While some Americans worry about the cost of higher education today or AI workforce disruption, college students today believe in the value of the college degree they’re earning. A recent Gallup study, “The College Reality Check: What Students Believe vs. What America Believes,” indicated that about nine in 10 students say they are learning career-relevant skills. They’re also confident their coursework will help them get a job after graduation. Recent research also shows that college graduates generally experience lower unemployment and higher lifetime earnings.
These statistics don't mean all families are convinced college is worth the investment. But maybe a question for families considering college is: “How can students graduate on time and maximize the value of their education?”
The final cost of college depends on the number of semesters you spend in school. It's why the four-year graduation rate is a metric that matters. If you are wondering whether a college is worth the cost, ask yourself, “Can I successfully navigate this college experience and earn a degree on time?” Keep reading to get a better understanding of time-to-graduation and how to make sure you cross that stage when you expect to!
Despite estimated tuition costs, every extra semester means extra tuition, housing, meal plans, books, tech fees, etc. One student may finish college in four years and another in six. The latter may end up spending tens of thousands of dollars more than the first.
In recent years, a six-year graduation rate has been the norm across the country, and the reasons students struggle to stay on track can vary significantly. Their progress can slow if they change majors later in the college journey or if required classes are not available during a critical semester. Sometimes, personal responsibilities can force a student to drop hours or prevent them from taking the right number of courses
Most colleges require roughly 120 credit hours that combine general education courses and deep study in a major. Typically, a full class load is 15 hours (five classes), amounting to about 120 hours over eight semesters, or four years.
Because graduation rates can affect the cost and time to degree, comparing this metric at institutions you are interested in can help you figure out what questions to ask when visiting. For example, in the state of Georgia, about one-third of students graduate from public universities in four years; that’s nearly half the graduation rate of Berry students! At the same time, Berry students graduate on average with comparable debt to that of state schools.
Many colleges share their graduation rates on statistics webpages. They vary widely among institutions. But one reality is clear: no college graduates every student in four years. Although the federal government calculates “success” based on a six-year graduation rate, most schools share the percentage of students who finish in four years. For example, over the past few years, Berry College’s four-year graduation rate has hovered around the 70% mark. That means about seven out of 10 students graduate on time.
The institution and the students must work together to stay on track to graduation. Students must make thoughtfully informed academic choices while colleges do their part with strong advising, clear degree pathways and support systems. When they partner, students graduate at optimal rates.
Challenges can happen when sticking to a four-year timeline. A class may be full or the number of sections limited. Or you may not know about the tools your college has to keep you on track. Here are some sure-fire ways to make sure you are progressing while making the most of your education.
You may have a general direction you want to explore when starting college. It's helpful to dip a toe into an area of study rather than fully committing to a major early on. You'll avoid spending time on unnecessary courses.
Try introductory sections that also count toward general education courses. You can use the core curriculum to explore different subjects you may not have been able to try in high school. If you do decide to change majors, don’t fret. Your advisor will work with you to see how the coursework might overlap or count toward certain requirements in a degree.
Once you know your direction, map out all the required courses and prerequisites. If you believe your field requires further schooling, consider what applies to both. Your advisor may have figured out a lot of the details for you, but it's still your job to ask good questions and make sure you understand what you are signing up for, when and why.
Meet with your advisor every semester to make sure you are still on track and curriculum changes have not affected your course of study. Having another pair of eyes will help you avoid scheduling errors or gaps. Also, make sure you know exactly when registration is and how to log in. Getting the wrong class or not making it into a class can set you back.
Summer is not typically considered part of the “four years.” It is a great time to study abroad or get an internship. But it can also provide an opportunity to get ahead or catch up on classes that you didn’t get or had to drop. Taking summer classes can reduce your coursework during a regular semester too. Or it can prevent having to schedule an overload of courses.
Make sure that you understand how your coursework and hours map to your financial aid. Some students don’t realize they may lose a scholarship if they don’t take enough hours. If you plan to earn credits abroad or in the summer, meet with a financial counselor. That way, you’ll avoid financial surprises.
As you compare schools, look into the ways colleges support students beyond traditional advising. For example, Berry College has created a framework that defines four steps in the college experience for supporting graduate preparedness.
In the early stages of college, known as the launch phase at Berry, students reflect, set goals and plan. They're grouped by interest and paired with mentors in first-year seminars. During these classes, the faculty allot time for reflection on why students came to college and what they hope to accomplish. The goal is for students to choose a major with confidence and a clear understanding of the degree requirements. During this course, they also build relationships with advisors and mentors. Having a plan and choosing with intention makes students less likely to lose credits through major changes or to experience poor course sequencing.
As students move away from an exploratory college moment and home in on their interests, colleges support opportunities for connecting values to coursework and ultimately to career options.
One way Berry facilitates this support is through the Designing Your Life at Berry and Beyond course. It helps students connect their strengths, values and goals with academic and career decisions. When students have a personal connection to a degree and a clear understanding of why they are pursuing a certain field, they stay motivated. As a result, they're less likely to change direction late in college.
The third phase emphasizes practically applying classroom knowledge in the real world. This step doesn’t necessarily mean taking on more outside of coursework responsibility. A course might require an internship, special research or a study abroad. Such experiences allow students to connect concepts, see the bigger picture and experience opportunities to fail in a safe environment. Research suggests that students engaged in high-impact practices persist through college to graduation.
At Berry, the final phase of the college journey involves senior seminars or special electives. Students connect different experiences so they can articulate their full story and preparation. This self-awareness helps them as they enter a season of networking and interviewing. Understanding how their education links to life after college reinforces the value of staying the course and maintaining momentum through senior year.
Customer service is not easy these days. It can be difficult to connect with a real person. There's great value when faculty, mentors and financial aid counselors know you personally. When you are a tiny data point in a sea of students, you may get lost. Lacking a support system could delay graduation past four years, adding financial pressure.
Graduation rates represent more than institutional statistics. They speak to how well an institution provides clear pathways for student success and indicate the level of faculty and staff support. When you're researching colleges, look for institutions that guide you while encouraging you to take ownership of your education journey. It's key to making smart college choices.
Want to check out a college where graduates leave with three or more mentors? Get to know Berry.
