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Dual Enrollment vs AP: Choosing the Right Path

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Learn about the advantages of dual enrollment vs AP courses.

Every year, high school students turn to their teachers and guidance counselors for advice on preparing for college academics and saving money on college tuition. Dual enrollment programs and Advanced Placement® (AP) courses can help students achieve both of these goals. But which is better: dual enrollment or AP?

To help each student choose the right path for them, it’s important to understand the difference between AP and dual enrollment. So let’s compare how these two options work, including who teaches them, what they cost, and how students earn college credits.

Understanding Advanced Placement (AP) Courses

What are AP courses, and how do they work?

AP courses are high school courses with college-level curricula created by the College Board. They span a variety of subjects: math, science, English, history, art, and world languages. Most are general education courses required for all college students. Some are introductory courses required for a specific major. Every year-long course culminates with a nationwide standardized exam in May.

Each high school chooses which AP courses to offer its students. High school teachers with subject-area knowledge must receive training to teach AP courses and follow the curriculum approved by the College Board.

Students sign up for AP courses through their school. But they must meet their school’s eligibility requirements, which can include:

  • a minimum GPA
  • prerequisite classes
  • teacher recommendations
  • parent approval

Once a student enrolls, the AP courses become part of their regular class schedule.

AP Grading and College Credit

AP courses and AP exams are graded separately. High school teachers grade the coursework and calculate students’ final course grades, which count toward a student’s high school GPA. The College Board manages AP exams, which determine if a student receives college credit for the course. So it’s possible for AP students to pass the course and receive high school credit, but not receive college credit.

AP exams are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 (with 5 being the highest score). Each college and university has its own AP credit policy. But most require students to score a 3, 4, or 5 on the AP exam to receive credit. Some will only accept a 4 or higher for college credit. The AP Credit Policy Search tool can help students find specific colleges’ policies on AP credits.

Benefits of AP Courses

  1. Experience College-Level Coursework: AP courses allow students to experience the rigor of college-level coursework in their high school, with the support of their high school teacher. This structure can help students adjust to college academics and develop the focus and discipline needed to succeed.
  2. Boost College Applications: Many colleges and universities recognize AP courses as a signifier of academic ability and focus. Regardless of a student’s score on an AP exam, having AP courses on their transcript can make their college applications more competitive.
  3. Start College Ahead: Depending on individual college policies, AP students can earn:
    • college credit—the equivalent of passing a college course and earning a set number of credits toward their degree requirements.
    • advanced placement—recognition of a student’s competency in a specific subject, allowing them to skip an introductory course in that subject.
    • both college credit and advanced placement

Understanding Dual Enrollment Programs

What is dual enrollment, and how does it differ from AP?

Dual enrollment programs (sometimes called concurrent enrollment or dual credit) allow high school students to enroll in college courses and earn college credits. Each college or university offers different courses, so students have a wide range of options.

Dual enrollment courses differ from APs in three main ways:

  1. Dual enrollment courses are real college courses.
  2. College professors teach dual enrollment courses on a college campus, in a high school, or online.
  3. Dual-enrolled students earn guaranteed college credit when they pass the course, usually with a “C” or better.

Dual Enrollment vs AP Courses

Outlier Dual Enrollment AP® (Advanced Placement)
Type of Course College course High school course
Instructor College professer High School teacher
Location Can be on a college campus, in a high school, or online In high school
Course Length 1 semester or full school year Full school year
College Credit Earned for passing the course, transcripted by the college offering the course Dependent on AP exam score and policies of the college the student applies to

Advantages of Dual Enrollment Courses

  1. Gain Real College Experience: What better way to prepare for college than by taking a real college course from an actual college professor? Dual-enrolled students experience the academic rigor and expectations of college before they get there. This boosts their confidence and understanding of what college will entail.
  2. Earn Transferable College Credits: Since accredited colleges transcript dual enrollment courses, the acceptance rate of these credits is generally higher than AP credits. Yet credit transfer policies vary by institution. So it's crucial to research the specifics of each college under consideration.
  3. Save Time and Money on College: Dual-enrolled students start college with credits already under their belts. With fewer credits left to complete to earn their degree, students can graduate faster and save money on extra semesters of tuition. At an average of $17,709 per year of tuition, those savings add up!1

How to Transfer Dual Enrollment Credits

When a student passes a dual enrollment course, they earn credits from the college that offered the course. If the student chooses to earn their degree from that college, they do not need to transfer their credits. But if the student goes to college elsewhere, they can request a transfer.

To start a transfer, the student must get their transcript from the college where they took their dual enrollment course. Then send that to their intended college when they apply. Official records may require a transcript fee.

Choosing the Right Dual Enrollment Courses

So how do students choose which dual enrollment courses to take? First, they should consider their interests and future career goals. Then choose courses that align.

If a student wants to become an engineer, for example, a STEM dual enrollment course may help them get ahead in their desired major. If they’re not sure what they want to major in, students can explore their options in a variety of introductory college courses.

Comparing Costs and Flexibility

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to college is cost. So how do AP courses vs dual enrollment compare?

The College Board charges $98 per AP exam (except for AP Seminar and AP Research exams, which cost $146 each).2 A student with significant financial need may be eligible for a reduced fee. Students also might incur additional costs for AP test prep materials.

With tuition and textbook costs, dual enrollment programs may cost more than APs. However, many school districts and states offer programs that offset or even cover these costs. This allows students to earn college credits at a reduced cost or even for free, which could lead to significant tuition savings.

AP courses also integrate with the high school calendar. Class periods, vacation days, and location are the same as a student’s other classes. But when a school schedules AP courses may conflict with students’ other classes and commitments. Dual enrollment programs often offer greater scheduling flexibility, especially with online classes. This flexibility allows students to balance their academic workload more effectively.

How to Decide Between AP vs Dual Enrollment

So is dual enrollment better than AP? It depends on a number of factors, including a student's:

  • academic goals
  • learning style
  • future aspirations

Both programs prepare high school students for the rigor of college coursework. But a deciding factor for many students is that dual enrollment courses offer guaranteed, transferable college credit when they pass.

With online dual enrollment courses from Outlier by Savvas, students can earn college credit from the University of Pittsburgh (a top 50 global university) right in their high school classroom. And Outlier-earned credits have successfully transferred to hundreds of colleges and universities across the U.S.—from community colleges to the Ivy League.

Ultimately, the choice between AP courses vs dual credit is a personal decision for each student. With the help of their guidance counselors, teachers, and parents, students can make a well-informed decision that aligns with their goals and sets them up for future success.

References

  • 1 - Hanson, M. (2024, May 28). Average cost of college [2024]: Yearly tuition + expenses. Education Data Initiative. https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-college
  • 2 - AP exam fees. AP Central: College Board. https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/exam-administration-ordering-scores/ordering-fees/exam-fees

AP® is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, these products.