While the average time it takes to graduate college is inching closer to five years than the usual four, some schools are attempting to get their students through in only three years.
A three-year graduation is normal for students in Europe, but few U.S. colleges have embraced the idea. But with the economy still in a recession and the cost of getting a degree increasing as colleges try to make up for lost funding, some schools are offering three-year degree programs to make college more affordable.
In February, Hartwick College announced it would offer a three-year graduation program starting in fall 2009. The Oneonta, N. Y.–based private school decided to offer the program to help lower costs for student by eliminating an entire year of tuition and fees, said Francis Borrego, director of marketing and communications for Hartwick College.
“We know that private education is rapidly becoming out of reach for the vast majority of families in the United States,” he said.
Enrolling in the three-year program will cut the cost of attending Hartwick by around 25 percent Borrego said, amounting to around $40,000.
Students have to meet a few requirements to enter the three-year program, such as holding a 3.0 grade point average coming into college, completing 40 credits each year and paying a $500 fee.
In order to finish college a year early, students in Hartwick’s three year program will have to take 18 credits in the fall and spring semesters, and an additional four credits in a special January session only open to them. The higher course load means three-year graduates won’t have to take summer classes or extra online classes, Borrego said, so they’ll still be able to do summer internships and study abroad programs like four-year graduates.
“It is the same educational experience and opportunity as our traditional four-year program, only in three years,” Borrego said.
While the rising costs of college have lead more universities to consider three-year degrees, it hasn’t become a widespread practice.
Rita Kean, dean of undergraduate studies for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said UNL doesn’t currently offer three-year graduations for any of its programs, and there haven’t been any formal discussions about adding a three-year degree option.
And even for schools that do offer a three-year program, it doesn’t always take.
Upper Iowa University began offering three-year degrees a few years ago, but only five students signed up for the program. All five students still took four years to complete their degrees, and no one else has used the program since.
While three-year graduations haven’t caught on yet, Borrego said he thinks more schools will consider the program as the economy continues to struggle and the cost of college remains high.
“Because of the national discussion about the cost and value of postsecondary education, I do believe colleges will look into alternative degree programs,” he said.
adamziegler@dailynebraskan.com
