Dual-enrollment classes are on the rise, providing high school students with yet another opportunity (besides AP test and IB courses) to get a taste of college courses. So what’s all the hype about? Interestingly enough, “the number of students under 18 taking college courses has skyrocketed… [it] went from under 300,000 in 1995 to over 1 million in 2015” (Marketplace). If this impressive statistic doesn’t pique your interest, then let me add, “According to a recent Columbia University study, simply taking a dual-enrollment class makes students more likely to graduate high school, go on to college and earn more credits than peers” (Marketplace).

Personally, I took Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school, which helped me cover almost a full year’s worth of general education courses—100 to 200-level courses—in college. By taking AP tests in high school, I was able to save thousands of dollars. To give some context, AP tests cost about $90-$100 each, and a college equivalent course at my university is about $2,800. Talk about a return on investment! This, in addition to taking summer courses, helped me graduate college in 3 years. Note: your college or university sets the prerequisite for accepting AP/IB test scores, so even if you passed the test, your school may or may not accept it as credit.

Dual-enrollment courses were not offered at my high school when I was a student, though my school did have a similar program that required going off campus. Students could attend the local community college for 2 years, replacing their Junior and Senior year of high school, and earn both an Associate’s Degree and a high school diploma by the end of their four years. Had dual-enrollment courses been an option, I would have definitely considered taking them. After all, who wants to miss out on their last two years on their high school campus.

One pro of dual-enrollment is that it gives students the opportunity to experience the workload of a typical college course. Early exposure to homework, projects, and exams require high-level critical thinking skills. This provides students with the necessary competencies (and confidence) to pursue a college degree. Simply taking dual-enrollment courses could help high school students become gradually more comfortable with the workload they’d face in college.

Perhaps the clear benefits of dual-enrollment courses, in addition to the rising cost of higher education, will be the push lawmakers need to start funding these courses in more schools. As of now, “Funding for dual-enrollment classes varies by state. For example, nine states require families to pay, five state governments appropriate money and 13 states let districts and colleges work it out” (Marketplace).

Questions:

• Have you ever taken AP or IB courses/tests or dual-enrollment courses?
• What was your motivation for taking them? 
• What are the pros and cons of taking dual-enrollment courses while in high school?
• Do you think having students take dual-enrollment courses before college is beneficial or stressful? Explain your answer.

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If you liked this article, you’ll be pleased to know that NGPF’s Semester Course is being used as the core curriculum for a dual-enrollment course, which will be taught by Vermont educator Wayne Goulet. If you’d like to get on board and start using this popular curriculum, click here. Additionally, here’s a link to our #FinHero Advocacy page if you’re looking to start conversations in your district about implementing a dedicated personal finance course!

About the Author

Danielle Bautista

Danielle is a native of Southern California and a recent graduate from the University of Maine, where she braved the frigid winters—a feat in and of itself—and earned her Bachelor's degree in International Affairs. She has a passion for working with non-profit organizations and serving populations in underprivileged communities. When Danielle isn't writing NGPF blog posts, spearheading various outreach projects, or managing contests and flash surveys, you can find her doing some sort of outdoor activity, learning a new hobby, or cracking what she thinks are witty puns!