Fastest College Degrees: Earn a Degree in Under Two Years

Looking for the quickest degree that still carries weight on a résumé? You don’t have to spend four or more years in a lecture hall. By mixing credit‑by‑exam, intensive summer sessions, and competency‑based online programs, many students are graduating in 12‑to‑18 months. Below you’ll find the fastest routes, what they require, and how to pick the right one for your career goals.

Key Takeaways

• Associate degrees can be completed in 18months with summer classes and credit‑by‑exam.
• Accelerated bachelor’s programs at select universities finish in 20‑24 months.
• Competency‑Based Education (CBE) lets you finish as soon as you demonstrate mastery, often in under a year.
• Credit for Prior Learning, CLEP, DSST, and military education benefits can shave off 30‑60 credits.
• Choosing the right fast path depends on cost, field, accreditation, and how you learn best.

What Makes a Degree “Fast”?

Speed isn’t just about fewer semesters. It’s about stacking credit, compressing instruction, and leveraging existing knowledge. The main levers are:

1. Higher credit loads per term (often 18‑21 credits).
2. Year‑round enrollment - spring, summer, and intersession classes.
3. Credit‑by‑exam options that replace traditional courses.
4. Competency‑based formats that let you move at your own pace.

When you combine two or more of these, you can slash a typical four‑year timeline dramatically.

Shortest Formal Degrees

Below are the three most common degree types that can be earned quickly, each defined with its own microdata markup.

Associate Degree is a two‑year undergraduate credential that often serves as a stepping stone to a bachelor’s or as a terminal qualification for many technical jobs. Many community colleges offer accelerated tracks that let students finish in 18 months by using summer sessions and credit‑by‑exam.

Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree is a bachelor’s program designed to compress the usual 120‑credit curriculum into 20‑24 months. Schools achieve this by offering 8‑week intensive courses, allowing students to take 18‑21 credits per term, and granting generous credit‑by‑exam policies.

Competency‑Based Degree is an online degree model where progress is measured by demonstrated mastery rather than seat‑time. Students can finish in as little as six months if they already possess the required skills, making it the ultimate fast‑track for professionals.

How to Accelerate Any Degree

Even if you enroll in a traditional program, you can still speed things up with these tactics:

• Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) lets you earn credit for work experience, certifications, or military training after an assessment.
• CLEP Exams (College Level Examination Program) award up to 30 credits per exam, covering subjects like English, History, and Business.
• Summer Sessions are intensive 6‑week courses that let you accumulate 12‑15 credits in a single summer.
• Stackable Credentials let you earn micro‑credentials or certificates that count toward a full degree, often at half the time.
• Military Education Benefits (e.g., GI Bill) include tuition coverage and credit‑by‑exam options, speeding up civilian degree completion.

Decision Matrix: Which Fast Path Fits You?

Use this matrix to match your timeline, budget, and learning style. For example, a working adult with clear career goals might favor a Competency‑Based Degree because it lets you study after work hours and finish when you’re ready.

Real‑World Speed Cases

Here are three short stories that illustrate how students cut the clock:

1. Maria, a former retail manager earned an Associate of Science in Business Administration in 17 months. She leveraged 45 CLEP credits and took back‑to‑back summer courses at her local community college. Total tuition: $9,300.
2. James, a software engineer completed a 120‑credit Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in 22 months through an accelerated online program that allowed 20‑credit semesters and accepted his prior industry certifications for 30 credit hours.
3. Lt. Sarah used her GI Bill benefits and the university’s competency‑based model to finish a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 10 months, because she already held multiple civilian certifications and passed three CLEP exams.

Quick‑Start Checklist

• Identify the degree you need for your target job.
• Research schools that offer accelerated or competency‑based tracks.
• Calculate how many credits you can claim via CPL, CLEP, or prior learning.
• Plan a year‑round schedule (fall, spring, summer, intersession).
• Confirm accreditation and transferability of earned credits.
• Apply for financial aid or benefits that specifically cover fast‑track programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bottom line: The quickest degree you can get isn’t a one‑size‑fits‑all answer. By matching your career goals, existing knowledge, and learning preferences with the right fast‑track option, you can walk across the stage in as little as a year-and save time, money, and stress along the way.