California College Students Taking Longer to Graduate Says Study

According to the new studies released Tuesday, the longer period of time it takes California State University and Community College students to graduate is having taking a financial toll on them and on the state’s economy.

The study says Cal State students are taking almost five years on average to receive their four-year bachelor’s degrees and two-year associate degrees are taking the average community college student four years to complete.

Michelle Siqueros with the Campaign for College Opportunity says there are far fewer available courses for many students.

“Clearly the budget cuts, where colleges and universities were forced to cut course offerings pretty severely are having an impact,” says Siqueros.

The studies say longer time spent studying has meant more accumulated costs for students and a loss in earning potential.

But the California Community Colleges chancellor’s office says the studies left out occupational certificate earners.

“If you have someone whose earned an associate degree and got a certificate along the way, those should be counted as a success,” says California Community Colleges spokesman Paul Feist.

But the authors of the study say the focus was only on academic degrees.