In fact, many can only afford college by alternating work and school. School can also take longer when students switch majors and need to earn more credits. Some undergraduate programs, such as in pharmacy, require five years or more. While patterns of college attendance are changing, the ideal of a relatively straight college route persists. Yet, with a nod to the newer trend, the benchmark is now six years for a bachelor's.
Experts say college is no longer four years at one alma mater.
A majority of college students attend two schools or more. But, experts say, counting students who graduate in six years doesn't tell much. It says everything about their admissions criteria. The numbers also reveal nothing about why students leave a particular school. More often, youngsters leave in good standing.