Giles Sims, 34, was tired of losing job chances because he did not have a college degree. He has to support his wife and mother, so he needed a fast plan. Sims, who lost his job as a web developer, joined a three-year program. He said he could not stop working for four years, and a shorter program felt easier to manage. He now studies at Ensign College, a private school in Salt Lake City, Utah. There, students take fewer classes and finish sooner.

These shorter programs have become very popular. RAND, a nonprofit research group, studied them. By spring 2026, it found that colleges in 26 U.S. states offered at least one three-year bachelor's degree. Many students choose them because college in the United States costs a lot of money.

Supporters say the programs help students who cannot afford to be out of work for four years. But critics worry about several things. Students may not study enough different subjects. The new degrees may confuse employers. Entering graduate school later may also be more difficult. Some jobs also need special state licenses, and these may be harder to get.

The American Association of University Professors says the programs make a bachelor's degree worth less. "This is not innovation," said Todd Wolfson, the group's president. "This is just cutting corners."