Q&A for How to Earn a Bachelor's Degree

You generally can't take courses at 2- or 4-year colleges without having a high school diploma or GED in hand, however some high schools allow dual enrollment where you can take courses at partnering community college and get both high school and college credit. You can also take AP courses, which––assuming you score a 4 or 5 on the AP exam for the subject––can allow you to be exempt from certain entry level college courses when you get to college.

In the United States, the cost for a 4-year degree can vary depending on whether it is a public or private college and other factors. The cost normally ranges from $15,000 to $20,000 at an in-state public college to $65-70,000 at elite private schools such as Princeton or Stanford.

This is relevant for any Bachelor's degree. Make sure that your degree meets pre-med requirements. It's probably best for you to talk to an advisor at your university, or your counselor if you're still in high school.

A Bachelor's degree is the most common type of undergraduate degree – and can be studied straight after finishing higher education. It's classed as a level 6 qualification.