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Is it better to double concentrate or get an BS?

I am trying to decide whether I should receive an AB in Computer Science, and also pick up a degree in Economics, or if it would be better for me to get a BS in Computer Science only. I'm not sure of two things: 1) if a Bachelor of Arts gets as much respect as a Bachelor of Science, and 2) if double majors give you a heavy advantage in the job market. If the advantage is negligible or AB degrees aren't good, then I would probably want to just focus on CS. This will impact whether I take Econ classes this semester and next semester. (My school does not have minors, but the AB degree has about 12 classes, and the SCB has about 20 classes).

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Daniel’s Answer

for 1) Basically, yea. The name of the degree isn't going to matter overmuch. However that said, if the quality of the courses for your BA is lacking in certain areas (for example doesn't place as much emphasis on algorithms / data structures), then you may have a harder time getting a job, due to skills. So, it'll depend on what that 8 class difference is... But just the degree on paper, no it shouldn't matter a lot.


2) Really depends on the major and the area you're applying to jobs in. If you have your eyes set on the finance industry (which does employ a rather lot of programmers / comp sci people), then my guess is a finance degree can't hurt. Outside of the finance industry... may not help you at all. I have three separate undergraduate degrees (BS CS, B. CompEng, B.Electrical Eng), and the non-cs degrees helped me exactly 0. So ended up being more or less a waste of an additional 2+ years' worth of classes.
Thank you comment icon I guess I miss some theory, artificial intelligence, linear algebra, and systems. I'm not really sure if those are important? I am just an inexperienced freshman idk Anina
Thank you comment icon Right now I'm leaning towards CS though- I just enjoy the classes more so far. Anina
Thank you comment icon Yea then I'd go with what you enjoy more, if that happens to be CS. Even without a finance degree, you can still get a job in a finance company writing software with just a CS degree. You can take a few finance classes and see if you like it. Daniel Moy
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