According to the college advice website College Education 411, there are very few circumstances where a second bachelor's degree is a better option than graduate school. One situation is if you originally earned a professional degree and you want to get the broader knowledge basis of a liberal arts degree in order to expand your career options. For example, if your first degree was in engineering or pharmacy, a bachelor's in education could allow you to prepare for a future career as a science teacher.
Multiple bachelor's degrees are also often required if you are pursuing a career in a different field than your original bachelor's. Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of the scholarship website Fastweb, stated in a US News and World Report article that earning a bachelor's degree in your new field rather than going straight for a master's can give you the foundational undergraduate courses that advanced degrees often require. Many universities, such as Stanford and the University of California's branches, only admit second bachelor's degree students on a limited basis, however. Carefully examining your career goals can help you specifically determine what kind of degree you need.
Overall, the Office of Academic Services at Rutgers University states that a second bachelor's degree doesn't add to your credentials as much as a graduate education. Along with classes in a student's chosen field, a large part of a bachelor's degree comes from gaining a general foundation of knowledge. Therefore, it makes more sense to pursue advanced education rather than earn another degree at the same level. Furthermore, choosing a second bachelor's over a graduate education can push some employers to believe you didn't want to challenge yourself, leading to a skewed view of your actual motivation.
Ultimately, the advantages of an additional bachelor's degree are few compared to what you can gain from graduate school. Carl Ferrara of Grantham University reports that a graduate degree raises your potential work earnings, as well as your ability to be competitive in an increasingly narrow job market. Pursuing a graduate education also reveals a high level of interest and knowledge in a single specialized field, a characteristic employers strongly value. Taking on the challenge of a graduate degree ultimately reveals your desire for challenges and high motivation to succeed.