What is about the average number of years most people spend in college?

Question

I know the norm used to be four years but it has gone up has it not?

Do a lot of people still graduate in 4 years? Or is it up around 5-6? Does it really depend on what your major is?

Answer 1

Data show that people are taking longer to graduate from their 4-year degree program. The average is now closer to 5 years, which is not a bad thing. Many people have to work PT or FT throughout college, and it's better to take longer than to not finish at all. In fact, for many states, 6 years is the measurement point on whether people finished college in a "timely" manner.

Answer 2

I spent five years in college. I ended up with two degrees, but had I not added the second one on, I would have spent 4 years and one term in school. I only ever took one term off, all of the other terms I went to school straight through for 12-16 credits per term.
I switched my degree in the middle of my third year, so it set me back one term.
I think it can be done in four years, but you will have to take like 45 credits per year to do it. Most Bachelor degrees are like 190 credits or so.

Answer 3

I think it really just matters on what you're going into. There are also people who do Summer classes and get done in a shorter amount of time... then there are the others who fail courses, drop out of courses, etc. and pretty much get "held back" a semester. I know it was hard for me to get through my math class and that's what held me back from graduating when I had anticipated.

Answer 4

it depends on alot of factors... how many classes the student takes... if you pass/fail your classes... you can finish in less than four years but i'd say most still graduate in 4 years

Answer 5

5 years for my first degree
in school since 2003 to get my second one (will graduate May 2008)