{
  "id": 2937613,
  "title": "3-year college degrees grow more popular in the US, saving time and cash. But critics aren’t sold",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/3-year-college-degrees-grow-more-popular-in-the-us-saving-time-and",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T04:07:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/2026/08/23/3-year-college-degrees-grow-more-popular-in-the-us-saving-time-and-cash-but-critics-arent-sold"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Giles Sims, a 34-year-old web developer, was frustrated by being overlooked for job opportunities due to the lack of a college degree. With financial responsibilities to his family, he turned to a growing trend of three-year degree programs. Ensign College, a private institution in Salt Lake City, has updated its bachelor's degrees to require fewer classes than traditional four-year degrees. This condensed approach has gained popularity, with 26 U.S. states now offering at least one reduced-credit, three-year bachelor's program. Advocates argue these programs address the college affordability crisis and benefit non-traditional students like Sims. However, critics are concerned that these programs may reduce the breadth of students' education, confuse employers, limit graduate school options, and pose challenges in fields requiring state licenses. The AAUP warns that these programs devalue the significance of a college credential, calling it \"just cutting corners.\" Although three-year bachelor's degrees are common in countries like the UK, India, France, and Italy, they pose complications for students applying to U.S. graduate schools, which may require additional coursework.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Three-year degree programs gaining popularity in U.S., reducing time and cost",
    "Ensign College in Salt Lake City offers reduced-credit bachelor's degrees",
    "Critics worry about program's impact on education breadth and graduate school options"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The growing adoption of three-year college degrees in the US aims to address affordability and accessibility concerns, but raises questions about the potential impact on graduates' career prospects and further education opportunities.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Associated Press",
        "title": "3-year college degrees grow more popular in the US, saving time and cash. But critics aren’t sold",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/3-year-college-degrees-grow-more-popular-in-the-us-saving-time-and-2943912",
        "published": "2026-08-24T04:23:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}