While higher learning comes with great intrinsic value, it’s crucial to choose the right program. This goes beyond simply finding the right field of study; you also need to study at the right level. In other words, you’ll have to make a key choice: complete your education with your bachelor's degree or continue on to earn your master's.
There's no one way to tackle this journey; the answer depends on your reason for pursuing a degree and what you hope to accomplish once you graduate. That being said, a quick review of personal goals and limitations can help you figure out which pathway is most desirable and realistic.
At Nebraska Methodist College (NMC), we offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs designed to meet the unique needs of today's ambitious students — especially those with big plans for advancing in the healthcare field. We recognize that different students enter our nursing and allied health programs for many different reasons, and we strive to tailor our training opportunities accordingly.
To help you plan your future in both college and the healthcare sector, we'll break down the bachelor’s degree vs. master’s degree debate in detail, touching on everything from curricula to scheduling, financial aid, and beyond. We’ll also reveal how undergraduate and graduate decision-making plays out in the context of the modern healthcare career ladder.
Enrolling in college can be a life-changing decision — but it’s only the beginning. One of the most important choices you’ll make is deciding what level of education to pursue and which specialization aligns with your career goals.
This can involve choosing between pre- and post-licensure studies, a process that’s often complicated by bridge programs and layered credentialing pathways. Nowhere is this more evident than in healthcare, where career growth depends not just on education but also on clinical experience and certification. The variety of options offers flexibility but can also make decision-making more complex.
While there are many routes to success in modern healthcare, there is a clear push toward training at the bachelor's level — even when working toward strictly clinical or administrative roles.
This is most evident in nursing, where industry authorities and top employers heavily encourage baccalaureate training. It is possible to pass the NCLEX exam and become a registered nurse with an associate degree — however, talented nurses increasingly find that a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) greatly expands their career options.
With a bachelor's degree feeling less like an advanced option and more like a baseline requirement, graduate degrees are becoming the new differentiator. Graduate credentials enhance credibility, opening the door to compelling leadership and specialization opportunities on the healthcare career ladder.
A bachelor’s degree can be a great fit if you’re still finalizing your long-term career objectives. It allows you to spend time working in the real world, where you can gain greater clarity surrounding your preferred specializations or desire for advancement.
On the other hand, maybe you already know what you want — and your goals might not involve a significant climb up the career ladder. For example, if you like generalist roles and would prefer to continue working in a clinical capacity (rather than step into a leadership position), you may be better off sticking with your bachelor's degree. Many professionals thrive without climbing the career ladder, finding fulfillment and satisfaction in hands-on clinical work.
It's also worth mentioning that for some roles, a master's could render you overqualified. This might seem surprising at first glance; after all, it's common to assume that more education is always better. In reality, perceived overqualification in the nursing field can have a damaging impact on career opportunities and job satisfaction.
In today's modern job market, a bachelor's degree increasingly functions as a minimum barrier to entry. For the healthcare industry, a bachelor’s provides one of the simplest and most straightforward ways to verify clinical or technical skills. Graduate degrees, meanwhile, are closely tied to leadership development or specific specializations.
Although employers generally view both degrees favorably, they may draw conclusions about an applicant’s long-term goals based on educational attainment. A master’s degree shows a major commitment to career advancement, making applicants stand out.
As you continue to clarify your long-term career goals, be mindful of the immediate implications of your undergraduate or graduate studies. Both programs can be intense, but their academic challenges take different forms.
One of the key distinctions between a bachelor’s degree vs. master’s degree lies in breadth versus depth. While undergraduates may explore electives or choose a concentration, they typically focus largely on general education. This involves building foundational knowledge through courses such as chemistry, algebra, psychology, and English composition.
In contrast, master’s programs focus more narrowly on industry-specific knowledge and specialized topics. For example, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs quickly dive into healthcare policy and informatics, while healthcare-focused MBA programs delve into accounting and strategic management.
Although research and evidence-based practice are introduced at the undergraduate level, they take center stage in graduate education. Master’s programs place a stronger emphasis on applying research to real-world problems, often tailored to a student’s area of specialization.
For example, bachelor’s programs generally provide an initial introduction to research skills, while master’s programs align research with student-specific career objectives. These objectives can encompass everything from occupational therapy fieldwork to family nurse practitioner (FNP) practicum experiences.
Master’s programs also emphasize experiential learning, professional practice, and clinical application. While these experiences are often built into bachelor's programs (such as through respiratory therapy clinical rotations), they’re typically not as specialized or intensive as their graduate-level counterparts.
Graduate programs encourage students to not only deepen their research skills, but also to actively contribute to a growing body of knowledge by participating in capstone projects or writing a thesis. These experiences can be highly rewarding, granting students a greater sense of purpose and credibility.
However, they’re also demanding, requiring dedication above and beyond what’s typically expected in a bachelor's program. To succeed, students must demonstrate extreme focus and a deep-seated passion for the industry.
Many associate and bachelor's programs heavily emphasize clinical experiences, helping students develop foundational knowledge while also learning to apply core competencies during patient interactions.
These clinical opportunities are also built into master's programs — they just look a bit different. For instance, graduate students are more likely to participate in intensive, research-focused experiences that are longer in duration. These experiences help graduate students satisfy strict fieldwork or specialization requirements, which can assist with career advancement.
Every degree offers the chance to develop new skills and increased confidence. However, they focus on different competencies. This is why BSN and MSN curricula, although both dedicated to nursing, can look so dramatically different.
At the bachelor's level, healthcare-focused students strive to develop foundational communication skills, supported by ethical frameworks applied in clinical settings and situations. Bachelor's programs also teach students how to integrate evidence-based practice into everyday patient care.
Master's programs prepare passionate healthcare professionals to become impactful leaders. Depending on the program, this may involve a detailed overview of health policy, human resources, or even financial management.
During their academic journey, graduate students come to better understand their expanding role within the big picture of healthcare, bringing a holistic approach to problem-solving. Some programs may also explore advanced clinical skills, often in the context of healthcare specializations. This may involve interpreting diagnostic tests, performing advanced procedures, or leading the charge with preventative care.
Both bachelor's and master's programs encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, with the recognition that a team-based approach to healthcare leads to greater efficiency and improved patient outcomes. With graduate programs, however, there is a greater focus on independence in clinical decision-making, as higher-level professionals (such as nurse practitioners) hold greater autonomy than entry or mid-level healthcare professionals.
With some healthcare roles, a master's provides not only a competitive edge, but also the chance to earn credentials that are crucial to gaining greater clinical authority. For example, a master’s degree is often required for family nurse practitioner or adult gerontology clinical nurse specialist roles.
As you explore educational pathways, consider both your immediate career plans and your long-term goals. Where do you hope to be in five, ten, or twenty years? This vision may ultimately shape your academic experience, determining which degrees you seek and how they relate to professional exams or certifications.
Your bachelor's degree provides a solid step toward a meaningful career. For instance, it can help you step into a desirable entry-level role or increase your credibility and earning power. In nursing, it may even help you uncover certain specialized opportunities in care coordination or informatics. However, these opportunities are more likely to be available with a master's degree.
If you crave greater influence or want to take a deeper dive into passion-driven specializations, be prepared to eventually move beyond undergraduate education. While a blend of undergraduate training and experience can sometimes give way to select leadership opportunities, these tend to be more accessible to healthcare leaders trained at the graduate level. From policy development to crisis management, there are many powerful ways to contribute to the healthcare sector while leveraging graduate training.
In the healthcare sector, different degrees support different specializations or levels of autonomy. This is largely due to strict licensing requirements that tie into educational attainment.
Registered nurses, for example, can enter the field after earning either their ADN or BSN. They usually maintain a generalist and collaborative approach to care, complete with a limited scope of practice. Nurse practitioners, meanwhile, have greater autonomy, using their graduate-level education to take on advanced clinical responsibilities. Master’s programs also provide opportunities to work in non-clinical roles in fields like public health and epidemiology.
There is a wealth of data linking educational attainment to both immediate and long-term wage growth. While a bachelor’s degree often delivers the most dramatic earnings boost, a master’s degree can further increase income potential — particularly when tied to specialization or leadership. In short, advanced education can open doors to higher-paying roles that might otherwise be inaccessible.
We've thoroughly explored the many elements of the bachelor’s degree vs. master’s degree return on investment (ROI). Now, it’s time to break down the initial investment — both in terms of cost and the necessary time commitment.
The 'traditional' pathway to a bachelor's degree involves four years of full-time study, though accelerated options can shorten this timeline to just three years. Other students follow a non-linear path — completing a two-year associate degree, working in the field, then enrolling in a bridge program to finish a BSN in one to two additional years.
Master's programs are comparatively shorter. By committing to full-time study, you can earn an advanced degree in just one or two years. RN to MSN programs, meanwhile, usually span two or three years.
While some students have the freedom to focus exclusively on coursework, others may juggle school with busy work schedules — especially when completing bridge programs such as the RN to BSN or the RN to MSN. This structure allows students to immediately apply classroom concepts in real-world settings while also expanding professional networks.
Online and hybrid formats can help accommodate busy schedules, offering flexible coursework and reducing the need for commuting. With these flexible options, students can maintain personal and professional responsibilities as they earn their degrees.
Every worthwhile program comes with expenses attached, such as tuition, fees, and study materials. Exact costs vary based on the duration of the program and level of study.
In general, the cost per credit hour is higher for graduate programs. However, this isn't universal; online graduate programs, for example, may cost less per credit than bachelor's programs with clinical requirements.
There are several ways to help offset education costs. Many students start with financial aid, pursuing scholarships and grants specifically designed to accommodate healthcare professionals. Furthermore, many healthcare employers offer tuition assistance, recognizing that higher educational attainment leads to better patient outcomes.
There is no 'ideal' candidate for a master's degree. In healthcare, this decision is almost entirely driven by career aspirations. That being said, advanced education can feel more worthwhile when tied to the following ambitions:
If you’ve worked in the healthcare field for several years and are now ready to take your career in a new direction, you may benefit from developing leadership skills or specialized competencies via a master’s program. A graduate degree can also help satisfy eligibility requirements for certification.
Have you recently earned your bachelor's but want to remain in the academic world? If so, you may prefer to continue studying at the graduate level. This allows you to maintain an academic mindset as you expand upon your knowledge.
Are you drawn to leadership positions but lack the higher-level degree needed to satisfy strict employer requirements? The right master's program could make all the difference, exposing you to key leadership principles while also helping you develop skills that provide a competitive edge.
Maybe you work in a different field and want to transition into the healthcare landscape. A master's degree can fuel a successful career change, allowing you to qualify for in-demand healthcare roles. Some degrees also facilitate shifts between clinical and administrative or management roles. The MSN, for example, offers compelling options in informatics, care coordination, and beyond.
Now that you understand the many nuances of the bachelor’s degree vs. master’s degree debate, it's time to move forward with this important decision. If you're still struggling to decide, clarify your intentions with these helpful questions:
Do you feel drawn to a specific type of role or specialization? Consider your gut feeling, but also do your research to determine what different healthcare roles or pathways look like. Understanding your goals can help you outline your best next steps surrounding higher education.
In some roles, a graduate degree is not a matter of if, but when. Consider whether this is required for certification or recommended by top employers in your field. It’s also helpful to gain insight from coworkers or mentors.
Master's programs are notoriously intense. Confirm that you can dedicate the time and focus to advanced coursework; if not, it may be worth waiting until you feel prepared to tackle research-heavy programs.
While it's common to focus on career outcomes, you'll also want to be mindful of the intrinsic benefits of higher learning, such as greater confidence and personal fulfillment. Ask yourself: will a particular degree or role help you achieve work-life balance, autonomy, or a greater sense of meaning? Ultimately, there’s more to consider than just career advancement or earning potential.
A master's degree can deliver an impressive ROI, but it all depends on your personal goals and values. For many passionate healthcare professionals, however, the answer is a definitive yes!
As you finalize your decision, remember that there's no universal way to proceed. The right path is the one that supports your vision for a bright future in the healthcare sector.
Ready to expand your knowledge and embrace new opportunities in the healthcare industry? Look to Nebraska Methodist College for support as you take the next step in your career. Check out our graduate programs or feel free to apply today.
Sources
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11293402/
https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cba
https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/levels-of-nursing/
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/should-i-get-a-master's-degree
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/medical-careers-with-masters-degree
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/masters-vs-bachelors