* Your degree program: Associate's degrees typically take two years, while bachelor's degrees usually take four years. Master's degrees can take 1-3 years, and doctoral degrees can take 5-7 years or even longer.
* Your academic progress: If you take a full course load and maintain good grades, you'll likely finish your degree in the standard timeframe. However, if you take fewer courses per semester, repeat classes, or take time off, it will take longer.
* Whether you attend full-time or part-time: Full-time students generally complete their degrees faster than part-time students.
* Your chosen major: Some majors are more demanding and require more coursework than others.
* Transferring credits: If you transfer credits from another institution, you might be able to shorten your time in college.
In short, there's no minimum or maximum time requirement. You stay in college until you complete the requirements for your chosen degree.