Over the past few years, the average time bachelor's degree candidates take to finish their studies has increased. As a result, many campus-based and online schools are upping their efforts to ensure that enrollees are able to earn a degree quickly.

For instance, a Pennsylvania-based school has made changes to its bachelor's-level core curriculum in an attempt to help students finish their coursework within four years, The Times Leader reports.

In addition to enabling degree seekers to complete the curriculum quickly, similar initiatives could allow ambitious learners to pick up a minor or second major. As a result, they will be more marketable in the difficult job market, and increase their career prospects in more than one career field.

Some campus-based and online colleges are also keeping better track of their students' progress so that enrollees will know where they stand on their academic timetable. Consequently, they will be able to increase their learning efforts as soon as they realize that they are falling behind in their schoolwork.

These initiatives could pay off in the long term, as MSN reports that bachelor's degree holders can earn more than $300,000 more than workers without this certification over the course of their careers.