Graduating from college is a marathon, not a sprint. Recently, the traditional 4-year path to graduation has been extended, but at what cost? Students cite reasons, such as the cost of attendance, tough course loads, or timing the economy, however, they fail to account for the cost of not graduating in four years. In this blog post we explore the reasons a 4-year college graduation timeline is beneficial to students and their future.
One of the most tangible advantages of graduating from university in 4 years is economic and financial savings. College can be pricey, and every additional year spent in college means extra lessons, fees, and living expenses. By completing your degree in 4 years, you decrease the monetary burden and student loan debt, which can accumulate over extended durations. Additionally, many scholarships and merit aid are slated for four academic years and may expire if your coursework extends beyond. That is why you should try and graduate in four or fewer years, to avoid paying more for the same degree.
Time is a valued resource in finance. The longer you spend in college, the more time you are spending paying for education instead of working in an advanced field, earning a higher income. While a college degree can significantly increase earning potential, it's also essential to consider the opportunity cost of time spent on the degree. For instance, each year spent in college is a year not spent working or entering into advanced degree studies. A four-year graduation timeline permits you to transition into your profession or graduate studies sooner, doubtlessly increasing your lifetime earnings.
A four-year degree timeline shows that you can set a goal and complete it. It illustrates to future employers that you can manage time effectively and complete coursework within a fixed time frame. It illustrates to a future employer that you are prepared to make commitments and follow through on them.
Staying on track to graduate in four years enables you to apply the skills you are learning in college and transfer them into the workforce in a reasonable time. With the rapidly changing pace of AI and its influence in the workplace, the longer college students stay in college, the higher the danger of losing momentum or missing a window to start in their career field. Completing your degree in four years ensures that your expertise remains fresh and applicable.
While graduating from university in four years isn't always possible for every student, it should continue to be a goal worth pursuing. The economic and financial savings, minimized opportunity cost, and timely skills application illustrate why four years is better. Although the direction to a 4-year graduation won't be without challenges, it is a worthwhile endeavor.
If you are on the academic road to graduate in 4 years, but your access to funding is holding you back, consider supplemental private funding from Jurna. Jurna can help close the funding gap for your Senior year, allowing you to focus on school and graduation instead of working to cover tuition.