What's better: 2-3 bachelor's degrees, or 1 master's?

Getting a masters is better

If you are really unsure of what career you want to go into then go for 2-3 BS or BA degrees and you will have more oppurtunities. Other than that, the other degrees will get you nowhere in a regular job for promotions and such, they will be beneficial but don't expect to get a pay increase from it.

Overall the masters is better because you learn more about one area and are thus more specialized. You have a better handle on a certain area of knowledge and thus can command more salary. Plus, if you really end up enjoying it, you COULD go on to get a PhD

Masters

I redshirted in college and was around for a 5th year to compete. I ended up adding a 2nd major to my Business Degree. So I ended up with double majors of Marketing and Economics.

I think it helped me 5 years later when I went back to school for 2 more years to get my MBA.

But, whatever you do, take advantage of that 5th year to help your academics. I've known other teammates who stuck around an extra sememster for X-C or track and simply dropped all the classses once the season was completed. (since they had their original degree pretty much wrapped up). I chose to add the '2nd major'. Of course, now days you can even have your degree and still compete and work on your Masters, like you said; but not in my day.

A Masters dude

That's like saying what's better having 2-3 Associate degrees or 1 Bachelors degree.

Master's, by far.

MASTERS!

depending on your major; (esp Business); many grad schools and employers want you to go work in the real world for a few years at least, before getting your MBA. The real world experience is invaluable. Also, you might want to get your Masters from another school, too; but, again, I think it depends on your major. I'm just talking about Business school.

depends on what your bachelor's degree is in ...

criminal justice, psychology, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, literature ... all are equally worthless - multiple BA's or Master's.

Engineering, business, chemistry, biology, etc ... it really depends. To be honest, a Master's in some fields will not help much ... because you would still be ab "entry level guy" with no experience in the field and would carry an attitude.

as someone who has multiple bachelor's degrees and a later masters that a master's in the field you which to pursue is the way to go without hesitation. It shows dedication to that field and a drive to achieve your objectives. Multiple bachelor's degrees simply shows indecisiveness and extra free time, which is why I have them. Had I been better directed from the start, I would've started my masters in the time I was using up my eligibility rather than wasting time on a second bachelor's degree completely unrelated to what I do now and having to go back to school later for the elevated degree.

Rover wrote:

I've earned about 30 college credits in high school and will be running for my college for 5 years, so it looks like I'll be able to do more than just get a bachelor's degree. I guess I know a master's is better than 2 bachelor's, but is it worth it to get several undergrad degrees, or just not bother with it? I'm thinking it would probably only take one extra semester to get another degree in a similar field after I've earned my first, so I might be able to get 2 bachelor's and still earn a master's while still running on scholarship.

How helpful is it to have more than one degree?

Get the MA or MS brother. I have two BA degrees, but it's the MA that brings home the bills my brother.

6 step program to retirement by the time you are 35 yrs old.

1. Get 2 bachelors - 1 in accounting and 1 in finance

2. Get your MBA immediately after you get your bachelors

3. Go to work as an investment banker

4. Work 90-100 hrs per week (its an industry norm)

5. Live very modestly (cheep car, small apartment - heck you'll never be at home anyways) and save 50+% of your salary and 75% of your bonus.

6. At age 35 you can retire, get married, have kids, live in the country and never HAVE to work again.

Go to it boy!!!

Oh yeah, the big Investment Banking Firms love guy who were big time athletes in college so get fast during your 5 years as well. An NCAA championship or two won't hurt.

Then take up running again at 35 just in time to get back in shape for Masters competition. Your legs will be fresh while those other old guys will be tired.

Do you actually mean two bachelor's degrees (a BA and a BS, for example) or two majors within one degree? Different things entirely.

The answer to your question is "it depends." Sometimes the second major (or degree) can complement the first in a way that's as valuable as a masters. If you're a good computer programmer, for example, you'll understand the substance of the business too. Thus, having degrees in computer science and nursing could make you really employable in health informatics. If you have a business degree and are fluent in a language, you'll be attractive to firms with international operations (even just in Quebec!).

The "it depends" is "it depends what you want to do."

The second major or degree can be more valuable than the masters if you choose them well, and can sell yourself to an employer as someone who brings an unusual combination of skills to their business.

I say this as someone who's done both (BA/BS and then a Masters/PhD).

Been there done that got a MBA wrote:

4. Work 90-100 hrs per week (its an industry norm)

It's an industry norm to work 14 hours a day, EVERY day, including Saturdays and Sundays? Sorry, not buying it.

Flagpole Willy wrote:

Get the MA or MS brother. I have two BA degrees, but it's the MA that brings home the bills my brother.

if by bills you mean student loan payments, then yes, flagpole, you're ma is bringing home the bills, brother.

dukerdog wrote:

Been there done that got a MBA wrote:

4. Work 90-100 hrs per week (its an industry norm)

It's an industry norm to work 14 hours a day, EVERY day, including Saturdays and Sundays? Sorry, not buying it.

I guess you never have been around the people who do that. Some do and retire very early. Of course they look 65 at age 35 and probably will die "early" as well.

dukerdog wrote:

Been there done that got a MBA wrote:

4. Work 90-100 hrs per week (its an industry norm)

It's an industry norm to work 14 hours a day, EVERY day, including Saturdays and Sundays? Sorry, not buying it.

Believe it. I have friends that do it that work 9am to 2am monday through friday and from sometime between 9am and noon to 9-11pm on the weekends.

If I were in this situation (I sort of was), I'd get a bachelor's in a general field (history, economics, poli sci, etc.) and a master's in whatever I was truly interested in. Someone with an M.S. in economics could probably walk into consulting gigs in the high five figures if not more. For history, philosophy etc. the returns come later but can still be had.

As an HR professional, if a resume came across my desk that indicated that his individual had multiple Bachelor's degrees, the first thing that would come to mind would be..."Is this guy ever going to grow up and get a job, or is he stalling for a reason?"

Frankly, it's a fair question.

Get a Master's.