10 Best 3-Year Bachelor's Degree Programs in 2025

When most people think about higher education, they generally think of two-year associate degrees and four-year bachelor's degrees. However, the increased availability of online and self-paced degrees has led to various 3-year undergraduate degree options.

Students can utilize fast-track programs to finish a bachelor's degree in 3 years from numerous accredited schools. These programs include the same courses and material as a traditional four-year degree but usually include higher course loads per semester, self-paced courses, or summer sessions.

If you're looking to earn a bachelor's in an accelerated timeframe, a 3-year degree might be the right fit for you.

Is It Possible To Earn a Bachelor's Degree in Three Years?

It is possible to earn a bachelor's degree in three years, as opposed to the more traditional four-year path. Some of the top ways to get a bachelor's degree fast include taking courses during summer semesters, taking above the standard credit load, or finding self-paced/accelerated courses.

Earning a four-year bachelor's degree on an accelerated timeline will involve hard work and dedication, but it can be done with the right work ethic, program selection, and academic support programs available to you.

What Are the Benefits of Completing a College Degree in Three Years?

There are many benefits of completing your college degree in three years instead of four. One of the main advantages of a three-year bachelor's degree program is that the accelerated timeline can lead to starting a career or graduate school more quickly. Some academic programs are even designed as 3+1 options, resulting in a bachelor's and master's degree in four years, as opposed to the more traditional six.

Additionally, choosing a 3-year college degree option may remove up to a year of tuition, depending on the schedule and curriculum. Schools that don't have semester caps often have a flat tuition rate for any amount of credit hours above full-time enrollment, meaning a student can take more classes in a semester without paying any more.

3-Year Bachelor's Degree Programs

Students can find accelerated bachelor's degree online and on campus in popular fields of study, including business, cybersecurity, and psychology. These 3-year degree options provide a full college experience while maximizing cost savings.

1. Business

Business degrees are some of the most popular bachelor's degrees due to the ability to choose individual specialties, including marketing, accounting, and human resources management. These accelerated degree programs can still include internships and other valuable experiences.

• Adelphi University: Adelphi University offers a 3-year track for its Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) in business degree programs, utilizing summer classes at no additional tuition cost. Students at the New York campus can participate in the same internships and business school competitions as traditional 4-year degree students.
• Brigham Young University-Pathway: The BYU-Pathway is an online, accelerated degree program coordinated through the BYU-Idaho campus. This degree plan combines certification credentials and general education courses to build towards a baccalaureate degree.
• Westminster College.: Westminster College offers several ''Degree in 3'' programs, including a business degree with seven concentrations to choose. Westminster restructures courses so more can be completed in a single semester. Westminster also offers a 3+1 MBA with guaranteed acceptance for students with a 3.0 GPA after completing their 3-year bachelor's.

2. Business Administration

Students focused on learning management skills can earn business administration degrees in three years. These degrees will prepare learners for management positions and can lead directly to accelerated MBA programs, both online and on-campus.

• Nova Southeastern University: The accelerated Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree program at Nova Southeastern University has eight concentrations, including health, real estate, and finance. Students will utilize summer classes to earn the same college credits as their traditional classmates.
• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts was one of the first universities in the state to offer a three-year program. Students in this program can enroll in on-campus, online, and hybrid opportunities to customize their learning path.
• Milligan University: Milligan University offers three-year BA and BS in business administration degrees, as well as an accelerated MBA. Milligan students take either 17 or 17.5 credits per semester for six semesters, avoiding the need for summer sessions.

3. Biology

Biology bachelor's degrees are often necessary for veterinary, medical, and other graduate programs. These three-year degree options allow students to complete a degree with accreditation and move to graduate school more quickly:

• Regis College: Biology students at Regis can earn their degree in three years using a hybrid plan that includes on-campus courses in the fall and the spring with online summer courses. This degree is designed to serve as a pre-med degree, but it can also lead to Regis College's education degrees.
• Lynn University: Lynn University offers two 3-year BS in biology degrees, a standard degree and one with a forensic science concentration. This degree is designed to prepare students for work in the medical field, as well as related fields like biotechnology or criminal justice.

4. Graphic Design

Graphic designers can work in numerous industries, including marketing agencies and in-house teams at major corporations. Students can earn their degree at an accelerated rate in online formats.

• Southern New Hampshire University: The online Bachelor of Arts in graphic design at SNHU can be completed in fewer than four years thanks to the generous transfer policy and self-paced coursework opportunities.
• Johnson & Wales University: Students at Johnson & Wales can enroll in a 90-credit, three-year bachelor's degree in graphic design. This pathway requires fewer credits than a standard bachelor's degree, allowing students to take the standard course load each semester while still finishing early.

5. Psychology

Psychology undergraduate degrees generally lead to graduate programs, including doctoral-level work. These three-year programs allow students to speed up their undergraduate work while saving money for their upcoming advanced degrees:

• The College of New Jersey: Students at the College of New Jersey can take heavy course loads and use a special degree plan to earn their degree in three years. TCNJ also has academic advisors dedicated to students working on three-year degrees to provide specialized support.
• Lancaster Bible College: The online psychology BS from Lancaster Bible College takes students between three and three and a half years to complete. LBC accepts transfer credits from colleges with accreditation, as well as military and previous life experience credits.

6. Hospitality Management

Graduates of hospitality management programs are prepared for various hospitality roles, including hotel, restaurant, and tourism management. These programs will still allow for internships and other hands-on experiences:

• Johnson & Wales University: This degree has three concentration options: food and beverage, hotel and resort, or sustainable tourism. Students in this on-campus program will work with various lab and simulation settings to develop hands-on skills.
• Lynn University: Lynn University's on-campus Bachelor of Science in hospitality management can be completed on either a three- or four-year track. The three-year program offers project management, food service operations, and business strategy concentrations.

7. Computer Science

Computer science is a broad field, with degree programs focusing on software development, architecture, and more. These degrees are some of the most in demand in the modern hiring landscape:

• Western Governors University: Western Governors University offers self-paced online degrees, including a BS in computer science and an accelerated BS-to-Master of Science (MS) program that allows students to earn their bachelor's and master's degrees in only four years.
• Saint Leo University: Learners at Saint Leo University can complete a 3+1 program to earn their BS and MS in four years. This program is available to on-campus learners and includes internship opportunities across the state.

8. Accounting

Accounting is a popular degree choice � and it can be earned in three years through hybrid, online, and on-campus programs. These accelerated degrees can still qualify for CPA exam requirements due to the total credits taken:

• Adelphi University: Adelphi University allows students to earn a bachelor's degree in 3 years with an accounting concentration. This program can lead directly to Adelphi's MS in accounting degree program.
• Capella University: The Bachelor of Science in business with an accounting concentration from Capella University can be completed on the FlexPath self-pacing option. This allows students to take courses year-round and complete their bachelor's degrees ahead of schedule.

9. Communications

Communication degrees highlight the skills needed for oral, written, and multimedia communication. Students can earn an accelerated degree in communication from various schools.

• Carlow University: Students can transfer up to 90 credits to Carlow University before completing this hybrid degree. Learners can complete multiple concentrations, including social justice, digital media, and organizational management.
• Lancaster Bible College: The online communication major at LBC takes students three to three and a half years. All courses are delivered in eight-week online sessions.
• Brigham Young University-Pathway: The BYU-Pathway allows students to complete a series of communications certificates to earn their communication degree. This degree is offered fully online in partnership with BYU Idaho.

10. Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a rapidly expanding field, based on the growing usage of data in all industries. These 3-year degree programs allow learners to quickly enter this expanding career field:

• Western Governors University: WGU offers a self-paced BS in computer science, including certificate options from tech-industry leaders. About 60% of learners complete this bachelor's degree in 29 months.
• Milligan University: Milligan University's cybersecurity degree can be completed on either a three- or four-year track. Earning this degree in 3 years requires full-time enrollment and summer semesters.

Explore Accelerated Online Bachelor's Degrees

Learn more about these schools and their 3-year college degree programs by reading our school profiles and articles. Then, use our resources to contact these schools and begin your application process today.