Tuition costs rise over time, so taking longer to start or finish college means paying more money for the same education. Historically, tuition prices have increased 1.2 to 2.1 times faster than inflation, resulting in an average of about twice the increase from 1958 to 2001. This average increase is about 8 percent per year, meaning that the total tuition cost doubles every nine years. By finishing as early as possible, students spare themselves and their benefactors the expense of increased tuition costs.
Many states have adopted programs which allow high school students to take college courses with no out-of-pocket expense. These programs divert state aid to local school districts, applying it instead toward the cost of tuition at a nearby university. The students who take advantage of these post-secondary enrollment options earn high school and college credit, allowing them to graduate from high school with a head-start on other college freshmen, and they can go on to earn undergraduate degrees at a much earlier age and lower total cost than many of their counterparts.
An earlier start implies an earlier graduation, and finishing school at a younger age gives you a head-start on your career. For the individual, this means more time to earn a return on their initial investment as they will begin earning wages sooner. Similar advantages exist for the state as the increased earnings and longer working life of graduates can yield increased future tax revenues.
In the past, four years was considered the standard time it took to earn an undergraduate degree, but fifth and sixth year seniors have gradually become commonplace and unremarkable. Regardless of the reason, a student whose undergraduate career spans more than four years may still be subject to some social stigma, and others may question their background or ambition. Graduating by the traditional age helps avoid these concerns, and graduating early may further impress future educators and employers who recognize early college enrollment as a sign of drive, talent and focus.