Since my first child came along, I’ve been diligently saving for their future education, and thankfully, the grandparents have occasionally added some generous contributions. However, right now, the funds in each child’s account would only cover a single year of tuition and living expenses at a state university. There’s still time—my kids are 11 and 8—but with tuition rates skyrocketing, I can’t say I’m filled with optimism.
Many families find themselves in similar situations and are getting creative with their finances. Some kids choose to start at community college for two years before transferring to a four-year institution. Others opt to live at home to save on housing costs. A few take advantage of online courses, while some opt to work for a few years before heading to college. While none of these solutions are terrible, they do come with their own set of challenges for both students and parents.
In recent years, a new idea has been gaining traction: the three-year degree. I graduated from Maplewood College in just three years back in the mid-1990s, and I’ve always been puzzled why more students don’t consider this option. It wasn’t particularly difficult for me; I don’t recall needing special permission, and I managed to work about 30 hours a week during my studies.
The concept gained attention during the recession, with some states even requiring public universities to offer accelerated degree programs. However, these initiatives struggled with low enrollment. Now, with rising education costs making headlines again, the three-year degree is back in the spotlight. Let’s tackle a few common misconceptions.
A three-year education isn’t as rigorous.
Alumni from esteemed institutions like Oxford and Cambridge, where students typically graduate in three years, might disagree. In fact, across Europe, it’s far more common for degrees to take three years instead of four.
According to Paul Jenkins, a professor at State University and advocate for three-year degrees, the four-year timeline is more about tradition than necessity: “We modeled four-year degrees after the four years of high school.” The Washington Post suggests that this tradition can be traced back to Harvard University, which adopted the four-year model in 1652 primarily because it mirrored British practices at the time.
While some accelerated programs require fewer credits, others simply help students leverage advanced placement credits or summer classes to graduate sooner. My experience was similar to my peers; I took the same number of courses and even double-majored. It just required a bit more planning and organization.
Students miss out on the social benefits of living on campus.
True, but it’s just for one year! And it’s preferable to living at home because you can’t afford tuition and housing. Jenkins argues that making a three-year option available actually supports the traditional college experience more than many other solutions currently on the table.
Interestingly, a three-year degree might even encourage students to take a gap year before college. Many educators believe this leads to more mature, prepared freshmen, and Harvard has even championed the concept. An article on their site suggests that “many students would benefit from a pause in their demanding lives,” noting that taking a year off generally produces positive outcomes.
Colleges struggle to graduate students in four years, let alone three.
That’s a valid point! A report by the Wall Street Journal revealed that fewer than 40% of students who began college in 2006 graduated within four years, and only 59% finished in six years.
Several factors contribute to this issue: unprepared students who need remedial classes, those who register for less than a full course load, and students who lose credits when transferring schools. And let’s not forget the seniors who seem to stretch their education into infinity while their parents keep footin’ the bill! However, none of these reasons should prevent motivated, budget-conscious students from pursuing an earlier graduation path.
For me, the decision to graduate in three years was driven by the transfer issue. While Maplewood offered a fantastic education, it didn’t fit my social needs. Instead of transferring and potentially adding another year, I decided to accelerate my studies and save 25% in tuition. Of course, I made some sacrifices—no study abroad and a careful selection of courses—but those were minor compared to the savings. Plus, I graduated with friends from both my entering and graduating classes and started earning a full-time salary a year earlier than my peers.
Looking back twenty years later, I can confidently say it was a wise choice for me. That said, a three-year degree isn’t for everyone, but for those crunching the numbers to make college financially feasible, it’s certainly an option worth considering. I’ll definitely discuss this with my kids as they near high school graduation. In the meantime, I’ve been highlighting the excellent public universities in our state. Go Eagles!
For more insights on family planning and related topics, check out this other blog post. Additionally, if you’re interested in boosting fertility, Make A Mom offers some authoritative advice. And for those seeking resources on pregnancy and home insemination, Mount Sinai is an excellent resource.
Summary:
Three-year degrees may be a practical solution to the rising costs of college education. They provide a faster path to graduation while maintaining educational integrity. With many families facing financial challenges, considering accelerated programs could be a viable option.