Defined: Bachelor's degree duration?

Can someone confirm for me—how many years does it usually take to get a bachelor's degree? I'm assuming it changes depending on the course and college, right?

Typically, a bachelor's degree is designed to be completed in four years. This is the timeline for many full-time students who follow a typical course load each semester.

However, this duration can fluctuate depending on several factors. For example, a student may finish in less than four years if they take a heavier course load, take advantage of summer sessions, or have transferable college credit from Advanced Placement (AP) classes or dual enrollment courses taken in high school.

Conversely, a student may take longer than four years to complete their degree if they're attending school part-time, switch their major (and need to meet new requirements), take a lighter course load each year, or need to take a break from their studies for personal or financial reasons.

Some specific degrees, particularly double majors or some engineering programs, may also be structured to take a bit longer, often five years, due to the heavy coursework involved.

So yes, you're correct that the duration does indeed vary depending on the student's pace of study and the specifics of the program and the institution. It's always best for students to map out a plan with their academic advisor to ensure they're on track to graduate within their desired timeline.