Rising costs of higher education are prompting some students to reconsider the traditional four-year path to a bachelor’s degree, as colleges across the country experiment with shorter programs.
At least 26 universities in the United States, including Seton Hall, now offer three-year degree programs. Some programs reduce the number of credits required for graduation, while others combine undergraduate and graduate coursework to allow students to complete their education in less time.
A typical four-year bachelor's degree requires about 120 credits, while New America reported that some newer three-year programs require as few as 90 credits. For students facing rising tuition and an uncertain job market, completing a degree sooner can mean both saving money and entering the workforce earlier.
The cost of attending college remains a major concern for students and families. Tuition and fees averaged nationally about $11,950 for in-state students at public colleges and $45,000 at private nonprofit institutions during the 2025-26 school year.
At the same time, colleges are dealing with financial pressures of their own. Hundreds of four-year institutions are showing signs of financial stress as schools deal with declining enrollment, falling tuition revenue and other economic pressures.
At SHU, tuition increased 3.25% in the FY27 budget, raising posted tuition by $847. In an email to the university community, Edward J. Bishof Sr., vice president for finance and chief financial officer, said inflation and increased energy prices drove the increase.
For students weighing those costs, accelerated degrees can offer one way to shorten the time spent earning a degree and, consequently, reduce tuition costs.
Seton Hall’s Accelerated Options
SHU offers a variety of accelerated degree programs including a 3+3 Law program, in which students can complete their undergraduate studies and J.D. in six years and a 3+3 B.S./M.S. Physician Assistant program. SHU also offers a B.S./Doctor of Physical Therapy pathway and several 3+2 and other dual-degree options.
Angela Amoroso, assistant director of graduate admissions and recruitment for the university’s College of Arts and Sciences, said the programs appeal to students who already have an idea of the career or graduate program they want to pursue.
“One of the primary benefits is the potential to save both time and tuition,” Amoroso said.
Eligible students can complete up to nine graduate credits at the undergraduate flat-rate tuition while maintaining their undergraduate financial aid eligibility, Amoroso said. Those credits reduce the amount of coursework students must complete after entering graduate school.
Amoroso said increased interest in accelerated programs reflects students’ desire to make thoughtful investments in their education amid a national affordability crisis and a shrinking job market. She noted that students have planned their undergraduate and graduate studies together, rather than viewing them as two separate experiences.
“In a competitive and evolving job market, additional specialized education can be one way for students to distinguish themselves and develop expertise in an area of interest,” Amoroso said.
While these three-year programs may be appealing due to their reduced degree timeline and cost, Amoroso said students should consider how these programs align with their career goals. She recommended students speak with their academic advisors early to understand the academic requirements, costs, financial aid implications and potential career benefits of the programs available.
Those considerations—academics, finances, career benefits—are exactly what some SHU students say drew them to a shorter degree path.
For SHU students, time and cost matter
For Zoey Jurkin, a biology major in SHU’s 3+3 Biology/Physician Assistant Studies program, direct admission into the graduate program was a major factor in her enrollment decision.
“Guaranteed acceptance into the master’s program is very enticing,” Jurkin said. “Not only does Seton Hall offer a great PA program, but it also is in a great area with many opportunities post-grad which is more convenient for me.”
Jurkin said the program allows her to avoid taking a gap year and applying separately to physician assistant programs. Instead, she said she can focus on clinical and educational experiences while progressing toward her career.
“Additionally, one less year allows me to save a full year’s worth of tuition,” Jurkin said.
For Lizi Lomashvili, a political science major in SHU’s 3+3 Law program, affordability was a major consideration.
“I wanted to enroll in this program because I wanted to get a head start in my career and start law school a little bit early, as well as be able to pay less tuition,” Lomashvili said.
Lomashvili said inflation also influenced her decision because the program eliminates a year of tuition compared to the traditional four year path.
“The economy definitely had an influence on my decision to enroll because tuition is very expensive and having one less year of it is beneficial,” Lomashvili said.
For Samantha Youssef, a biology major in the 3+3 Biology/M.S Physicians Assistants program at SHU, the financial benefits extended beyond saving a year of undergraduate tuition.
“Through a 3+3 program, I save a full year of undergrad,” Youssef said, “and I’m able to use my scholarship money to allocate to my fourth year/first graduate year, which was a major plus for me.”
Youssef said being directly admitted into her graduate program also allowed her to avoid some of the additional expenses associated with applying to graduate schools.
“Additionally, being in a direct admit program, I saved a lot of money not needing to take my GREs or apply to graduate schools, since I had direct entry already,” Youssef said. “The financial burden of attending university, alongside the costs of applying for graduate school was a major consideration I had, and this program got rid of that concern completely.”
While affordability influenced some students’ decisions, others were drawn to the structure of accelerated programs and the clear path they provide toward their intended careers.
Kaitlyn Fedo, a social and behavioral sciences major enrolled in SHU’s 3+2 Occupational Therapy program, said she knew she wanted to pursue occupational therapy and valued having a direct route into graduate school.
“I wanted to enroll in the 3+2 program because I knew I wanted to pursue a career in occupational therapy, and I liked that the program gave me a clear path from my undergraduate degree into graduate school,” Fedo said.
Kyle Desai, a student enrolled in SHU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy 3+3 program, similarly knew early he wanted to pursue physical therapy. He said the accelerated pathway provided both financial savings and a shorter route into his profession.
“The three-year degree program provided cost relief compared to other physical therapy programs at different universities that would have a four year undergraduate portion as well as a three-year graduate portion,” Desai said.
The shorter timeline also allows students to begin working in their intended fields sooner, Desai said.
“It’s important for students to have access to three-year programs because it allows them to get their degree earlier and get into the workforce sooner in the profession they desire,” Desai said.
Youssef said the time saved by accelerated programs can also give students more opportunities to gain professional experience before entering competitive fields.
“I think it’s important for students to have access to three-year programs because it allows them to finish up their academic career early to dedicate more time to pursuing a post-bachelor’s degree, explore internships, or get experience in the workforce,” Youssef said.
The Tradeoffs of a Shorter Degree
While a shorter path may offer financial and professional advantages, it has also prompted questions about what students may sacrifice for a faster path to graduation. Critics of accelerated degree pathways worry that reduced-credit programs could narrow or rush students' education, cause confusion among employers, complicate graduate-school admission or create licensing issues in certain professions.
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) said in a statement that accelerated degree programs decrease the value of a four-year bachelor’s degree by minimizing learning opportunities with its shorter timespan.
“A bachelor's degree should both prepare students for the workforce and provide them with deep learning, broad intellectual development, and sustained engagement with faculty and peers—not simply the fastest possible route to the labor market,” AAUP said. “Compressing or reducing the curriculum threatens to narrow students' education at precisely the moment when society needs graduates with stronger critical thinking, communication skills, scientific literacy, and civic understanding.”
While those concerns have fueled debate over the broader value of accelerated degrees, students enrolled in SHU programs say their decisions often come down to how a shorter path fits their individual academic, financial and career goals.
Grace Diana is a writer for the Setonian’s news section. She can be reached at grace.diana@student.shu.edu.
