Hi there! I'm just trying to understand the common timeline for college education in the US. Does anyone know what age most people are when they graduate college in the States?
Most traditional full-time students in the United States begin college after completing 12 years of primary and secondary schooling, usually at the age of 18. A typical undergraduate program (or bachelor's degree) takes four years to complete, meaning that many students graduate at around the age of 22.
However, it's worth noting that this is not the case for everybody. Some students may complete their degree in less than four years by taking a higher course load or attending summer sessions, while others may take longer due, for example, to part-time enrollment, internships, co-op programs, or choosing to take a gap year. Moreover, non-traditional students who return to school later in life may graduate at a significantly older age.
Also, there's an increasing number of students pursuing additional education beyond their bachelor's degrees. Graduate or professional programs, such as Medical School, Law School, or a PhD program, extend this timeline significantly.
So while 22 is the most common age, there's no "one-size-fits-all" when it comes to the timeline of college education in the US. The path is quite flexible and can be tailored to individual goals, timelines, and life circumstances.
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