KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A report by the University of Tennessee Center for Business and Economic Research has found students who earn their bachelor's degrees within four years make higher salaries.
The study was done in cooperation with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and it found timely completion of an undergraduate degree translates into a stronger income.
THEC policy adviser David Wright told WMOT-FM in Murfreesboro the finding was a surprise.
Wright said the best guess is that students who finish in four years are better focused and self-motivated -- qualities that employers value.
The research showed students who took six or more years to complete a bachelor's degree generally earned the same amount as students who didn't complete degrees. That's up to $13,000 less per year than four-year finishers.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
