Certificate vs. Degree: What’s the Difference?

If you’re thinking about new career options, you’ve probably considered going back to school. Academic certificates and degrees are popular choices, but which one should you choose?

The main difference between a certificate and a degree is the scope of the program. Certificates generally consist of a focused group of courses in a specific subject, while degrees provide a broader program of study at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral level.

In this article, we take a closer look at certificates and degrees and explore their differences.

What Is a Certificate?

An academic certificate is a credential awarded after a student completes a focused, credit-based program of study in a specific discipline. Certificates may help students:

• Develop knowledge for professional development.
• Enter certain career fields.
• Specialize within a field in which they already work.

In some cases, certificates can be earned while pursuing a degree. Here at Columbia Southern University, some certificates are available as embedded certificates. Students earn an embedded certificate by completing courses within a degree program that also meet a certificate’s requirements. Information about embedded certificates can be found in the most recent edition of the University Catalog.

Certificate vs. Certification: A certificate is awarded by an educational institution after completing a program of study. Certificates should not be confused with professional certifications, which are generally awarded by a third-party organization after someone meets their experience, examination or other requirements.

What Are Graduate and Postgraduate Certificates?

In addition to the undergraduate level, certificates can also be offered at the graduate and even postgraduate levels. Neither is a degree, however.

• Graduate certificates include graduate-level coursework and are generally designed for students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree. At CSU, graduate certificates typically consist of 12 credit hours.
• Postgraduate certificates are typically designed for students who have already earned a graduate-level degree and seek to continue developing advanced knowledge in a focused area, although some institutions may design them differently. CSU’s postgraduate certificates typically consist of 18 credit hours.

What Is a Degree?

An academic degree is a credential awarded by a college or university after a student completes a prescribed program of study.

Academic degrees are commonly offered at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. Associate and bachelor’s degrees are undergraduate credentials, while master’s and doctoral degrees are graduate credentials.

What Is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Degree?

Here’s a breakdown of the differences between academic certificates and degrees.

Certificate vs. Degree: Which Should You Choose?

Whether you decide to pursue a certificate or a degree will depend on many factors. Here are some questions to consider:

• What qualifications are typically required in your preferred career field? If you already know what profession you want to be in, review job listings in your industry to get an idea of whether you’ll need a certificate, degree or some other combination of credentials to meet the typical requirements.
• Would certificate courses apply toward a future degree? Some certificates are designed to connect with degree programs, but policies vary. Before enrolling, ask whether the credits earned during a certificate program can be applied toward a future degree and whether you meet the admission requirements for both options.
• Do you already have a degree? Certificates can be a good option for those who already have a degree and want to change their career focus or develop a specialty. On the other hand, if you already have a bachelor’s degree, pursuing a graduate degree instead of a certificate may make more sense in your industry.
• How quickly do you want to make a change in your career? A certificate may be worth considering if time is a major factor for you. Since many certificates require less time, students can complete them sooner than if they decide to pursue a degree. If you’re interested in a deeper or broader course of study, a degree may be the more appropriate long-term option.

Certificate vs. Degree: What to Know About Salaries

There is no universal salary difference between certificate and degree holders. Earnings vary by occupation, field, location, experience and many other factors. Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that workers with higher levels of educational attainment generally have higher median earnings, broad educational-attainment data from the BLS doesn’t isolate certificate holders or account for every form of training.

We do recommend that you conduct your own salary research. Salary expectations are dependent on a number of factors like location, experience, credentials, benefits offered, etc. There are a wide variety of sources where you can find potential salary information. We recommend that you review several to get an overall idea of potential salary for a particular field.

Choose the Best Education Option for You

Columbia Southern University offers online certificate and degree programs in a variety of fields. Explore our program directory to compare available options, or contact our admissions team for help identifying a path that fits your goals.

This article was originally written and published in July 2020. It was edited and updated in August 2026.