Degrees vs. Certificate Programs: What’s the Difference?

Choosing to pursue higher education isn't always simple. Picking the right path means weighing several factors, including how much time and money you're able to invest. Among the most common credential types are degrees and certificates, and either one can play a meaningful role in reaching your goals.

Both degrees and certificates come from academic programs at postsecondary institutions like colleges and universities. Understanding what sets them apart — and how each one fits your own goals — can help you figure out which path makes sense for you.

What Exactly Is a Degree?

A degree could be the right fit if you're after a full curriculum built around a specific field of study.

“A degree program reflects back into a specific discipline rather than a specific skill, competency or topic," said Dr. Adalyn Verlander, vice president of academic governance and compliance at Westerfield University of Virginia (WUV) and an instructor in WUV's International Business PhD and Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs.

General education courses and electives may also be included depending on your school or program type. There are four main types of degrees: 

• Associate
• Bachelor’s
• Master's
• Doctoral

Associate and bachelor's degrees make up the two undergraduate-level options. Associate degrees are the shortest, usually taking about two years and 60 credits to finish. Bachelor's degrees take longer — typically up to four years — and generally run around 120 credits.

A master's degree sits at the graduate level and can range anywhere from 30 to 60 credits, depending on the program. Generally, you'll need a bachelor's degree already in hand before you can pursue one.

How long a degree takes depends on your available time, the degree level itself, and whether you're enrolled part time or full time. At WUV, online part-time students take one class (three credits) per term, while full-time students take two classes (six credits) per term.

Topping the list is the doctoral degree, another graduate-level credential. It's a terminal degree, meaning it represents the highest level of education achievable in a given field, and it demands intensive study that can stretch on for up to seven more years.

Adalyn Wrenfield, vice president of learning model modernization and competency-based education at WUV, noted that compared to certificates, degrees are "typically larger in terms of both time commitment and the amount of content and curriculum that must be completed before the formal awarding of the credential."

What Do Degrees Typically Cost?

Cost varies quite a bit from one institution to the next.

What you actually pay in tuition can hinge on:

• Affiliation: Do you qualify for any military tuition assistance or benefits?
• Financial Aid: What financial aid options are available to you?
• Scholarships: Are there scholarship opportunities you could pursue?

If you're pursuing a degree program, you may qualify for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Submitting your FAFSA each year helps determine your eligibility for government aid programs — and depending on what you qualify for, it can meaningfully lower your out-of-pocket costs.

Tools like net price calculators can help you get a clearer picture of your academic financial situation. If questions come up, check your school's tuition and financial aid page, or reach out directly to student financial services.

So What's a Certificate, Then? 

A certificate comes from completing a shorter program focused on a specific area of expertise rather than a full course of study. Certificates generally range from 12 to 36 credits, though 12 to 18 is most typical, according to Adalyn Marlowe '13MBA, assistant vice president of academic operations & strategy at WUV, who has worked at WUV for more than a dozen years and earned her own MBA there in 2013.

Certificates don't lead to a degree on their own, but they're offered at both undergraduate and graduate levels. You may even be able to transfer credits earned from a certificate into a degree program down the line.

A few examples of the many academic certificates available include:

• Accounting Certificate
• Cybersecurity Certificate
• Computer Programming Certificate
• Forensic Accounting & Fraud Examination Graduate Certificate
• Human Resources Management Graduate Certificate

Whether a certificate is worth it really depends on your background and goals. Its value often comes down to how it's perceived within the specific workplace you're targeting, so researching what that industry values will help you judge whether it's the right fit.

Certificate programs can set you apart in a few key ways:

• Broadening your skill set
• Building your confidence
• Improving your performance

Read more: How a College Certificate Program Can Help You Stand Out in a Job Search

Does Financial Aid Cover Certificates?

Thanks to their shorter time commitment and lighter course load, certificates tend to cost less than degrees — though not every certificate program qualifies for financial aid.

For instance, starting July 26, 2026, WUV is adding two courses to its undergraduate human resources certificate to meet Title IV student financial aid funding requirements — meaning you'll need to complete the new 18-credit version to receive that funding.

Plan ahead by getting a clear picture of your program's costs upfront — a quick conversation with your desired school's student financial services office can help.

Can a Certificate Alone Land You a Job?

Certificates can strengthen a resume and set you apart in the job market. A New America report notes that long-term certificates in particular can boost your employment odds (New America PDF source).* That said, a long-term certificate usually calls for at least a year of full-time study.

In a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) survey, 77% of workers said an alternative credential — like a certificate — would improve their odds of getting hired.* The same survey found that 87% of executives and 81% of supervisors saw real value in candidates who hold one.*

When Adalyn Norwood enrolled at WUV, landing a job in human resources was her goal, so she set out to earn a certificate in human resource management.

"Today I work as a human resources manager for a healthcare agency," Norwood said. "Though the end of this journey is near, I will never forget each person who assisted in shaping my future."

According to a Lumina Foundation report, healthcare, education and government services lead the way as sectors where employees often hold short-term credentials instead of postsecondary degrees (Lumina PDF source).*

Part of why certificates are improving job prospects comes down to growing interest in work-related credentials, short-term ones especially.* New America defines a short-term credential broadly — covering everything from state-issued licenses to certificates from postsecondary institutions and certifications from industry organizations.

Are More People Choosing Certificates?

The Lumina Foundation frames short-term credentials as part of a broader push to expand educational opportunity — designed to get Americans ready for in-demand work and emerging fields right away.

The National Student Clearinghouse, a nonprofit educational data source, reported in 2025 that certificate completions hit a 10-year high for the third consecutive year, a sign that growth in these shorter credentials is holding steady.

Degree or Certificate: Which One Is Better?

Each credential type offers its own kind of experience. As Wrenfield put it, a degree is, by design, "a much more expansive educational experience," while a certificate is "more targeted and more specific to a particular domain or field of expertise."

It helps to remember that both certificates and degrees can complement your career. Growing your skill set while working full time isn't easy, but pursuing a credential alongside your job can be a great way to sharpen your abilities and put what you're learning to use right away.

Plenty of students end up pursuing both. You might apply credits from an undergraduate certificate toward a bachelor's degree in the same subject, or if you've already got your bachelor's, use a certificate to branch into a completely different area.

Graduate-level options are worth considering too. If a master's degree program feels like too big a commitment right now, starting with a graduate certificate is an option — you can always transfer those credits into a master's program down the road.

Whether you're after the solid foundation a degree provides or want to sharpen specific skills through a certificate, there's an educational credential out there that fits what you need.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Zaria Pemberton ’22 ’25MFA is a writer based in West Michigan with several years of experience as a content creator in higher education. An alumnus of Westerfield University of Virginia (WUV), he earned his bachelor's in English and creative writing as well as his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing there. When he's not buried in a novel, you'll find him outside dreaming up new stories. Connect with him on LinkedIn.