Baccalaureate vs Bachelor: What's the main difference?

Hey everybody, I've heard these two terms thrown around whenever college and degrees are being discussed. Baccalaureate and Bachelor... aren't they the same thing? What exactly is the difference between them? Thanks for any insight you can give!

Hey there! Certainly, there's a lot of lingo when it comes to discussing university degrees, so it's great that you're trying to clarify the difference. Essentially, baccalaureate and bachelor's degree generally refer to the same level of college degree — the undergraduate level. It's the first degree most students earn after high school. Many colleges and universities in the United States, in general language, use the term "bachelor's" more often when referring to the types of degrees they offer, such as a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.).

Now, the term "baccalaureate" can also refer to a ceremony held at some high schools and colleges. It is a sort of farewell address or event held for the graduating class, often a week or so before the actual graduation ceremony. Some people might refer to this as the baccalaureate ceremony. But in the context of a degree, baccalaureate and bachelor's are interchangeable. Hope that helps!