"Will I Graduate On Time?" Calculator
University degree audits can be confusing. Enter your current credits to instantly see exactly what semester and year you are on track to graduate.
The "15 to Finish" Rule
Many college freshmen fall into a trap: their advisor tells them that 12 credits makes them a "full-time student," so they only register for 4 classes (12 credits) to keep their workload light.
While 12 credits is full-time for financial aid, it is not enough to graduate on time. If you take 12 credits for 8 semesters, you will only have 96 credits. You will be a full year (24 credits) short of graduation.
To graduate in 4 years, you must average 15 credits per semester. If you decide to take a lighter 12-credit load, you must plan to make up those missing 3 credits during a Summer or Winter term.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many credits do I need to graduate college?
In the United States, a standard Bachelor's degree requires 120 credit hours. An Associate's degree typically requires 60 credit hours. Some specific Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or engineering programs may require 128 to 135 credits.
How many credits should I take a semester to graduate in 4 years?
To graduate in 4 years (8 semesters) with a 120-credit requirement, you must take exactly 15 credits per semester (120 / 8 = 15). If you take 12 credits per semester, it will take you 5 full years to graduate.
Is 12 credits enough to be a full-time student?
Yes, 12 credits is the absolute minimum required by the federal government to be considered a 'full-time' student for financial aid and scholarship purposes. However, taking only 12 credits a semester means you will not graduate in 4 years unless you take summer classes.
What is a credit overload?
A credit overload is when you take more than 18 credits in a single semester. Because this is an extremely heavy workload, most universities require you to get special permission from a dean or academic advisor before you can register for more than 18 credits.