Dual credit courses let you earn college credit while still in high school
A dual credit course is a class you take in high school that counts toward a college degree at the same time. You sit in one classroom, do one set of assignments, and take one exam — but the grade and credits go on both your high school transcript and your college transcript. The college is the one that decides whether the course counts, so the credits transfer with you if you later attend that college or a different one.
The main reason students take dual credit courses is to finish some college requirements before graduation, which saves time and money later. You avoid paying tuition twice for the same material. You also start college with credits already on your record, which can affect financial aid, course load, and when you graduate.
Dual credit is different from Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. Those are high school exams that may earn you college credit if you score high enough — the college decides after the fact. Dual credit is a contract between your high school and a college before you even take the course, so you know the credits will count.
Key Takeaways
- Dual credit courses are taught by high school teachers or college instructors and count toward both your high school diploma and a college degree at the same time.
- You pay little or nothing for dual credit courses because your high school or a state program covers the cost, unlike college tuition you would pay later.
- Credits earned in dual credit transfer to any college that accepts them, though some colleges may not accept all dual credit from all high schools.
- Dual credit can lower your total college costs and let you graduate earlier, but it also means a heavier workload while you are still in high school.
How dual credit courses are taught and who teaches them
Dual credit courses can be taught in three ways. The most common is a high school teacher who has been approved by the college to teach the course using the college's curriculum. The teacher follows the college's syllabus and standards, and the college oversees the grading. You stay in your high school building and follow your normal schedule.
The second way is a college instructor who comes to your high school to teach the class. This is less common but happens in some districts, especially for courses that need specialized equipment or informed. You still attend high school, but the person at the front of the room is a college employee.
The third way is you attend classes at the college campus itself, usually in the evening or on a separate day during the school week. This is called concurrent enrollment or college-based dual credit. You are physically on the college campus, in a college classroom, but your high school pays your tuition and counts the credits toward your diploma.
Which colleges and high schools partner for dual credit
Dual credit partnerships vary by state and region. Some states have statewide programs where any public high school can partner with any public college. Other states leave it to individual districts and colleges to negotiate agreements. A few states have no formal dual credit system at all, though some colleges still offer it informally.
Your high school's counselor or registrar can tell you which colleges your school has partnerships with and which courses are available. If your school does not list dual credit options, ask whether they have agreements with nearby community colleges. Community colleges are the most common partners because their courses are designed to transfer to four-year universities.
Not all colleges accept dual credit from all high schools. A course taught at your high school might transfer to the college that approved it, but not to a different college. Before you enroll, ask the college directly whether the course will transfer if you later attend a different school. Some colleges have a list of high schools they accept dual credit from; others evaluate each course individually.
What dual credit costs and who pays
Dual credit courses are free or very low cost to you. Your high school or a state program pays the college tuition, which is usually between $100 and $300 per course depending on the state and the college. You may pay a small fee for materials or testing, but you do not pay the full college tuition that a regular college student would pay.
Some states fund dual credit through the high school budget. Others have dedicated state grants that colleges can draw from. A few states require students to pay a portion, usually under $50 per course. Ask your school counselor what the cost is in your district — it varies widely.
The college does not charge you tuition because the agreement is between the high school and the college, not between you and the college. Your high school is the customer. This is why dual credit is one of the cheapest ways to earn college credits before you graduate.
How dual credit affects your college applications and financial aid
Colleges see dual credit on your transcript as a sign that you can handle college-level work. It can strengthen your process, especially if you earned good grades. However, dual credit alone does not may provide admission anywhere — colleges look at your overall record, test scores, and essays too.
Dual credit can affect financial aid in two ways. First, if you enter college with credits already earned, you may graduate in three years instead of four, which reduces your total cost. Second, some colleges count dual credit credits toward your full-time status, which can affect how much aid you receive per semester. Ask the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend how they count dual credit toward your aid package.
One risk: if you take too many dual credit courses and graduate high school with a lot of credits, some colleges may not let you enroll as a full-time student your first year because you have already completed too many credits. This is rare, but it is worth asking about before you overload on dual credit.
When dual credit credits do not transfer
Dual credit credits transfer to most colleges, but not always. A course taught at your high school might not transfer to a college outside your state, or to a private college, or to a college that does not have an agreement with your high school. Before you take a dual credit course, confirm with the college you plan to attend that the credits will count.
Some colleges accept dual credit only if you earned a certain grade — often a B or higher. Others accept it regardless of grade. A few colleges do not accept dual credit at all, though this is becoming less common. If you are unsure which college you will attend, ask your high school counselor which dual credit courses have the broadest transfer agreements.
If a dual credit course does not transfer, you still have the credit on your high school transcript and you still graduate on time. You just do not get the college credit benefit. This is why it matters to check before you enroll, not after.
Dual credit versus AP and IB courses
The main difference is timing and certainty. With dual credit, the college agrees in advance that the course counts. With AP and IB, you take the exam in May, and the college decides afterward whether to give you credit based on your score. If you score a 3 out of 5 on an AP exam, many colleges will not give you credit, even though you passed the class.
Dual credit also costs less. You pay nothing or a small fee. AP exams cost around $95 each, and IB exams cost more. If you take five AP exams, that is $475 out of pocket.
The trade-off is that dual credit is more work. You have to meet college standards while still in high school, and the workload is heavier than a regular high school class. AP and IB are also rigorous, but you can take them without committing to college credit — you can take the class for the learning and skip the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take dual credit courses if my high school does not offer them?
Ask your counselor whether your school has agreements with nearby community colleges. Some students attend college classes in the evening or on Saturdays while still enrolled in high school. If your school has no partnerships at all, you may be able to take college courses on your own dime, but they would not count toward your high school diploma — only toward college.
What happens to my dual credit if I do not go to college right after high school?
Your credits stay on your college transcript. If you enroll in college five years later, the credits are still there and still count. However, some colleges have time limits on how old credits can be — usually seven to ten years — so very old credits might not transfer. Check with the college you plan to attend.
Can I retake a dual credit course if I do not like my grade?
Yes, you can retake it, but both grades will show on your college transcript. Some colleges average the grades; others use the higher one. Ask the college how they handle repeated courses before you retake one.
Does dual credit hurt my chances of getting into a selective college?
No. Selective colleges view dual credit as evidence that you can do college work. It does not replace strong grades and test scores, but it strengthens your process. Some students worry that taking college courses makes their high school transcript look less rigorous — it does not.
What if I fail a dual credit course?
The failing grade goes on both your high school and college transcript. You would need to retake the course to remove the F, and you would likely have to pay for it yourself the second time. This is why it is important to be honest about whether you can handle the workload before you enroll.