There are several types of college degrees available:
1) Associate's degrees are awarded after 2 years of study at community or junior colleges and prepare students for specific careers or allow them to transfer to a 4-year university.
2) Bachelor's degrees are typically earned after 4 years of study at a university and provide a general education or specialized training in a field.
3) Master's degrees require 2-3 additional years of study after a Bachelor's and provide an advanced level of expertise in a subject.
4) Doctoral degrees are the highest level and involve original research culminating in a thesis on a specialized topic.