Got 15? - Formula to Finish encourages students to complete their degree on time. The benefits of successfully completing at least 15 hours per semester saves time, money, and increases post graduation options (graduate school & earning potential).
Graduate in 4 Years
"Want to graduate in 4 years? Pass 15 credit hours a semester."
— Luis Peña Ochoa, Provost Leadership Academy mentor, Psychology major
Students who take at least 15 credits each semester:
Are more likely to complete college on time and earn better grades than their peers who take fewer credits. Finish college faster and can start on a career that provides financial independence and increased lifetime earnings.
Students who successfully complete at least 15 credit hours each semester finish their college degree on time. Literature from Complete College America (CCA) says time not money is the biggest obstacle for students completing college. The longer it takes a student to complete their degree, the less likely it is they will graduate.Time is the Enemy*
Research has shown that most full-time students take less than 15 credit hours and don’t finish on time, adding the costs of extra semesters. This cost is expensive for the student and parents/guardians. An additional 3 credit hours may not seem significant, but Kent State University’s in-state students that take 15 hours a semester or 30 hours a year, as opposed to just 12 credit hours, will save the following:
Based on 2016-17 cost of attendance, the average four-year degree at Kent State University is $81,648, while a six-year degree totals $122,472. That is a savings of $40,824.
Full-time students who successfully complete 15 credit hours each semester, perform better than full-time students who take less than 15 credit hours each semester**.
|FR Cohort Term||12-14 Credit Hours||15+ Credit Hours|
** According to Kent State University's Research, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness data
Get a Head Start
The sooner a student graduates, the sooner they can enter the professional world and begin life beyond the classroom. After completing a bachelor's degree, students are able to reap the benefits of their college education by starting graduate school or paying off their student debt.