA. A second bachelor’s program can give you an opportunity to transfer credits and improve your academic standing.
• If your original degree has become outdated. This is common in fields like computer science, data science, and information systems, where technology evolves rapidly.
• If you have strong work experience but lack formal credentials. A second degree can provide the credential needed for advancement into management or leadership roles.
• If a master’s degree is too costly or time-intensive. A second bachelor’s may offer a shorter or more affordable route to new opportunities.
• If you want a broader curriculum. A second bachelor’s typically requires fewer specialized courses than a master’s, which may be appealing if you prefer a wider range of subjects.

Reasons Not to Get a Second Bachelor’s Degree

A second bachelor’s degree can be the right move for some students, but it’s not always the fastest or most affordable path. Consider these drawbacks before you commit:

• You may take on additional debt. Federal Direct Loans are available to eligible undergraduates but are capped by annual and lifetime (aggregate) limits, which include what you already borrowed for your first degree.
• Grants are limited after your first bachelor’s. Federal Pell Grants are generally not available if you already hold a bachelor’s degree, with a narrow exception for certain post‑baccalaureate teacher certification programs.
• It can take longer than a master’s program. Many master’s degrees require about 30–60 credits, which can be completed faster than earning the additional 30+ undergraduate credits many schools require for a second bachelor’s.
• There may be cheaper, targeted alternatives. Depending on your goal, a master’s degree, post‑bacc certificate, professional certification, or an industry bootcamp could help you qualify for roles with fewer credits and at a lower total cost.
• Program availability varies by school. Not all colleges offer second bachelor’s pathways in every major.
• No guaranteed outcomes. A second degree may improve your qualifications, but outcomes depend on your experience, market demand, and the roles you pursue.

Universities Offering Second Bachelor’s Degree Programs

Second-bachelor’s rules vary by school and department. Typical requirements include a minimum GPA, at least 30 new credits, and program-specific prerequisites. Below are example universities that accept second-degree applicants.

• New York University (NYU) — NYU offers second-degree pathways in nursing and engineering. NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing admits second-degree students through an Accelerated 15-Month BS and a Second Degree Transfer track with advanced standing/prerequisites.
  
• Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) — Second-degree admission generally requires a minimum 2.5 GPA and completion of at least 30 new credits in residence at New Brunswick. The second major must be distinct from your first degree.
  
• University of South Alabama (USA) — Second-bachelor’s applicants must submit official transcripts; minimum cumulative GPA 2.0 is required for admission.
  
• University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) — A second bachelor’s requires a minimum of 30 semester hours at UIC; it’s generally not permitted when there is substantial overlap with your first degree’s coursework.
  
• Oregon State University (OSU) — Post-baccalaureate (second-degree) admission is department-determined; minimum 2.25 GPA; you cannot earn the post-bacc in the same field as your original degree.

If you don’t live near your chosen school or need more flexibility, some universities, such as Oregon State Ecampus, also offer online second-bachelor’s options.

Financial Aid for a Second Bachelor’s Degree

Quick answer: If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you typically won’t qualify for Federal Pell Grants, except in a narrow case for certain post-baccalaureate teacher certification/licensure programs. You may qualify for federal student loans (up to undergraduate aggregate limits) and, depending on need and school funding, Federal Work-Study.

Federal Student Loans

You can apply for Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans for a second bachelor’s until you reach the federal aggregate limits (dependent undergrads: $31,000 total; independent undergrads: $57,500 total; no more than $23,000 may be subsidized). If your second-degree program requires a prior associate or bachelor’s degree for admission (common in post-bacc/second-degree pathways), schools use the “third-year and beyond” annual loan limits for packaging.

Tip: Check your remaining eligibility against the aggregate limits before enrolling so you know how much federal loan room you still have.

Scholarships

Second-degree students can receive scholarships, but eligibility varies by scholarship and school. Review each program’s criteria to confirm it accepts post-baccalaureate or second-degree applicants. For those preparing to teach in high-need fields at low-income schools, the federal TEACH Grant can provide up to $4,000 per year in grant aid (with a service obligation and potential conversion to a loan if requirements aren’t met).

Work-Study

If you qualify based on financial need and your school has funds, Federal Work-Study (FWS) can place you in part-time roles on or off campus; jobs are scheduled around classes. You’re paid regularly (hourly for undergraduates), and FWS wages must be at least the federal minimum wage, or higher if your state/local minimum is higher.

Highest-Paid Careers for Bachelor’s Degree Graduates

Below are high-paying roles that typically require at least a bachelor’s degree, with median pay from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Figures are national medians; actual salaries vary by industry, location, and experience.

• Computer and Information Systems Managers — $171,200¹
• Architectural and Engineering Managers — $167,740²
• Financial Managers — $161,700³
• Natural Sciences Managers — $161,180⁴
• Marketing Managers — $157,620⁵
• Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers — $219,140;⁶ Commercial Pilots — $113,080.⁷ (Airline pilots typically need a bachelor’s degree plus FAA licenses; commercial pilots do not usually require a bachelor’s.)
• Petroleum Engineers — $141,280⁸
• Human Resources Managers — $140,030⁹
• Compensation and Benefits Managers — $140,360¹⁰
• Software Developers — $1331,450¹¹

Alternatives to Getting a Second Bachelor’s Degree

If a second bachelor’s isn’t required by job postings or licensure in your target field, consider these faster or more targeted paths instead. Use the quick rule of thumb: if postings ask for a specific bachelor’s major, a second bachelor’s degree may be necessary; if they accept any bachelor’s plus skills or a credential, an advanced degree, certificate, bootcamp, or certification could be more efficient.

Master’s Degrees

A master’s degree is usually the best option if you’re staying in the same or a closely related field and want advanced depth. Most master’s programs require about 30–60 credits, often completed in 1–2 years full time, depending on prerequisites and pace. Outcomes vary by program, so confirm admission requirements and any prerequisite leveling you may need.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificates

Post-bacc or graduate certificates can help you meet prerequisites, add a specialized skillset, or strengthen your transcript for graduate school, typically with fewer credits than a full degree. Many universities set minimums like 12 credits (and some capstone certificates run 9–16 credits), which can often be finished in under a year.

Bootcamps (Tech & Related Fields)

Bootcamps teach job-focused skills (e.g., software, data, cybersecurity) in a short, structured format. A common full-time program length is about 12 weeks, financing options frequently include installment plans, loans, scholarships, and some deferred options.

Professional Certifications

Industry certifications validate specific competencies through an exam, and can be combined with your existing degree for targeted roles. Examples include CompTIA Security+ (cybersecurity), PMI CAPM (project management), and AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (cloud fundamentals). Requirements and prep time vary by credential, so make sure that you check the official exam outlines and policies before you register.

Is Getting a Second Bachelor’s Degree Worth It?

Short answer: It’s worth it when job postings (or licensure rules) specifically require a bachelor’s in the new field and you need undergraduate prerequisites to qualify. It’s usually not the most efficient route if postings accept any bachelor’s plus skills, a certificate, or a master’s. In those cases, compare time, credits, and total cost across alternatives before you enroll.

A quick decision framework

• Do postings require a specific major? If most roles name a particular bachelor’s (e.g., BSN for nursing), a second BA/BS can be the most direct path. Accelerated second-degree options exist in some fields, such as NYU’s 15-month BS in Nursing for bachelor’s-holders with prerequisites.
• How many new credits will you need? Many schools require at least 30 new credits in residence for a second bachelor’s, which often means ~2+ years full time depending on transfer rules.
• Would a master’s be faster? Potentially, yes. Typical master’s programs require ~30–60 credits and take ~1.5–2 years full time, which can actually be shorter than completing all second-bachelor’s requirements if you already meet the grad prerequisites.
• What’s the funding reality? With a prior bachelor’s, you generally won’t qualify for Pell Grants (except for a narrow post-baccalaureate teacher certification case). You may still borrow Direct Loans up to the undergraduate aggregate limits you haven’t already used.
• Are there any program restrictions? Some schools don’t allow substantial overlap between your first and second degrees, which can affect your eligibility and your time to completion.

Practical next step: Scan 5–10 current postings in your target field. If  over 75% require a specific bachelor’s major, a second BA/BS likely aligns. If postings accept any bachelor’s plus skills or a credential, compare a master’s, post-bacc certificate, bootcamp, or industry certification on credits, cost, and hiring fit. Then check your remaining federal loan eligibility before committing.

Getting a Second Bachelor’s Degree FAQ

Sources:

1. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm
2. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/architectural-and-engineering-managers.htm
3. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm
4. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/natural-sciences-managers.htm
5. https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes112021.htm
6. https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes532011.htm
7. https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes532012.htm
8. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/petroleum-engineers.htm
9. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm
10. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/compensation-and-benefits-managers.htm
11. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm