By Laurie Germeraad Kagay
Interest in associate degrees is growing. According to Hanover Research's 2026 National Prospective Student Survey, interest in associate degrees rose from 36% to 45% in just one year, while interest in bachelor's degrees declined from 79% to 66%.
It's not difficult to understand why. Recent research suggests three significant concerns influencing students' college decisions:
College costs. According to a 2025 study from NACCAP and CCCU, 55% of prospective students ruled out a college because of cost. EAB's 2026 research found that 67% of college-eligible students who chose not to enroll cited increases in the cost of living as a primary reason.
Uncertain career paths. Hanover Research found that 30% of students hesitant about attending college cited uncertainty about what to study as a potential barrier. And 42% of prospective students didn't yet know what career they wanted to pursue.
Practical preparation for the future. In the NACCAP and CCCU study, 91% of prospective Christian college students and 94% of parents said preparation for a successful career or graduate school was very or extremely important.
A shorter degree feels like it should answer these concerns.
If cost is the issue, pay for two years instead of four! If you're uncertain about your career, don't commit to four years! And surely two years is enough time to figure out what you want to do, right?
It doesn't quite work that way.
I'd like to consider these three questions from the perspective of a Bible college, both because it's where I work and because it's an educational model I deeply believe in.
1. Does an Associate Degree Save You Money?
If it's the end of your educational pursuits, it certainly can.
Many students are drawn to associate degrees because of their practical value. In technical and vocational fields, two-year programs can provide the skills and credentials needed to enter the workforce. The Bible, however, is not a trade program.
At Nashville Bible College, some of our associate degree students are adults already established in a career or ministry who want to strengthen their biblical understanding. This can be a wonderful investment. Two years of concentrated biblical study can deepen their understanding of Scripture and strengthen the work they're already doing, without the financial commitment of a four-year degree.
Other students may have their eyes on a specific career, such as nursing or education, but want to begin with a biblical foundation. In this case, an associate degree can serve as a bridge to further education.
However, it may not save them money.
Most associate degrees require approximately 60 credits, while bachelor's degrees require around 120. It's tempting to assume that completing an associate degree means you're halfway through any bachelor's program.
Unfortunately, college credits don't always work that way.
Bible colleges intentionally prioritize biblical and theological education. At NBC, we want students to receive a substantial biblical education, even if they're only with us for two years.
If you continue into a related bachelor's program in Biblical Studies or Ministry and Missions, those courses may fit naturally into your next degree. But if you transfer into a different field, such as education, business, or nursing, the receiving college may have limited room for your Bible coursework.
This doesn't diminish the value of those courses. It simply means that an associate degree isn't automatically the least expensive route to a bachelor's degree in another field.
It is, as we've named it, a foundation in Bible.
2. Does It Help You Discern a Career Path?
Sometimes.
Students who study God's Word in community, adjust to adult expectations, and learn from caring mentors discover a great deal about themselves. But that doesn't always mean they discover what they want to do.
As we say around here, college is useful for what you do, but especially for who you become. Our degrees focus on the human project: learning who you are before God and immersing yourself in the Scriptures.
If career clarity happens along the way, excellent! But it's not guaranteed.
For an adult learner, two years may be exactly the right amount of time to gain the biblical education they've been wanting.
For an 18-year-old, those years can provide space to mature, develop independence, grow in faith, and consider future educational and career options. But they may not graduate prepared to enter a particular profession.
This is one reason we've built Professional Development, or ProDev, into our bachelor's programs at NBC.
Through ProDev, students earn college credit while gaining paid workplace experience, exploring their interests, and developing professional competencies under the guidance of mentors. By graduation, students can have two years of professional experience, a professional portfolio, and an international immersion experience alongside their biblical education.
For students who aren't certain what they want to do professionally, this combination of biblical formation and workplace experience provides valuable opportunities to explore their future.
3. Does It Get You a Job?
That depends on the job.
This is where a trade-based associate degree and a Bible-based one differ. The goal of an Associate in Biblical Foundations isn't primarily to prepare you for a particular occupation. It's to root you in the Scriptures.
As Colossians 2:6–7 says:
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Our graduates have gone on to work in ministry, education, social services, business, trades, healthcare, and law. Many of these careers are accessible with a bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies or Ministry and Missions, particularly in Christian schools, churches, and nonprofit organizations. Others require additional training or professional credentials.
The important distinction is that a bachelor's degree often opens doors that an associate degree alone may not, even when your degree isn't specifically in the field where you hope to work.
A Bible college degree develops biblical understanding, theological judgment, and a foundation for Christian life and service. These are valuable in every profession. A teacher, business owner, missionary, or social worker can benefit tremendously from a strong biblical education.
So, Which Should You Choose?
An associate degree in Biblical Foundations can be an excellent option for adults who want to strengthen their understanding of Scripture, or for younger students who want to begin their college education with two years of focused biblical study.
A bachelor's degree is often the better choice for students who want a complete four-year educational experience, particularly those hoping to explore professional interests, gain workplace experience, or pursue graduate study.
Starting with a bachelor's program can also help students avoid the additional time and expense that sometimes accompany transferring between unrelated degree programs.
Both offer something valuable. The question is what you hope to accomplish during your college years and where you hope to go afterward.
You don't need to have every detail of your future figured out at 18. But understanding the differences between these degrees can help you make a wise decision about your next step.
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