How to Get a Bachelor’s Degree Fast

Bachelor’s degrees typically take four years to earn, though many students take even longer to graduate. But what if you want to get your degree in fewer than four years?

Whether you are switching careers or have financial or personal limitations that require you to finish school fast, you can reduce your time to a degree using the strategies listed below.

By taking advantage of accelerated programs, summer courses, dual-enrollment programs, transfer credits, and custom degree plans, you may be able to complete your degree and join the workforce in just 2-3 years. We’ll help you find the fastest way to get bachelor’s degree.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

There’s more than one way to finish your bachelor’s degree faster. We’ve got five tips to help you graduate in less than four years.

One of the quickest ways to get a bachelor’s degree is to enroll in an accelerated program. These programs are designed to take three years or less to complete.

Accelerated programs often involve transferring credits from previous coursework or Advanced Placement classes, as well as summer coursework and a full, rigorous course load throughout the year. Classes may also be condensed into shorter timeframes than the typical academic quarter or semester.

Completing an associate degree or transferring college credits completed at another school can also significantly speed up the time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Schools often have established credit transfer systems and streamlined options for associate-holders so you can jump right into the courses required for your major, skipping many general education courses and prerequisites. Even transferring just a few courses worth of credits can make a difference in how quickly you graduate.

You may be used to having the summer off as a student, but if you’re open to hitting the books instead of hitting the beach when the weather turns warm, you may be able to shorten your college timeline considerably.

Summer courses are usually condensed into fewer weeks than courses in the fall or spring, but these courses may still offer the same number of credits as a longer class. The intensive pace may not be for everyone, but if you hope to get your bachelor’s degree fast, look into this option at your school.

If you’re reading this and still in high school, you may be in luck — one effective way to get a bachelor’s degree fast is to participate in a dual-enrollment program. These programs allow high schoolers to earn credit for high school completion and college credits at the same time.

Students may take classes at their high school or at a nearby community college, college, or university that partners with their school. If students are diligent about taking as many dual-enrollment courses as possible, they may have enough credits by the time they finish high school to start college as sophomores or juniors.

Most bachelor’s programs have a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to prerequisites and required courses needed to complete the major. However, custom degree plans are tailored to your specific goals and interests.

If your school offers this option, you may be able to shorten the time it takes to earn your bachelor’s degree by strategically selecting your courses and making sure they are aligned with your custom degree requirements.

You may also be able to earn college credits through prior learning assessments and can shape your degree plan around these credits.