Key Takeaways
- Dual enrollment allows students to take college courses while still in high school. Credits earned can save thousands in tuition and reduce time to graduation.
- It requires strong time management and academic readiness.
- Not all institutions accept dual enrollment credits, so you should check with a college’s registrar’s office before enrolling.
Is dual enrollment worth it?
Every year, families rightfully debate this question.
Taking college courses in high school requires time and money.
And while proponents argue it eventually saves both, are their claims true?
What is Dual Enrollment?
Dual enrollment allows high school juniors and seniors to take college courses through a two-year institution or a four-year university and earn credit for the ones passed.
About 2.8 million students participated during the 2023-24 academic year — a 12.7 percent increase from 2022-23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Research indicates these programs can increase your likelihood of:
- Completing high school
- Attending college, and
- Obtaining a bachelor’s degree
Those benefits extend to later in life too — people with an undergraduate education make 62 percent more than those with just a high school diploma. They also:
- Experience lower unemployment rates
- Rely less on public support programs
- Engage more civically
- Exercise frequently and eat healthier
- And more
Online Dual Enrollment Options
You can also enroll on your own through accredited online institutions such as Portage Learning. Its self-directed format lets you complete a variety of courses on your schedule, including:
- English Composition I
- American History
- College Algebra
- General Chemistry I with Lab
- General Psychology
- Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
Students enjoy a one-to-one relationship with professors, who provide regular feedback and grade exams within 72 hours.
Pros and Cons of Dual Enrollment
Families prefer dual enrollment because it awards credit based on their child’s overall performance rather than a single test, like other options out there. Additional benefits include:
- Early exposure to college life: Dual enrollment allows you to adjust to the campus environment before leaving the comfort and support of home.
- Wide variety of classes: You can often take courses not available at your high school or through other accelerated credit programs, expanding what you learn and helping you choose a major and career path.
- Cost and time savings: A student who dually enrolls in four courses could enter college with 12 credits, shaving off a semester of undergraduate education, which also saves money. According to Complete College America, people who participate in a program, on average, finish their bachelor’s degree 1.4 years faster and save $14,500.
For all of its pros, dual enrollment can impact your high school experience. Before registering, you should also understand:
- Out-of-pocket expense: Some states and districts partially or fully fund programs, but if not, you will need to cover the cost of tuition, textbooks, and other materials. Online college courses at Portage Learning remain significantly less than the average four-year public university charges in-state residents and include everything you need.
- Credit transferability: Generally speaking, program credits transfer if you plan to attend the institution you took the class through, or if you go to a college within the same state. Students interested in earning a bachelor’s degree at a private or out-of-state university need to check if the school accepts the credits before registering.
- Perception: The quality of courses depends on the university and instructor, which admissions officers may weigh when reviewing an application.
Who Should (or Shouldn’t) Do Dual Enrollment
Motivated students with strong grades and clear college goals typically thrive in dual enrollment. They can manage the more challenging coursework and take full advantage of the opportunities offered through programs.
You should avoid it if you:
- Struggle academically
- Remain unsure of your plans after high school
- Plan to target institutions with strict transfer policies
Dual Enrollment vs. AP vs. CLEP: Which Is Better?
Other ways to receive college credit before your freshman year include:
- Advanced Placement (AP) courses
- College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Here’s how those programs compare to dual enrollment.
AP courses
AP courses expose you to college-level courses in your high school classroom.
At the end of the school year, you take an exam and must score at least a three or higher on it to earn credit, although it depends on the university.
“There’s no national mandate that says a college has to accept credit if you score a three or higher,” Dr. Jerrod Poe, Dean of Academic Initiatives and Outreach at Portage Learning, explains. “With the evolving landscape of higher education, especially with different financial crises at some schools, they can force a student to retake the course with them so they have to pay their tuition, keep their professors on staff, and keep their classrooms full.”
Students who like the structure and schedule of high school prefer this option. Other advantages include:
- Stronger applications: For many institutions, AP courses indicate ambition and college readiness.
- Academic rigor: Standardized course materials and exams provide a clear, national benchmark of mastery.
- Low cost: Students pay $99 per test.
Keep in mind not every high school offers AP courses. The ability to receive credit also depends on one exam performance, which can be stressful.
CLEP exams
CLEP exams provide an opportunity to earn college credit for what you already know. You can take one of 34 tests in five subject areas, including:
- American Government
- English Literature
- Calculus
- Chemistry
- Introductory Psychology
Students generally use them to work through general education requirements, helping to save time and money. It costs $97 plus your test center’s administration fees to take a CLEP exam.
However, institutions often put guidelines on how many can be applied toward a degree to ensure you understand a subject rather than just know how to test on it.
For example, the University of Pittsburgh's policy stipulates in part:
- You must be at least 20 years old, or two years removed from high school.
- CLEP exams must be taken before completing 90 credits.
- You may transfer a combined total of 60 credits from the tests and two-year colleges.
Is Dual Enrollment Worth It?
If the institution you want to attend accepts dual enrollment credits, it will be worthwhile if:
- You feel academically prepared for college-level coursework and are able to balance it with your high school responsibilities
- The course you take satisfies a general education requirement or a prerequisite
- You would like to graduate college earlier or lighten your future course load
A program may not be for you if the credits earned won’t transfer.
Your grade from a dual enrollment course appears on both high school and college transcripts too, impacting cumulative GPAs. That could be an issue if you anticipate struggling with the level of rigor.
How to Decide if Dual Enrollment Is Right for You
You and your parents face many decisions in the years leading up to college such as where to apply and what to study.
Also included in your considerations: how to receive credit early.
And while dual enrollment often sparks debate, the answer does not need to be complicated. For driven students moving in a clear direction, it offers a worthwhile option for achieving your academic and career goals.
(Ready to start working toward your bachelor’s degree? Enroll in an online dual enrollment course with Portage Learning. Credits earned transfer to more than 2,800 colleges and universities.)
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