The U.S. educational system is among the best in the world. Students who study in the USA are able to become more knowledgeable and make meaningful contributions to fields directly related to their field. Innovation, quality learning, and world-class excellence are all hallmarks of higher education in the United States. Your bachelor’s degree from the USA will equip you with the essential skills to stand on equal footing with any candidate and the experience to stand out in just about any country you go to. 

What Degrees Are Available in the USA? 

The bachelor’s degree is the first degree you can pursue in higher education. Both before and after, however, you have plenty of options to choose from. Different levels of education in the U.S. include: 

• High School Diploma: High school is what would be referred to in other countries as Secondary School. Upon completion of secondary school, you can choose to continue your education at Community College or University. 

• Associate’s Degree: Often associated with the 2+2 program option, community college often serves as a bridge between high school and fully committing to a four-year university. An associate’s degree can provide you with college credits before attending university.  

• Bachelor’s Degree: The equivalent to an international post-secondary degree, your Bachelor’s Degree is the first degree you can pursue in higher education. With this level of education, you can pursue most jobs and will have the competitive advantage to stand on par with most other candidates for entry-level positions. 

• Master’s Degree: Master’s students are pursuing postgraduate degrees that would make them specialists in their fields. You must first complete an undergraduate (Bachelor’s) education before you can pursue your Master’s degree. 

• Doctorate Degree: Doctorate degrees are the highest level of degree that you can earn. You are a true master in your area of expertise. This degree often requires several years to complete, providing a rigorous educational experience. 

Benefits of Getting Your Bachelor’s Degree in the USA

A post-secondary degree from the United States carries weight on an international scale. Having studied in the U.S. will give you name recognition wherever you go, as well as a plethora of benefits that you can leverage to open opportunities to further your career. 

Networking: A primary benefit of getting your bachelor’s degree in the USA would be networking. Studying in the U.S. offers networking opportunities, often through the university you choose to attend. The connections you’re able to make can lead to future internships, job opportunities, and business partners at leading companies in the United States. The people you meet often go on to become mentors, friends, and even valuable assets for your career. 

Research Opportunities: As part of your bachelor’s degree, many universities and programs allow you to do field research alongside your professors. These experiences develop a deep understanding of your study material, and place you at the forefront of developing discoveries. Working alongside the most brilliant minds in your field can be a great way to gain exposure of what your future can look like. Not only that, building relationships with professors can lead to future referrals or work-study opportunities down the road. 

Flexibility: There are few other places in the world where your undergraduate degree gives you the flexibility to change your major after you’ve started. The first two years of your post-secondary education allow you to take courses in a variety of fields, and truly get a sense of where your interests lie. If you started as a pre-med major, but decide that you’re called to do business — you can do that. If you aren’t yet sure what you want to do but are afraid of wasting your time, starting your bachelor’s in the U.S. is the perfect option. Core classes have to be taken by every student, and are usually intermingled with your primary major. However, you can choose to take these together and continue to make progress as you find what you’d like to pursue. 

Build Your Own Path: Flexibility in a post-secondary education comes in many forms. Just as you have the ability to change your major, you can also customize it to become a wholly unique experience that’s exclusive to you. Looking to pursue marketing with a focus on real-world interactions? Combine your major in marketing with a minor in communications. Or would you rather mingle in international business? Doing a general business major with a minor in foreign language will prepare you for just that. There are any number of combinations you can choose to get the most out of your educational experience. 

Excellence: The U.S. is home to some of the most highly-acclaimed universities in the world. From name recognition to national standing, the U.S. boasts over five times as many Top 100 Universities as any other country in the world. Holding more than half the spots in the rankings, your options for study are vast, and not limited to just one location. 

Acclimation: If you’re looking to establish yourself in the U.S. for the long-term, as many students do, experiencing American culture through your undergraduate studies in the U.S. will go a long way in making that process more seamless. Understanding American culture is a useful asset in many fields and learning the habits, tendencies, and cultural norms of American people can only be done through experience. 

What Can You Do With Your Bachelor’s Degree? 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, between 2010 to 2019, the percentage of people aged 25 and older with a bachelor’s degree went from 29.9% to 36%. Competition is fast increasing, and the number of qualified candidates that are setting themselves apart through their education are becoming even greater. Your bachelor’s degree will prove that you are the authentic article, with the credentials to support your claim. Being marketable in this ever-competitive landscape can be the difference between landing a job, and not even being considered. 

With a bachelor’s degree from the U.S., your earning potential increases exponentially, as well as the trajectory your career can take. The average salary of someone with a bachelor’s degree is almost twice that of someone with only a high school diploma, and noticeably bigger than someone with only an associate’s degree. These salary discrepancies can be bigger or smaller depending on your field of study, with some bachelor’s dwarfing the salaries of their non-degree counterparts. Your degree will enable you to take positions that you may have otherwise been unable to access. 

Holding a bachelor’s degree has the added benefit of being trusted with greater responsibility. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree are able to find managerial positions in fields such as business and marketing, consulting positions in medical fields, and many more. Although experience is tied to the heights you can climb, your bachelor’s degree will instill confidence in prospective employers. 

Conclusion

Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the U.S. is a big commitment, but one that comes with incredible rewards. The knowledge and experiences you will soak in during your time here will catapult your career to new heights and build a strong foundation for your future.