How To Finish a Bachelor's Degree in 2 Years | 10 Tips for 2025

If you're wondering about the quickest way to get a bachelor's degree, you will be happy to learn that it is possible to get a 2-year bachelor's degree by taking courses online, enrolling in self-paced degree programs, and working your way through accelerated courses.

One of the most reliable ways to finish a bachelor's degree online in 2 years is to enroll in a completely online degree program that allows you to work at your own pace. Below, we give you an overview of some of the best 2-year online degree programs and some other essential tips for finishing your bachelor's degree in 2 years.

10 Ways To Earn Your Bachelor's Degree in 2 Years

Earning a 2-year bachelor's degree is possible with accelerated degree programs, self-paced degree programs, and online programs. You can also start working toward your bachelor's degree in high school to shorten the amount of time it takes to complete your undergraduate degree.

Below, we tell you about accelerated online bachelor's degree programs and other ways to earn your degree quickly.

1. Choose a 100% Self-Paced Degree Program

A 100% self-paced degree program from accredited self-paced online colleges can help you complete your degree quickly. You can earn your bachelor's degree online in 2 years by enrolling in as many courses as possible each semester and working quickly through the course content. Self-paced degree programs are especially convenient for working adults and nontraditional students who need to quickly complete an undergraduate degree, as the learning style lets you finish your coursework and study whenever fits into your schedule.

2. Enroll in an Accelerated Degree Program

An accelerated degree program is one that condenses the requirements of a bachelor's degree program into one or two years. These programs are academically demanding, as they require a significant time commitment and are generally very fast-paced. Still, they can be helpful for individuals who want to save money, complete their degree quickly, or enter the workforce faster. Accelerated degree programs online are especially convenient, as you can complete the courses you need for degree completion anywhere, at any time.

3. Use Prior Learning Assessments (PLAs)

Prior learning assessments (PLAs) can be an essential part of 2-year accelerated bachelor's degrees. These programs allow students to earn credit for life experiences, such as time in the military or volunteering, in addition to credits for work completed in their careers, high schools, or employer training programs. Some students may also be able to earn credit for independent study outside of a degree program.

Many accredited colleges offer some form of PLA. You will need to check with the school directly to see if you need to complete an exam to earn credit, present a portfolio of your work, or have your experience evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE).

4. Use an Associate Degree or Transfer Credits

If you already have an associate degree or prior college courses completed and you are interested in completing your bachelor's degree quickly, you can transfer these credits to your next school. Associate degrees are typically two-year programs, and you will most likely have completed general education courses that overlap with your bachelor's degree. By transferring credits from as many courses as possible to the college where you are earning your bachelor's degree, you can cut several years off of your degree program. Your college's records office will help you understand which credits you might be eligible to transfer.

5. Choose a College With No Credit Limits

Most colleges have credit limits in place for undergraduate and graduate students, which are intended to prevent students from overloading themselves or being unable to complete their courses each semester. On average, these limits fall between 12 and 15 credit hours per semester, and some students may get special permission to take up to 18 credit hours each semester.

If you choose a college with no credit limits, you won't be limited to the number of classes you can take each semester. You can complete your degree within a shorter time frame by taking as many credit hours as you can reasonably complete each semester.

6. Enroll in a 2+2 Degree Completion Program

The 2+2 degree completion program is an academic pathway where students complete the first two years of their undergraduate degree at a community college that can be transferred to a four-year school to finish their degree. When students complete all of their undergraduate credits during their associate degree program, they can focus on their major-specific courses during the bachelor's degree portion of their education. If they choose a university without credit limits, this allows them to greatly increase the pace at which their bachelor's degree is completed.

7. Take a Heavy Course Load Each Semester

Ensuring that you take a heavy course load each semester of your bachelor's program allows you to speed up your degree completion. At most colleges, one course equates to three credit hours, and you need 120 credit hours to graduate with a bachelor's degree. Enrolling in a course load of 18 credit hours or more each semester can help you complete all of your required credit hours faster. You may need to get special permission to enroll in a heavy course load each semester.

8. Find a Competency-Based Learning Program

A competency-based learning program is a unique way to master the material of your bachelor's degree and obtain your degree faster. These programs assess your skills and knowledge, ensuring you have mastered a specific skillset and any prerequisites before you progress to the next part of your degree program. The faster you show competency in a skill or knowledge base, the faster you can complete all of the required courses for your bachelor's degree, as opposed to traditional learning where you will need to work through an entire course before completing it to move on to the next set of required courses.

9. Take Year-Round Classes

Enrolling in year-round classes helps you complete your degree in less time, as you will complete coursework through the traditional breaks in the academic year. Most undergraduate colleges have two main semesters &emdash; fall and spring. You can enroll in courses during winter break, spring break, and summer break to continue earning college credits and ensure your bachelor's degree requirements are met sooner rather than later. By taking year-round classes, you can condense your bachelor's degree into a two-year program.

10. Test Out of Courses

Testing out of courses is a great way to skip basic general education requirements or use knowledge gained from work and previous time in college to speed up your degree completion. High school students can utilize AP classes and AP testing to skip certain courses. Adult learners and non-traditional students can use College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests or DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) to demonstrate their knowledge in a certain area and earn credits for it. Credits earned will count toward your college degree completion, allowing you to focus on required bachelor's degree courses.

Fastest Online Degree Programs

Self-paced options are helpful when it comes to completing your degree on your own time. Degree programs featuring online courses are especially convenient, as you can study completely on your own time without attending class in person or going to on-campus lessons.

Here are a few online colleges offering self-paced degrees:

• Western Governor's University: This college offers numerous accredited, fully online, and self-paced degree programs. Students can choose from master's degrees or bachelor's degrees in the business, healthcare, education, and technology fields, and programs are designed to be finished quickly.
• Southern New Hampshire University: The flexible online bachelor's degree programs at SNHU are designed to be completed quickly so you can obtain your degree and move on to the next phase of your life. Popular bachelor's degree choices include accounting, criminal justice, healthcare administration, and engineering.
• Capella University: Capella University provides a FlexPath program that allows students to set their own deadlines and work completely at their own pace. The faster you complete your bachelor's program, the cheaper the overall cost and the sooner you can graduate with an accredited degree.

FAQs About the Best 2-Year Degree Programs

Learning how to obtain a fast undergraduate degree online or in person can be confusing. We answer your most frequently asked questions about 2-year degree programs below.

How Hard Is It To Get a Bachelor's Degree?

Getting a bachelor's degree can be difficult, but it can also be very rewarding. You will need to complete basic general education requirements and courses for your major to earn the 120 credit hours needed to finish your degree. Enrolling in self-paced programs and online programs can help you alleviate some of the stress of studying and allow you to fit your degree requirements around your life.

Learn More: Accelerated Degree Pros and Cons

How Many Years Is a Bachelor's Degree?

Bachelor's degree programs are typically four years long. If you enroll in an accredited online or self-paced program, utilize credit transfer programs, and test out of credits, it may be possible to complete your degree program in as little as two years.

For many, full-time studying can be overwhelming, and part-time programs may be more manageable. However, studying for your bachelor's degree part-time can increase the time it takes to complete your degree to between four and six years.

Are All Bachelor's Degrees Four-Year Degrees?

Bachelor's degree programs are four-year degree programs, as it usually takes around four years to complete all 120 credit hours required for this degree. That being said, it is possible to speed up the time it takes to complete this degree using self-paced online programs, transfer credits, and accelerated courses.

Explore Fast-Track Online Bachelor's Degrees

Obtaining a bachelor's degree doesn't need to be a long process if you are committed to fast-tracking your degree and undertaking this intensive endeavor. There are plenty of online bachelor's degree programs featured on Learn.org that may be the right choice for you when it comes to obtaining your higher education. Explore online programs and find the right fit for your accelerated degree path.