Two universities hope new 3 year degree will spur enrollment

    In an effort to make college more affordable, two Pennsylvania universities are launching a new 3-year degree program.
    Holy Family University and Arcadia University will offer this option for the first time this Fall. The fast-track diploma requires a student to attend summer courses to graduate on time. But by finishing in three years rather than four, the schools say, families can save more than $30,000.

    By Meggan Kole
    In an effort to make college more affordable, two Pennsylvania universities are launching a new 3-year degree program.

    Holy Family University and Arcadia University will offer this option for the first time this Fall.  The fast-track diploma requires a student to attend summer courses to graduate on time. But by finishing in three years rather than four, the schools say, families can save more than $30,000.

    Jan Duggar is the dean of the business school at Holy Family. He says enrollment has been down and hopes the 3 year degree will attract new students.

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    Duggar: It’s really to recognize the fact that higher education getting more and more expensive. And it’s a way of reducing that cost without sacrificing quality.

    On average over 70-percent of Pennsylvania students graduate with loan debt, about 10-percent above national average.

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