Which is the difference between an associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree? an associate’s degree is usually earned during secondary education, but a bachelor’s degree is usually earned during post-secondary education. an associate’s degree is earned by completing on-the-job training, but a bachelor’s degree is earned before training begins. an associate’s degree is earned in a college where a student studies many subjects at once, but a bachelor’s degree is earned in a career college. an associate’s degree is earned by completing a two-year college education, but a bachelor’s degree is earned by completing four years of college.