More US colleges are offering three-year degrees — but students should know the risks

NewsWorldAmericasMore US colleges are offering three-year degrees — but students should know the risksA growing number of colleges are offering three-year degree programs, which cut a year off a traditional bachelor's with reduced creditHeather Hollingsworth Monday 24 August 2026 20:54 BSTBookmarkBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":false,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"CF1:3037938To1","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/college-degree-three-year-programs-university-b3038476.html","title":"More colleges are offering three-year degrees — but students should know the risks"}}open image in gallery{"id":"trigger-autogallery-262553","index":0}As of this spring, 26 U.S. states feature a college offering at least one reduced-credit, three-year bachelor's (Getty Images/iStockphoto)The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USEmail*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice{"className":"sc-1ge0fwe-0","newsletterData":{"pianoFieldName":"receiveEveningHeadlinesUSNews","regTitle":"Evening Headlines","subscriptionGroup":"us_evening_headlines","subscriptionGroupId":"4326e634-422a-4447-8e1e-604a937cd3b5","type":"daily_news","pathPrefix":["/us","/news/world/americas","/news/world/americas/crime"],"title":"The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday","mobileTitle":"Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US","imageSrc":"https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/images/newsletters/usEveningHeadlines1_1.png","label":"I would like to receive morning headlines Monday - Friday plus breaki...