Dual enrollment, explained

How it works

You take a college course, on a college campus, online or at your high school, and the college gives you a grade on a college transcript. It usually counts toward your high school diploma as well.

Whether the credit transfers depends on the college you end up at. Many former dual enrollment students transfer a good amount of credit, but highly selective schools may treat it differently. MIT, for example, still treats you as a first-year applicant even if you finished an associate's degree in high school, and decides on credit after you enroll.

Dual enrollment vs AP

Neither is "better" for admissions. Colleges care that you took challenging courses available to you and did well in them. See AP classes.

How colleges see it

Many colleges treat dual enrollment like an advanced course when they recalculate your GPA. The University of Florida adds 1.0 to core dual enrollment courses, the same as AP and IB, and the University of California gives UC-transferable college courses an honors point.

What it costs

It varies by state and program, and it's often discounted or free. In Texas, for example, the FAST program makes dual enrollment free for educationally disadvantaged students and caps what colleges can charge other dual enrollment students at $60.10 per credit hour in 2026-27. Ask your counselor what your state offers.

Things to watch out for

• Your grades are permanent. A low grade stays on a college transcript that future colleges will see.
• It can affect financial aid later. Credits you attempt can count toward federal aid limits and progress rules in college.
• Credit isn't guaranteed to transfer. Check with the colleges you're interested in, especially out-of-state and private ones.