The answer to your question varies depending on what career path a person chooses to pursue. Some careers don't require a person to have a college degree, but instead have some kind of vocational training. Alternatively, some careers require a degree from a 2-year institution, such as an AA degree. People who go to 4-year universities typically earn a B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) if they focus more on the liberal arts, or a B.S. (Bachelor of Science) degree, where people take the majority of their classes in the sciences. The B.A. and B.S. degrees can take anywhere between 3-5 years to complete, on average.

If a person wishes to pursue even higher education after earning a B.A. or a B.S., they may apply to attend a graduate or professional school. Examples of professional schools include medical school, where a person can earn an M.D. or D.O. degree to become a doctor, whereas dentists go to dental school to earn a D.M.D. or D.D.S. degree, lawyers go to law school for a J.D., etc. Graduate school may be attended in a wide variety of fields, including the sciences, education, arts, humanities, social sciences, and engineering. People who to go graduate school typically pursue a master's (M.S.) degree, PhD, or MFA, although there are other variations of degrees that may be obtained in graduate school. Furthermore, people can attend professional schools that combine their degrees. For example, a popular choice is M.D./PhD.

There are all kinds of ways to pursue an education, and a vast array of careers that follow! Education plays an important role in society and it's great that you're already thinking about college. Whatever path you do choose to follow, I hope it is one you are passionate about. My best wishes for your future!

I'm glad you asked that question even though you don't have to worry about college for another couple years. Usually college for an undergraduate degree, meaning a bachelor's degree, is 4 years at a university (private or public). This is the degree you get after you finish high school. After that, you can study more in the subject of your interest at graduate school. The number of years you are in graduate school depends on what you are studying; it can be anywhere from about 2-6 years.

Most degrees, like a science degree, take 4 years of school. Some shorter tracks, called diplomas, only take 2 years but you don't get as much information from those programs. After you do a Bachelors degree (4 years), then if you want to do even more school, you can do a Masters (2 years or more) or a PhD (4 years or more).

The cool thing about college is that you can go for as many years as you want! It's actually really fun, so people tend to be sad when they have to leave! I've been in college for 9 years, I get paid to do it, and it's a great time.

The fact that you're thinking about college already in third grade is great :D people go to college for a range of years. Some jobs and professions don't need you to have a a college education. Some require two years. Most people who go to college go for four or five years. This includes many engineers and scientists, journalists, buisnesspeople, etc.

Doctors, lawyers, researchers, and other people who need a lot of training go to college for 8-9 years. (I will have been in college, undergraduate and doctorate, for 9 years when I graduate.) When you're in high school you will get a chance to look at different colleges and programs and pick whichever looks most exciting. You have a lot of time to think about what you like doing and what is interesting, and I'm sure you'll have a ton of options!