Earned a degree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Earned a degree" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the successful completion of an academic program that results in a degree. Example: "After four years of hard work, she finally earned a degree in biology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He never earned a degree.

The New York Times - Books

Instead, she earned a degree in business administration.

The New York Times

He earned a degree from Fisk University (Nashville, Tenn).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Last December, he also earned a degree in psychology.

The New York Times - Sports

Bob Perry later earned a degree in history from Baylor.

The New York Times

She earned a degree in philosophy at Franklin and Marshall.

The New York Times - Arts

Later, she earned a degree in sociology from Rutgers University.

The New York Times

He earned a degree in art at Dartmouth in 1939.

The New York Times

Well done, you have earned a degree in geometeeheehee.

The Guardian

Horowitz earned a degree from the Law School in 1964.

Columbia University

Bess earned a degree in 1948 from P&S.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "Earned a degree", ensure that the context clearly indicates the field of study or the institution from which the degree was earned for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid vagueness by specifying the field of study when using "Earned a degree". For example, instead of saying "She earned a degree", say "She earned a degree in engineering" to provide specific and meaningful information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Earned a degree" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the completion of an academic program and the successful acquisition of a degree. Ludwig confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It typically includes a subject (the person who earned the degree) and often a specification of the field of study.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Earned a degree" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the successful completion of an academic program. According to Ludwig, the phrase is widely accepted and suitable for various contexts. Predominantly found in news, encyclopedias, and academic writing, it conveys information about someone's educational achievements. To enhance clarity, it is advisable to specify the field of study or institution when using this phrase. Alternatives such as "obtained a degree" or "received a degree" offer similar meanings while providing stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Obtained a degree

Replaces "earned" with "obtained", a synonym that maintains the meaning of acquiring a degree.

Received a degree

Substitutes "earned" with "received", another synonym emphasizing the act of being awarded a degree.

Graduated with a degree

Adds the context of graduation, specifying that the degree was earned upon completing a course of study.

Completed a degree program

Focuses on the completion of the academic program as the means of earning the degree.

Was awarded a degree

Emphasizes the awarding of the degree by an institution.

Secured a degree

Uses "secured" to highlight the effort and achievement involved in earning the degree.

Acquired a degree

Emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge and skills that come with earning a degree.

Attained a degree

Highlights the achievement of reaching a certain level of education.

Finished a degree

A more informal way of saying someone completed their degree.

Passed with a degree

Specifies the successful passing of requirements to earn a degree.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "earned a degree"?

Saying someone "earned a degree" means they successfully completed the required coursework and met all the necessary requirements to be awarded an academic degree from a college or university.

What is a more formal way to say "earned a degree"?

More formal alternatives to "earned a degree" include "obtained a degree" or "received a degree". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is it correct to say "earned a degree in" or "earned a degree at"?

Both are correct, but they convey slightly different information. "Earned a degree in" specifies the field of study, while "earned a degree at" indicates the institution. For example, "She earned a degree in biology" versus "She earned a degree at Harvard University".

What's the difference between "graduated with a degree" and "earned a degree"?

"Graduated with a degree" emphasizes the act of graduating from an institution and receiving the degree at that time. "Earned a degree" focuses more on the accomplishment of completing the academic requirements, regardless of the graduation ceremony.