Can You Get a Bachelor's Degree in 2 Years or Less?

A growing number of Americans are pursuing a bachelor's degree. However, this milestone also comes with a considerable investment of time and money. According to data from the Education Data Initiative, bachelor's degrees usually take about four to five years and cost more than $38,000 annually for each learner [1].

If you want to save the money and time you’ll spend getting a four-year degree, getting a bachelor's degree in two years or less in certain situations may be possible. Explore some benefits of getting a bachelor's degree this quickly and find alternatives to an accelerated bachelor's degree.  

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Can you get a bachelor's degree in 2 years or less?

Yes. One common misconception about bachelor's degrees is the belief that getting one strictly takes four years. Just as people needing additional time can stretch it to six years, you also have options to accelerate the process. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option or want to enter the workforce quicker, several strategies can help you get a bachelor's degree in two years or less under the right circumstances.  

Tips for getting a bachelor's degree in 2 years

A few tips can help you get your bachelor's degree more quickly. Depending on your situation and time availability, you might be able to cut the typical amount of time it takes students to earn a bachelor's degree in half.

Look for an accelerated degree program.

Standard bachelor's programs usually offer two 15-week terms per year. Following this schedule, getting a bachelor's degree can take four to five years or longer, depending on whether a learner’s full-time course load falls at the higher or lower end. Factors that can slow the completion time for earning a bachelor's include failure of a course or courses and part-time enrollment due to employment.

An accelerated degree program typically offers shorter terms and greater schedule flexibility than a standard bachelor's program. While some offer in-person classes, others offer online courses or a combination. Depending on the time you must commit to school, a two-year undergraduate degree might be a real possibility.

Test out of courses if possible.

If you've taken advanced placement (AP) classes in high school or you have a good deal of work experience in a particular field, you may be able to "test out" of certain college courses. The ability to test out of classes means you can reduce your bachelor's completion time by a little or a lot, depending on your level of knowledge. If you are interested in a particular school, call or email the registrar to determine if they offer competency-based bachelor's programs.

Opt for a school offering a flexible schedule.

If you're looking for flexibility, consider an online bachelor's program. Many online undergraduate degree programs allow you to tailor your school schedule to fit your needs with asynchronous classes. This flexibility enables you to take classes anytime and from anywhere as long as you can access a computer. So, if you have a job, you can work during the day and study nights and weekends or vice versa. 

Take college-level courses in high school.

Teenagers who want to get a bachelor's degree quickly can start in high school. Ways to earn college credit in high school include:

• Advanced placement (AP) or international baccalaureate (IB) classes and corresponding exams, which often provide general education credit for college

• College Level Examination Program (CLEP), which offers 34 different exams for testing out of introductory-level college courses

• Dual enrollment, which provides high school and college credits at the same time

Typically, these programs apply to juniors and seniors in high school and require participation by the high school and college. Talking to your counselor is an excellent starting point to get more information and to determine the best options. 

Enroll in summer courses.

You have an opportunity to graduate earlier if you attend summer school. With fewer classes to focus on and smaller class sizes in the summer, it might be a good time to tackle your more challenging courses.

Benefits of getting a bachelor's degree early

Students have various reasons for wanting to hasten the college graduation process. Explore just a few benefits of getting your bachelor's degree early.

Less educational expense

According to the Education Data Initiative, the annual cost of tuition and expenses at a public college averages $9,750 for in-state students and $28,445 for out-of-state students. For a private institution, the average annual cost comes to $38,421 [1]. Considering the price tag accompanying a four-year degree, the potential savings of early graduation could be significant.  

Quicker entry into the workforce

Some people prefer working and earning money to sitting in classrooms and studying. An accelerated bachelor's degree might be a good option.

Greater marketability 

A bachelor's degree could make you a more marketable job prospect, depending on your chosen professional field. Therefore, graduating early could give you a competitive edge over your peers.

Increased earnings

Getting a bachelor's degree will likely significantly boost your annual earnings. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, people from 25 to 34 years of age with a high school diploma earned a median annual salary of $41,800 in 2022. People of the same age who earned their bachelor’s made a median yearly salary of $66,600 [2]. 

Alternatives to an accelerated bachelor's degree

If you're still wondering whether to get an accelerated bachelor's degree, it may help to know that you have some alternatives. Consider these options:

Associate degree

Depending on the program, you can complete an associate degree in two years or less. You'll save money getting an associate degree and likely make more when you graduate than with a high school diploma. Some programs even allow you to transfer your credits if you decide to get a bachelor's degree.

Trade school

Enrolling in trade school might save you time and money compared to an accelerated bachelor's program if you're interested in a specific trade. Typically, trade school lasts 12 to 24 months, depending on the program.

Some programs you can study include the following:

• Building inspection

• Construction

• Cosmetology

• Culinary arts

• Cybersecurity

• Dental hygiene

• Electrician

• Massage therapy

• Respiratory therapy

• Veterinary tech

Apprenticeship

With an apprenticeship, you can work and earn a salary while you're learning a particular job. Sponsors of apprenticeships include employers and organizations like trade unions. 

Occupations that might offer an apprenticeship include:

• Boilermaker

• Carpenter

• Elevator repairer

• Glazier

• Ironworker

• Masonry worker

• Millwright

• Musical instrument repairer

• Plumber

• Sheet metal worker

Professional certificates

You might consider getting a professional certificate to boost your job marketability and income potential with particular skills. Depending on program flexibility, you can complete a certificate in as little as two months or as much as two years. 

Examples of available certificate subjects include:

• Accounting

• Cloud computing

• Cybersecurity

• Health sciences management

• Human resources

• IT

• Project management

• Public administration

Getting started on Coursera

When you're ready to get your bachelor's degree, consider exploring available programs on Coursera, including options like a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Information Technology offered by Illinois Tech. In addition to degree programs from top universities worldwide, you can also find individual courses and Professional Certificate programs on Coursera.