Dual Enrollment, Explained

What is dual enrollment?

Dual enrollment (also called concurrent enrollment in some states) is a program that allows high school students to take college-level courses and earn college credit before they graduate from high school. The student is simultaneously enrolled in high school and at a college or university — hence "dual."

The courses are taught at college level — either on the college's campus, at the high school, or online — and the credits earned are real college credits that may be applied toward a degree once the student enrolls as a full-time college student.

How dual enrollment works in practice

Dual enrollment programs are organized through partnerships between high schools (or school districts) and local community colleges or universities. Eligibility — minimum GPA, grade level, parent or counselor approval — is set by the participating college and may also be governed by state rules.

The specific courses available, the application process, and the cost arrangement all vary by state and by the partnership involved. Some states fund dual enrollment broadly, making it free or very low cost for eligible high school students; in others, students or families pay tuition at a reduced rate. Contact your high school counselor and the college's dual enrollment office for the program in your area.

• Eligibility requirements (grade, GPA, approval) vary by program — confirm with your high school and the participating college
• Cost arrangements differ widely: some states fund dual enrollment fully; others charge a reduced tuition; verify with your school district
• Courses may be on-campus, at your high school, or online — the format depends on the specific program
• A parent or guardian consent form is typically required for minors

Dual enrollment vs. AP courses

Dual enrollment and Advanced Placement (AP) courses are both ways for high school students to pursue college-level work, but they work differently.

AP courses are standardized courses offered by the College Board; students take a standardized AP exam at the end, and universities decide independently whether to award credit and how much, based on the exam score. Dual enrollment courses are actual college courses offered by a specific college; if the credits are accepted, they transfer as completed college credits.

Neither is universally "better" — the right choice depends on your goals, the courses available to you, and the policies of the colleges you plan to attend. Some students pursue both. Check with the admissions offices of the universities you are targeting to understand how they treat both types of credit.

Will my dual enrollment credits transfer?

Credit transferability is not guaranteed and depends on the receiving institution. Some four-year universities accept dual enrollment credits freely; others are more selective, particularly for credits in major-specific courses. Community colleges generally accept dual enrollment credits more broadly.

Before completing a dual enrollment course, confirm with your high school counselor and — ideally — the admissions or registrar office at the university you plan to attend whether those specific credits are likely to transfer and how they would count toward your intended degree program.

Benefits and considerations

Dual enrollment can give you a head start on college coursework, reduce the total time (and cost) to earn a bachelor's degree, and let you experience college-level academic expectations before you arrive as a full-time student. It can also strengthen your college application by demonstrating you can handle rigorous coursework.

However, college-level courses carry college-level grading — if a dual enrollment course results in a low grade, that grade appears on your permanent college transcript. Approach it with the same seriousness you would a college course. Talk to your high school counselor and a family member about whether the workload is right for you.