A new study finds students are taking more than four years to complete their undergraduate degrees. TV2’s Lauren Blue has the story.
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Kent State’s graduation is December 13th, but students nationwide are taking more than four years to complete their bachelor’s degree. A new report from the nonprofit group Complete College America estimates that nationwide only 36% of full time students at major US public universities are graduating in four years. In Ohio it is only slightly higher at 38%. For students this extra time is costly and student loan debt is at an all time high for the class of 2014. The report calls for universities to do more to help students graduate on time and finish their degrees.

Kent State implemented the graduation planning system in 2010 to help students see what is required to graduate on time and the university is encouraging students to take 15 credit hours a semester to increase their four year graduation rates.

“I think the plan scared some students who had taken fourteen hours, but we would have them take sixteen hours to catch up,” Said Amanda Leu,an academic advisor for the college of communication and information at Kent State.

Students who change their major or take time off from school may still find it difficult to graduate in four years. Some required classes at Kent are only available during the fall or spring semester.

However, many students are willing to take extra time to get their degree.

“If I had any expectations they were to graduate late…I took some time off and started at Kent late,” Said Josh Boord, a philosophy major at Kent.

For most students a degree is still worth their time and money.