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How Many Years Of College Does It Take?
If you're asking yourself how many years of college does it take to get my degree, the answer is probably less clear-cut than you'd like. The duration of your college experience depends on several factors including the degree you're pursuing, the college you're attending, and whether you're attending full-time, part-time, or continuing your education online.
For a Traditional Bachelor's Degree, Think Four Years
A bachelor's degree from a traditional college or university is designed to take full-time students four years to complete. Usually, this means taking courses all terms (eight semesters) excluding the summer. However, some students find that due to work, family, or certain course requirements, they are unable to complete school in four years. According to the Oregon University System's 2004 Fact Book, only 43.3% of students complete a bachelor's degree within four years at U.S. public four-year institutions. This means that 39.3% take between four and five years, and 11.4% take between five and six.
If You Want to Graduate in Four Years
If you're concerned about finishing in four years, talk to your college advisor about your course plan--sometimes students get tripped up because they fail to take courses at the right time or the right sequence. It's also smart to talk to the admissions office of the school you plan to attend to ask them the percentage of their students who graduate in four years. See which majors tend to take longer. It's also important to note that some students can finish in three years. This takes incredible focus and determination, but it is possible. And online degree programs often offer the most efficient means of completing a bachelor's degree--all while you stay employed fulltime.
The following schools can provide you with more information about attending college:
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