Military Times EDGE

Just a little more than one-third of students going for bachelor’s degrees at four-year institutions finish in four years, federal statistics show, so some colleges have turned to a relatively unusual guarantee in hopes of catching the attention of the financially conscious while distinguishing themselves from public universities that offer lower tuition:

“Graduate in four years, or the fifth year is free!”

There are strings attached, of course. Students generally must follow certain advising and course guidelines that help prevent them from veering off the four-year track.

Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., began offering the guarantee to this year’s freshman class. Four other colleges added such promotions for the 2009-10 academic year, according to the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

The association lists an additional 10 schools that offer the guarantee — mainly small, private institutions. A handful of other schools outside the association also offer such guarantees.