Double Major vs Dual Degree: Which one is right for you?

Maybe you’ve found yourself pulled in two different academic directions—philosophy and biology, for example. Or maybe you love engineering but also want to study a bit of economics. Whatever the case may be, if you’re eyeing up more than one degree, you’ve probably come across the terms ‘double major’ and ‘dual degree.’ These might sound similar, but actually, they’re not interchangeable.

This article will tell you what you need to know about how they differ, what each one might offer you, and how to figure out which makes the most sense.

Definitions & key differences

What is a double major?

A double major is basically two majors under the umbrella of a single degree. For example, you might graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in both History and Political Science. With these, you’ll usually study both subjects within the same college or school within the university.

• How long it takes: Usually four years.
• What you get: One diploma with two majors.

What is a dual degree?

A dual degree, on the other hand, means completing two different degree programmes—often in different schools or departments. For example, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Business Administration.

• How long it takes: Often five years or more.
• What you get: Two separate diplomas.

What’s also important to know is that some schools define these terms differently or don’t offer one of the two. That’s where chatting with an advisor can really come in handy.

Pros and Cons

Double major

What’s good:

• You can dive into two fields without having to study for 5+ years.
• You can study a wide range of subjects, picking and choosing which bits of each you like the most.

What’s tricky:

• One dual degree won’t necessarily carry the same weight as two separate ones.
• Studying two subjects at the same time can be intellectually challenging.
• Doing two majors may mean a heavier workload overall, so your schedule might be tight.

Dual degree

What’s good:

• You actually get two degrees, which can really matter in some fields.
• Your degrees can cover diverse areas, which could make you more appealing within certain employment sectors.

What’s tricky:

• Doing two degrees obviously takes more time (five years, minimum).
• You’ll spend a lot more money. More classes = more tuition, and more housing and fees.
• You’ll likely have to do double the admin (fees, documents, etc).

Who might benefit from each option?

Double major: If your interests are related or complementary, and you’re looking to keep things quick and efficient, this might be for you.

• Student A: Loves both psychology and sociology and is considering graduate school or working in government policy.
• Student B: Torn between English and media studies; aspiring to a career in publishing.

Why it helps: Some employers and graduate programmes often like seeing breadth, and a double major shows you’ve got a broad understanding of your field.

Dual degree: If you’ve got two distinct career paths in mind and want the academic credentials to support both, think about doing this.

• Student A: Into business and computer science; looking ahead to a career in tech entrepreneurship.
• Student B: Aiming to blend engineering with economics to work on global infrastructure projects.

Why it helps: A dual degree can give you a competitive edge in certain postgraduate programmes or niche job markets.

Notable colleges with dual degree programs

University of Pennsylvania: Offers coordinated dual-degree programs like Huntsman (Internatinal Studies + Business), M&T (Engineering + Business), and LSM (Life Sciences + Management).

Columbia University: Dual BA programs with international institutions like Sciences Po (France) or Trinity College Dublin.

Brown University & RISD (Rhode Island School of Design): Joint 5-year program leading to a BA in Liberal Arts from Brown and a Bachelor in Fine Arts from RISD.

Washington University in St. Louis: Offers an engineering dual degree program where students spend 3 years at a liberal arts college and 2 at Washington University.

Harvard University: Joint programs such as the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology (HST) dual degree, Harvard Law + Harvard Business School (JD/MBA), and a program where students earn a BA or BSc at Harvard and a Master of Music at the New England Conservatory.

Notable colleges with strong double major opportunities

Stanford University: Known for flexible academic structures that encourage cross-disciplinary study and double majors.

University of California, Berkeley: Supports double majors across colleges (with some restrictions); popular in areas like Economics + Data Science.

Northwestern University: Has a flexible curriculum across its undergraduate schools, making double majors in Journalism + Political Science, or Music + Engineering common.

University of Michigan: Large course offerings and cross-school flexibility make it easy to double major, e.g. Psychology + Business.

New York University (NYU): Especially within the College of Arts and Science, students often pursue double majors in Philosophy + Politics, or Math + Computer Science.

What to consider before choosing

Time management

Can you keep up with the pace? Will you still have time for clubs and internships, but also chilling and doing all the other things you need to do every day?

Course availability

Are classes in both subject areas offered regularly? Will scheduling be a nightmare? Might you need summer vacations to catch up on things you’ve missed?

Affordability

Can you afford the extra year (or more) that a dual degree might require? Will your scholarships or aid still apply? If you're unsure about this - book an A-List Private Consultation, and our advisors will help you crunch the numbers.

School policies

Tips for making the right choice

Ask yourself...

• What’s motivating this? Is it enuine interest, or career planning, or both?
• Would a major + minor setup be enough? Do I really need more than that?
• Am I ready for the workload, both mentally and financially?

Test the waters first

• Take intro courses in both subjects as early as you can.
• Get involved in related clubs or campus activities where possible.
• Talk to current students or professors in each department.
• Use academic advising (at your college) regularly and early.

Don’t rush

You don’t have to decide on everything in your first semester. Many students change their majors after a year or two. What matters most is staying open-minded and flexible in your attitude.

Final thoughts

There is no ‘better’ choice between a double major and a dual degree—just what is better for you. One gives you more credentials, but is longer, more difficult, and costlier. The other gives more efficiency and flexibility, but might not carry the weight you need it to if you want to pursue more than one career in the future. One might align more with your interests, the other with your career goals. Ultimately, only you know what’s right for you. Think on all the advice you have read here and take your time.

And if you are feeling overwhelmed or unsure, that is totally normal. An A-List Private Consultation can walk you through your options, explain how the colleges you want to go to handle these types of programmes, and help you build a path that actually works for you.

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