{
  "id": 2943912,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T04:23:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/three-year-college-degree-ab4f336a8b4d3abd97980133a84a4007"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A shift towards shortened college degrees, amounting to three years, is gaining traction in the United States, promising both time and cost savings. Yet, some critics remain unconvinced about the merits of this emerging trend.\n\nGiles Sims, a 34-year-old former web developer, is among the many embracing this innovative approach. Struggling to secure employment due to his lack of a degree, Sims opted for a three-year program at Ensign College, a private institution in Salt Lake City. The reduced credit format, which requires just 90 hours compared to the conventional 120, alleviated his concerns about lengthy unemployment periods. \"I can't afford to be out of the workforce for four years,\" he remarked, emphasizing the appeal of the three-year degree to him.\n\nThe popularity of these condensed programs has surged, with 26 U.S. states now hosting at least one college offering a three-year bachelor's degree, according to the RAND nonprofit research group. Proponents argue that these programs present a viable solution to the escalating college affordability crisis, particularly beneficial for non-traditional students such as Sims.\n\nHowever, not everyone shares this optimistic view. Critics express concerns over potential negative consequences. The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) asserts that these programs undermine the essence of a college education, labeling them as \"cutting corners.\" Todd Wolfson, AAUP's president, maintains that these reduced-credit degrees devalue the significance of a college credential. The programs, they argue, narrow the scope of learning, confuse employers, limit graduate school opportunities, and pose challenges in fields that necessitate state licensure.\n\nWhile presenting a new avenue for quicker graduation, these three-year degrees undoubtedly raise questions about their long-term impact on higher education in the U.S.",
  "summary": "Giles Sims, 34, was sick of getting passed over for jobs because he didn’t have a college degree. But with a wife and a widowed mother to help support,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free 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",
        "published": "2026-08-24T04:07:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}