American colleges are rolling out 90-credit three-year bachelor's degrees in nearly 120 programmes across 26 states, cutting a year off college and potentially saving students up to $20,000

US colleges are increasingly offering three-year bachelor's degree programmes that require 90 credits instead of the traditional 120. The programmes are now available or announced in 26 states, with 119 reduced-credit programmes identified by RAND. Supporters say they can save students time and money, while critics question their impact on learning, professional licensing, graduate admissions and employer acceptance.