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Options for Earning College Credit in High School

Concurrent Enrollment: Options for Earning College Credit in High School

Discover Your Options

Explore and compare the multiple options below to learn more about earning college credit as a high school student. There are benefits, challenges and costs to each option. Find what works for you!


Students at desks in a classroom studying while a teacher helps
  • Take a college course while in high school
  • No tuition cost, but you may be responsible for books, supplies or fees
  • Course guaranteed to transfer
Students studying together at a library with laptops and papers on the table
  • Take a college course while in high school
  • May have to pay for tuition and be responsible for books, supplies or fees
  • Courses not guaranteed to transfer
Students walking around a college campus
  • Take college courses while enrolled in a 5th year of high school
  • No tuition cost, but you may be responsible for books, supplies or fees
  • Potentially a full year of college tuition FREE

Coursework & Exam Options

Row of people at a desk taking an exam with pencils in hand
  • College-level coursework offered at participating high schools
  • End-of-year exam with qualifying score needed to earn college credit
  • Potential exam fees

State Designated Schools / Programs

Young adults working in a classroom and medical setting
  • Opportunity to earn an associate's degree, postsecondary credential or at least 60 college credits by the time you graduate high school
  • Most students complete requirements in four years
  • Not widely available