* The country where the degree was earned: Degrees from certain countries are more readily recognized than others. The United States has agreements and processes for evaluating credentials from various educational systems worldwide.
* The type of degree: A 3-year Bachelor's degree (common in some parts of Europe) is often considered equivalent to a 4-year Bachelor's degree in the US, especially for specific fields. However, this isn't automatic. A 3-year degree in a different field might not be directly equivalent.
* The institution granting the degree: The reputation and accreditation of the university or college granting the degree significantly impact recognition. A degree from a highly reputable institution is more likely to be accepted.
* The purpose of recognition: For employment, some employers may readily accept a 3-year degree while others may require a 4-year degree. For further education (e.g., graduate school), specific programs may have their own admission requirements, and a 3-year degree might require additional coursework or evaluation.
In short, a 3-year degree *might* be recognized, but it's not automatically equivalent to a 4-year US degree. An individual needs to research the specific requirements of the employer or institution they are applying to. They may need to have their credentials evaluated by a credential evaluation service to determine the US equivalent of their degree.