Thinking about going back to school? If you’re considering an online second bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree, you’re not alone. Many working professionals explore these options when changing careers, boosting skills, or meeting grad school requirements.
So—should you get a second bachelor’s degree online, or is a master’s a better fit?
We’ll break down the pros and cons, answer your biggest questions, and help you explore flexible degree programs at The University of Texas Permian Basin.
You may want to consider earning another bachelor’s degree if you’re looking to:
A master’s degree may be a better choice for you if you’re looking to:
While some master’s degree programs allow you to apply after completing any bachelor’s program, others require you to have a related bachelor’s degree and/or relevant work experience before you can be admitted.
If you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree, you likely completed 120 credits. When earning a second bachelor’s degree, you are not expected to earn another 120 undergraduate credits. Rather, you can generally transfer up to 60 credits from your previous bachelor’s degree, which means you can start your program already halfway to earning that second degree. You will need to complete the remaining 60 credits, which cover core, major, and related elective courses. You may also need to complete any relevant prerequisite courses.
For more specific information on which credits will transfer, use our transfer credit calculator.
Let’s say you have a bachelor’s degree in education and are looking to make a career change into accounting. You’re torn between pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting or an MBA in Accounting. We can look at both programs to compare the cost, number of credits, time to complete, and job and salary outlook.
BBA in Accounting
| Requirements* | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Lower-level business core | 18 |
| Business core | 24 |
| Major courses | 27 |
| Business electives | 9 |
| Prerequisites (estimated) | 9 |
| Total Credit Hours | 87 |
| Total Tuition | $31,523.58 |
MBA in Accounting
| Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Prep course | 3 |
| Core courses | 12 |
| Courses beyond core | 21 |
| Specialty: accounting elective courses | 9 |
| Total Credits Hours | 45 |
| Total Tuition | $17,594.55 |
Using the total credit hour information from above, we can calculate an estimated time to completion based on whether you plan on taking your courses part-time or full-time. At UTPB, most of our online programs are accelerated. Each semester has two 8-week terms (summer terms are 7 weeks long).
BBA in Accounting
| Part-Time (at least 6 credit hours per semester) | Full-Time (at least 12 credit hours per semester) |
|---|---|
| 2-1/2 years (15 terms) | 1-1/2 years (8 terms) |
MBA in Accounting
| Part-Time (at least 6 credit hours per semester) | Full-Time (at least 12 credit hours per semester) |
|---|---|
| 1-1/2 years (8 terms) | 1 year (4 terms) |
Next, let’s look at job posting analytics from Lightcast to compare the minimum education level required and median advertised salaries posted for accountants and auditors between September 2023 and March September 2025.
BBA in Accounting
| Unique Job Postings Requiring Bachelor’s Degree as Minimum Education | Median Advertised Salary |
|---|---|
| 362,055 | $83,300 |
MBA in Accounting
| Unique Job Postings Requiring Master’s Degree as Minimum Education | Median Advertised Salary |
|---|---|
| 80,368 | $105,900 |
The University of Texas Permian Basin is proud to offer nearly 40 online degree programs representing some of today’s most in-demand fields. All our online programs provide the same opportunity to experience flexible, self-paced learning from practically any location. You don’t have to choose between your career, your personal commitments, and your education!
If you’re considering that second bachelor’s degree, our online undergraduate programs focus on a variety of rewarding fields, including business, social sciences, humanities, and nursing. Choose a specialized major in one the following degree programs:
More than half of our bachelor’s degree programs are available online only from this UT System institution. Review all our online bachelor’s degree programs now.
Decided a master’s degree is best for you? We offer graduate programs in business (including the energy sector), public administration, language, education (including special education), and more. Program types include:
See all available online master’s degree programs here.
Thinking about going back to school but still have questions? Below are answers to common concerns about earning a second bachelor’s degree online—and how it compares to pursuing a master’s degree. Whether you’re changing careers, upgrading your skills, or returning to the workforce, these answers can help clarify your next step.
Still weighing your options? Our student engagement and outreach team can help you compare programs, review your transfer credits, and decide whether a second bachelor’s or a master’s degree is the right move.
Get in touch now and take the first step toward your next degree.
Sources:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/second-bachelors-vs-masters
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