Find Out How Long It Takes to Earn Your Degree
A lot goes into projecting a timeline for earning your degree. Will you be enrolled full or part time? Are you currently working? What program are you interested in? Do you already have college credits?
BestColleges’ degree length calculator takes all these factors into consideration to show you different pathways to reach your educational goals.
BestColleges’ Degree Length Calculator
How Long Does It Realistically Take to Earn a Degree?
The average time to earn a bachelor’s degree varies based on a student’s circumstances, but graduating in four years isn’t exactly the norm. In fact, the government stopped collecting data on four-year graduation rates after the 2014-15 school year, when 42% of students graduated in four years.
Now, data is collected on six- and eight-year graduation rates. National Student Clearinghouse research found that 61% of students in the fall 2018 cohort graduated within six years. The eight-year completion rate for the fall 2016 cohort was almost 65%.
That said, the goal is typically to earn a bachelor’s degree in four years, and with the proper planning, it could be in the cards for you.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Associate Degree?
Associate degrees typically require 60 credits to complete, but requirements may vary by program or institution. Most associate degrees can be completed within two years.
There are also some ways to accelerate the timeline to earn an associate degree. You may be eligible for credit for prior learning (CPL), for example, which can lead to faster degree completion.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor’s Degree?
A typical bachelor’s degree requires 120 semester credit hours.
However, credits earned during an associate degree program can typically count toward a bachelor’s program. Additionally, accelerated online baccalaureate programs can expedite the time it takes to earn your degree.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Master’s Degree?
A master’s degree requires 30-60 college credits. Length varies widely based on program, as some disciplines have strict requirements for licensure.
Dual-degree programs often allow you to take graduate-level courses while you pursue a bachelor’s, which may help you earn a master’s more quickly.
How to Get Your Degree Faster
There are many ways to earn a degree faster than usual. Accelerated programs exist at nearly all degree levels, and dual-degree programs help you earn a master’s degree while you pursue a bachelor’s.
Online learning may offer flexibility to earn credits quickly, too.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Degree Length Calculator
This tool calculates how long it’ll take you to get your degree based on traditional credit requirements and your chosen study pace. It finds the remaining credits you’ll need to complete and converts them to terms and years, assuming one class is roughly three credit hours and takes eight hours of study per week.
The degree length calculator also populates some recommended online programs.
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