A bachelor’s degree in four years is one of the most basic promises colleges make, and one of the biggest frustrations their customers face.

Fewer than half of students will actually graduate in four years. And the numbers are even worse for Black and Hispanic students.

Consider this surprising number: at more than 100 US colleges and universities, not a single student graduated within four years.

In this episode, Kirk and Jon talk about what colleges don’t want you to know around graduation rates, and dig up the behind-the-scenes maneuver by a famous senator that has helped colleges keep the problem hidden.

They also look at the ways colleges slow students down, by piling on extra requirements for graduation, failing to offer enough sections of required courses, or offering lackluster student advising.

But there is hope for savvy college consumers. A few colleges have created three year bachelors’ degree programs to help students save time and money.

 “College Uncovered” is made possible by Lumina Foundation.

----------

Credits:

Hosts: Kirk Carapezza & Jon Marcus

Supervising Editor: Megan Woolhouse

Editor: Jeff Keating

Executive Producer: Ellen London 

Mixing and Sound Design: David Goodman & Gary Mott

Theme Song and original music: Left-Roman

Artwork: Matt Welch 

Project Manager: Meiqian He

Consulting Producer and Head of GBH Podcasts: Devin Maverick Robins

"College Uncovered" is a production of GBH News and The Hechinger Report.