When we think about a college education, most of us think of the traditional 4 to 5 year experience getting a bachelor’s degree. These programs usually workout pretty well for traditional students, but for those hoping to minimize their college costs and get into the workforce sooner rather than later, these programs aren’t necessarily the best option. There are now colleges which offer students the opportunity to get a bachelor’s degree in just three year. It’s also possible to take a traditional 4 year program and shove it into a 3 year schedule by taking extra classes and taking classes over the summer.
By getting your bachelor’s degree in three years rather than four, you will save a substantial amount of money on housing, meals and transportation for the fourth year of college that you never have to take. Many colleges also charge students by the quarter or semester rather than how many classes they take during that period. If this is true in your case, you’ll also end up paying a lot less in tuition by taking as many classes as you can get away with and graduating as soon as possible.
Some traditional colleges are offering course-schedules that are specifically designed to allow students to graduate in three years. The New York Times recently reported on Hartwick College (located in Upstate New York) and their new three year option for students. Their program involves students following a modified schedule and curriculum that involves them taking fall and spring classes, as well as taking class in a January term (often called a “J-Term”). At Hartwick college, taking the three year program will end up saving over $40,000 versus the 4 year program.
These 3-year degree programs may also be beneficial for state schools that are at their limits for accepting students. By decreasing the length of the programs from 4 years to 3 years, this will allow the school to increase the number of students they accept by 33% without having to hire anymore professors or build any new facilities. This will mean more revenue for the college to grow and expand as needed.
If you’re in your high-school years and mom and dad are footing the bill for college and you really want to get the most out of the “college experience” you should probably stick to a traditional 4 year program and get the most out of it. If you’re stuck paying for college yourself and want to start making money as soon as possible, definitely consider one of the new three-year options that many schools are offering.
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