The most notable difference between bachelor's degrees and associate's degrees is the time it takes to earn each one. Universities and colleges have a four-year time frame that allows most students to achieve a bachelor's degree in four years, assuming they are taking a full schedule of courses. Community college associate's degrees, on the other hand, require a much shorter time commitment -- most can be completed within two years, assuming a full course load.
Another difference in the two degrees is cost. Because a bachelor's degree takes longer to achieve than an associate's degree, there is an added cost. This can range from $20,000 to $100,000, depending on the university and whether it is a public, a private or an out-of-state school. Community colleges have a much more static cost variation that is also on the much lower end of the educational-cost spectrum. Depending upon the specific community college, an associate's degree can run from as low as $4,000 to as high as $8,000.
Another key difference in the two types of degrees is the emphasis of focus. Bachelor's degrees have relatively specific focused courses that vary depending upon the student's major, whereas associate's degrees tend to cover more basic and generalized courses, such as English, math, biology and speech.
Associate's degrees hold relatively few advantages over bachelor's degrees in terms of job competition. Although associate's degrees cost less to earn and take less time to achieve, they are rarely preferred by employers over bachelor's degrees. This preference allows students with bachelor's degrees to have a wider range of options within the job market.