Tuition

Length of time to complete a degree.

According to the report, several factors contribute to the lengthy time it can take to get a degree, including insufficient course offerings, work and family obligations, and the need for students to finish remedial courses.

A student who gets a degree in six years from a Los Angeles-area community college will incur an extra $120,000 in expenses and lost wages over his or her career compared to someone who finished in two years. The median student took 4.7 years to reach the goal of an earned bachelor's degree from a Cal State campus during the 2011-12 academic year.

Bachelor’s

The average amount of time to graduate is 2 years compared to 4 years or more at most universities.

1. Based on a student who transfers in with the equivalent of an Associate’s degree. Transfer credits will vary depending on your past college coursework
2. Based on a student who takes 3 out of 3 semesters per year
3. Based on a student who takes 2 courses (e.g., 6 units) per session, every session (e.g., E1 & E2)
4. Students may be able to graduate even faster by transferring in additional credits

Master’s

The average amount of time to graduate is 1 year compared to 2 years or more at most universities.

Based on a student who takes 3 out of 3 semesters per year. 2 Based on a student who takes 2 course (e.g., 6 units) per session, every session (e.g., E1 & E2).

Doctorate

The average amount of time to graduate is 2 years compared to 4 years or more at most universities.

Based on a student who takes 3 out of 3 semesters per year. 2 Based on a student who takes 2 course (e.g., 6 units) per session, every session (e.g., E1 & E2).

Reference

Collegecampaign.org. (2014). The Real Cost of College: Time & Credits to Degree. The campaign for college opportunity.

Song, J. (2014). Many California community college students need 4 years to graduate. Los Angeles Times.

USA Today. (2014). Where the jobs are.

U.S. News & World Report. (2015). 10 Most Expensive Public Online MBA Programs.