The concept of "buying" a bachelor's degree typically leads down two very different paths: the legitimate high cost of tuition at prestigious institutions or the fraudulent world of "diploma mills." While a degree can feel like a purchase, it is legally an earned credential. The Story of "The Fast Track"

If your goal is to finish faster or reduce the massive , there are legal shortcuts:

The email was simple: "Get your Bachelor’s Degree in 48 hours. No exams. No classes. Based on life experience."

: Starting at a community college to earn an Associate Degree can cut your university costs significantly. How Much Does a Bachelor's Degree Cost? - SoFi

"Arthur," she said quietly, turning her monitor around. "This school isn't accredited. It’s a diploma mill. In fact, using a fake degree to gain a promotion is a fireable offense in this state."

Arthur, tired of being overlooked for promotions at his firm, clicked the link. For a "processing fee" of $2,000, a website called Grand National University promised him a shiny diploma in Business Administration. It looked official, complete with a gold foil seal and a Latin motto that Arthur couldn't translate but deeply admired.

The director typed the name into a database for the . Nothing. Then she checked the U.S. Department of Education's database . Still nothing.

: You can "buy" college credits by passing exams for a fraction of the price of a full course through programs like the College Board’s CLEP .