education
The 4-year college degree is getting a 3-year makeover, and students could save thousands
Giles Sims, 34, was sick of getting passed over for jobs because he didn’t have a college degree.

TL;DR
- Three-year bachelor's degree programs are rapidly expanding in the U.S., with 26 states having at least one such option.
- Advocates believe these programs address college affordability and benefit non-traditional students.
- Critics worry about a narrowed curriculum, employer confusion, and barriers to graduate school and licensing.
- The condensed programs typically reduce credit hour requirements from 120 to 90, saving students a year and significant costs.
- While common in other countries, three-year degrees can pose challenges for U.S. graduate school admissions and state licensing requirements.
- The trend is driven by rising tuition costs and a desire for faster entry into the workforce.
- Private nonprofit institutions are leading the development of these programs, often online and focusing on fields like business and computer sciences.