Duration and difficulty of engineering degree programs

[Clausius2]

I'm interested about U.S. studies of engineering. I'm from Spain, here we start our engineering studies at eighteen years old. Our studies last five courses of one year each one. It has about 400 credits (4000 hours). I'm studying the fourth course of Industrial Engineering.
What do you think? Is it too long? How long are this kind of careers in your country?. Do you finish your studies at 23 years old?.
It is said that spanish engineers are too brave in order to bear the five courses that are almost a hell!.

 

[russ_watters]

In the US we go to college at about age 18 and study for 4 years. For engineers anyway, graduate degrees are common, requiring an additional two (sometimes taken much later).

5 years is a long time, but is not unwarranted.