3-Year College Degree? Enough to Save Higher Ed?

Last month, Manchester University in Indiana made headlines by becoming the first college in the state approved to offer a reduced-credit, 3-year bachelor’s degree. That’s 90 credits down from the standard 120. A full year faster. A full year cheaper.

It’s part of a growing trend in American higher education, driven by a simple idea:

What if we could make college shorter, more affordable, and more flexible?

• Brigham Young University–Idaho & Ensign College (online): Offering 3-year degrees in software development, business, family and human services, IT, and more (90–94 credits).
• Johnson & Wales University (Providence + online): NECHE-approved 3-year degrees in graphic design, computer science, hospitality management, and criminal justice (90–96 credits).
• American Public University System: Launched an accelerated Cybersecurity B.S., supported by both state and regional accreditors.

These efforts are part of the national “College-in-3” initiative and are gaining traction among state regulators and accreditors. According to Inside Higher Ed, even state systems in Pennsylvania, Texas, and Georgia are exploring similar pilots.

The Good News

One less year of college = one less year of tuition, housing, and opportunity cost. For families facing financial pressure, that’s real savings. And for motivated students who know what they want to study, a 3-year path can feel like an efficient on-ramp to the next chapter.

But...

Does It Solve the Real Problem?

Let’s be honest. Families aren’t just asking “Can we afford college?”
They’re asking:

“Is college even worth it?”

Even if you shave off a year, you’re still left with a system many see as misaligned with life after graduation. Students aren’t just looking for credentials. They’re craving connection—to purpose, to calling, to a future that feels meaningful.

This isn’t just about career readiness, either.
Yes, Trump and others have pushed colleges to become more job-focused.
But liberal arts still matter, when done right.

The Real Question

Can colleges—3-year or 4-year—help students discover who they are, what they’re good at, and how they can contribute to the world?

At GiftedTalented.com, we believe the best education isn’t about checking boxes.
It’s about building bridges between classroom and future, curiosity and contribution.

Until higher ed addresses that student-future-fit gap, the timeline—3 years or 4—won’t fix its existential crisis.