* Less than four years: Highly motivated students, with good planning and perhaps some advanced placement credit, might graduate in three years or less.
* Four years: This is the ideal timeframe for many programs, but often requires full-time enrollment and a consistent pace of study.
* More than four years: This is far more common than graduating early. Many students take longer than four years due to factors such as:
* Part-time study: Working while studying significantly extends the time needed.
* Changing majors: Switching academic paths often adds extra semesters.
* Academic challenges: Difficulty in certain courses may necessitate repeating them.
* Personal circumstances: Life events like illness, family responsibilities, or financial difficulties can interrupt studies.
Therefore, there's no single answer to the question. A more accurate statement would be that a bachelor's degree typically takes between three and seven years, with four years being the *average* but not the *norm*.