High-achieving traditional and homeschooled students have a few options for getting a jump-start on their college careers, including dual enrollment and AP courses. While these learning paths both provide a more rigorous educational experience and can result in fewer courses required once at a university, their similarities end there.
Here’s what you should know about the perks of each and how they may fit into your student’s plan for success.
What are Dual Enrollment courses?
Dual enrollment or concurrent courses are college courses that high schoolers take while still enrolled in high school. They offer college credits for successful completion while still counting as credits on a high school transcript. Dual enrollment courses may be taken at community colleges, four-year colleges, or through partnerships with organizations like TEL Education.
What are AP courses?
AP courses are rigorous high school courses that cover college-level material. When completed, the student takes an AP exam that may count for future college credits at an institution that approves and accepts them.
The High School Experience
High school counselors and college consultants often direct families to look at AP courses to boost their student’s college prospects and enhance college readiness. However, these courses are very different from dual enrollment courses. In fact, it’s possible to pass an AP exam by using third-party resources or self-study tools. The exam is what matters in AP, not necessarily what it takes for the student to pass the AP course.
Dual enrollment, on the other hand, includes lesson delivery, instructor time, assignments, and exams. The entire experience is what makes it a college-level course, and students can’t just show up for an exam to get credit. They need to be present and show their commitment to the course, just like when attending college after high school.
TEL Education’s VP of Academic Support Services, Russ Pickett, explains more about the differences.
“One significant way dual enrollment courses differ from AP courses is that students are exposed to college-level coursework from day one. These are post-secondary courses taught by actual college instructors. That gives students valuable experience in trying out the college experience and understanding how rigorous it will actually be if they enroll after high school.”
AP courses don’t have this same advantage. Yes, AP courses are rigorous and can translate to college credits upon a successful test outcome. However, they are typically taught by tutors, high school instructors, or other professionals with the goal of helping students pass the AP test. It’s not a college course and can’t be described as one on the student’s resume or high school transcript.
How Dual Enrollment and AP courses transfer
Pickett explains it best. “When students successfully complete dual enrollment courses with Mid-America Christian University powered by TEL, they’re guaranteed college credit. However, in some circumstances, AP courses don’t always give you that same outcome.
AP Courses require that students pass a standardized AP exam, typically with a score of 3 or even 4 before that AP credit can be turned into college credit. That’s not the case with dual enrollment, where the student just needs to pass the course and is given credit on a college transcript right away.”
While MACU’s dual enrollment courses have easily transferred to any number of accredited colleges and universities, the same can’t be said of AP courses. A 2016 report from the Progressive Policy Institute lists several schools that don’t accept AP credits, including Dartmouth College, Brown University, and California Institute of Technology. Those that do accept AP may cap them, only allowing a few credits per student.
The reasons for not allowing AP credits vary. Dartmouth, for example, wants students to experience the full expertise of Dartmouth professors and will let some students opt out of coursework with their AP test scores. They just won’t get a headstart on credits.
What courses are offered?
AP courses are administered by the College Board, and they only offer so many courses a year. While the catalog is diverse, including topics like drawing and Latin, students can’t text for subjects outside of what the College Board offers that year.
Dual enrollment, on the other hand, is only limited by the college that offers them. If your student doesn’t see a course they want, they can look for it at another college.
With Mid-America Christian University (MACU), students can choose a dual enrollment course from over 25 courses in subjects like Public Speaking, Latin, History, Chemistry, and Philosophy. All courses are taught by college professors, so the rigor aligns with what you would expect at a four-year institution.
How courses appear on the transcript
Dual enrollment courses count for college credit right away, but homeschool parents or school administrators also put the grades on the high school transcript. This gives students a guaranteed 2-for-1 benefit for successful completion.
(Note: Dual enrollment courses may only be a semester-long at the college, but they generally count for a full year on a high school transcript. Additionally, homeschool parents may choose to credit the student with honors-level work on the transcript, which can further improve the student’s GPA.)
AP courses can count for high school credit if the student takes an approved AP-level course to prepare for the exam. These courses are generally offered by high schools and some third-party tutoring services.
However, it’s not necessary to take the course to sit for the exam, and students who don’t learn from a qualified AP instructor may not be able to add the coursework to their high school transcript. It’s possible, if they don’t do well on the exam, they get no credit for their time preparing for the exam or the exam itself.
How much does each cost?
Dual enrollment costs vary by program and school, but students get a real college experience for the price. Exams don’t cost extra, as they are included as part of the coursework.
AP courses have a set fee schedule for exams, which range from $98 to $146. This doesn’t include instruction time to prepare for the exams. Students who want a good chance at passing must take an AP course through their high school or pay for a tutor or third-party AP tutor. Khan Academy offers free AP prep on its website.
More important than each cost is the value they provide. Dual enrollment is college learning, so credits earned won’t have to be purchased down the road at very high college tuition costs. AP courses may or may not result in college credit later.
Dual enrollment vs. AP courses at a glance
| Dual Enrollment | AP Courses | |
| Experience | College rigor and environment | High school courses and environment |
| Instructors | College professors | Tutors, high school teachers, or self-taught |
| Cost | varies | varies |
| Credits offered | Transferable college credits | May be accepted instead of college credits or college credits |
| Appears on HS transcript | Yes | Can in some homeschool settings |
How can I know which is right for my student?
If you’re still unsure which option is best, consider the demands of each and how they fit into your student’s current schedule and lifestyle.
Pickett explains more: “Another unique aspect of MACU’s dual enrollment program is the flexibility that it provides. AP courses are typically taught in person, and students are typically not afforded much flexibility.
Our completely self-paced, online dual enrollment courses can fit around a student’s unique situation, whether it’s a packed sports schedule, volunteer travel, or workplace obligations.”
In summary, dual enrollment provides more reliable college credits, real-world college experience, and a broader range of courses while offering clear pathways for both academic and financial advantages.
