The rising cost of college is a growing concern for many prospective students, especially for those who want to minimize student debt. According to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of a four-year bachelor's degree program now ranges between $108,000 and $234,000.
And while it's true that degree completion could yield you a significant return on your investment over the years, you still don't want to pay more than you need to for a quality education.
Enter Indiana Wesleyan University's fast track bachelor’s degree. Known as Fast Forward, these accelerated degree programs empower you to graduate faster and cut down on your college tuition costs in the process.
How could graduating faster cut down on college cost? Let's explore the key factors that affect how much you pay for a college degree:
When it comes to tuition, most schools follow the same basic model. Each program requires students to complete a certain number of credit hours, and each credit hour comes with a fixed price. Because of this, degree programs with larger credit-hour requirements (like a traditional 120-credit hour bachelor's degree) tend to cost more than accelerated degree programs that require just 90 credit hours to complete.
When calculating bachelor’s degree cost, it's important to look not just at credit hours and tuition, but the amount of time you'll spend in the program as well. That's because, in addition to the cost of tuition, many schools also charge fees for enrollment, technology, and other services each semester. This means that the longer you spend in school, the more these costs can add up.
By completing an accelerated online college degree program sooner, you may be able to avoid these added costs and maximize college affordability.
To better understand how earning your accelerated bachelor’s degree online with IWU could save you money, it may be helpful to look at a specific example. In this case, we'll look specifically at IWU's Fast Forward undergraduate program in Online Middle School Science Education.
As of May 1, 2026, the cost of tuition for this program is $405 per credit hour. With a 90-credit requirement for graduation, this adds up to $36,450 in tuition costs for the entirety of the program.
If you were to enroll in a 120-credit-hour program with the same cost per credit hour, you would end up paying $54,000 in tuition alone. That's $17,550 more — and that's just in tuition expenses.
You can get a more personalized estimate of what you'll actually pay for a degree at IWU by checking out our Net Price Calculator.
In addition to saving money on tuition by earning an affordable online degree in three years, a faster completion time could also reduce indirect opportunity costs.
Specifically, opportunity costs refer to the potential income, career advancement, and time that you may miss out on in your professional life while you're attending school. By completing your degree sooner rather than later, you may be able to offset these costs and come out ahead.
For working adults especially, the difference between spending three years versus four years in school can be huge. Aside from the higher opportunity cost of college programs that take four (or more) years to complete, working professionals may pay more out-of-pocket for their tuition and related fees in a traditional, 120-credit program. By graduating even a year sooner and with lower tuition costs, professionals can start leveraging their degrees to explore advancement opportunities.
When comparing high education cost structures, there are some other ways in which faster completion could save you money aside from tuition costs alone.
With each term or semester in which students are enrolled, many colleges charge registration fees, tech fees, and other expenses that can add up quickly. By completing your degree in fewer terms with an accelerated program, you can cut down on these costs while graduating sooner.
Likewise, earning your degree in three years could give you a competitive edge over others going into your field through a traditional, four-year degree program. Finishing your program earlier puts you a step ahead, which means entering the workforce or making your next big career move sooner.
Online degree programs can be a great way for busy students to juggle school, work, family obligations, and other responsibilities with more flexibility. Still, these programs require a fair amount of self-discipline, motivation, and time management to complete. A Fast Forward degree delivers the flexibility of online college on a streamlined timeline, so you can get back to the parts of your life that matter most.
One of the concerns some students may have about an accelerated online degree program is that taking fewer credit hours will somehow mean a less valuable academic experience. At IWU, this couldn't be further from the truth.
IWU's Fast Forward programs aren't just about cutting down on credit hours to help you finish faster — they're about intentional curriculum planning that makes for a more efficient academic experience without cutting corners. Through careful program design that reflects the needs of your field, you can enjoy the rigor of a traditional program with fewer credit hours.
Taking 120 credits toward your chosen field doesn't necessarily mean much if those credit hours aren't highly relevant to your future career. In IWU's Fast Forward programs, all coursework is carefully chosen to ensure it is as relevant as possible to the real challenges and opportunities you'll face in your future work. In this sense, it's not so much about credit volume as it is about career relevance.
In addition to offering a lower online degree cost than many 120-credit programs, IWU's Fast Forward programs take things a step further by connecting that affordable price tag to real workforce readiness. Through applied learning experiences, stackable credentials, and even virtual internship opportunities, students in our programs aren't just saving on their higher education cost — they're preparing with the practical skills they need to compete and thrive in the modern job market.
Is a 90-credit bachelor's degree program the right choice for you? Students who tend to be the best fit for this type of program include:
Before you decide on a three-year bachelor's degree program, take the time to do your own calculations based on your program of interest and figure out how much you could save with an accelerated route. You'll also want to consider:
As you compare 90-credit programs to more traditional 120-credit options, there are a few last things to keep in mind that may help you make the right choice for your needs.
First, make sure you're not just comparing total price based on credit hours alone. Instead, look at the "big picture" that may also factor in opportunity costs and additional fees associated with a longer degree completion time.
Remember, too, that being in school may put some of your career goals on a temporary back burner. By completing your degree a full year sooner, this means you may be able to pursue your long-term professional goals (like that career pivot or promotion) with less delay.
Finally, as you decide on the educational pathway that's right for you, be sure to look at both the affordability of a program and how well it will fit your own unique learning style, lifestyle, and career goals. A more comprehensive assessment may help you make a confident choice.
With streamlined curricula and career-ready coursework, IWU's Fast Forward degree programs offer a practical way for students to earn an accelerated bachelor’s degree while maximizing college savings in the process. And with programs in fields ranging from Applied AI Analytics to Middle School Science Education, you can find the pathway that suits your career goals.
Learn more about IWU's three-year online bachelor’s degree offerings by getting in touch today, or take the next step by completing an application for admission. You can also explore the other programs offered both on-campus and online to find the one that's right for you!
Because schools typically charge tuition by the credit hour, a program with fewer credits (90) will generally cost less in tuition than a program with more credits (120). Meanwhile, a shorter path could also reduce the number of terms, fees, and other expenses related to being enrolled for a longer period.
A 90-credit degree program can save students valuable time by allowing them to complete fewer total credits while still graduating with a bachelor's degree sooner than they would with a traditional 120-credit program. From there, they may be able to enter the workforce earlier or even advance more quickly in a current role.
Not automatically, which is why it's so important for students to take a detailed look at the full cost structure that factors in pacing, financial aid, and even personal circumstances (like opportunity costs). In general, however, fewer credits and a faster possible completion can create a more affordable pathway for many students.
In the context of a degree program, "opportunity costs" refer to the time, income, and potential for career progress that a student may miss out on while they're in school. By graduating sooner through a Fast Forward program, students may be able to reduce or offset some of those indirect costs.
Not necessarily, as the quality of any degree program depends not on the number of credits, but on overall curriculum design, learning outcomes, and career preparation. In many ways, a thoughtfully designed 90-credit program can still be just as rigorous and employer-relevant as a traditional 120-credit option.
Typically, a 90-credit or three-year bachelor’s degree program is best for students who are seeking a more focused, career-oriented path in their higher education. An accelerated or Fast Forward degree may also be a great option for students who value speed, affordability, and flexibility in their learning — including working adults and goal-driven learners.
