Let's assume a standard 60 credit hour degree. To complete 60 credit hours in 4 semesters, the student would need to take 60 hours / 4 semesters = $\boxed{15}$ credit hours per semester. If the degree were 70 credit hours, it would be 70/4 = 17.5 credit hours per semester, which is not possible, so some semesters would need to be slightly higher or lower than average.