Test prep & study skillsAges 15–185 min read
By Amelia ·
AP Classes vs Dual Enrollment: Which Is Right for Your Teen?
Compare AP and dual enrollment on workload, cost, college credit and fit, with questions to ask your teen's school counsellor.
Both AP classes and dual enrollment let a high school student take on college-level work, and both can lead to college credit. They work in different ways, though, and the better choice depends on your teen, your school and the colleges on their list.
AP is a high school course that ends in a national exam. Dual enrollment is an actual college course taken while in high school. Neither guarantees credit, because each college sets its own policy, so check before you choose.
How each one works
AP (Advanced Placement)
AP courses are taught at high school by high school teachers, following a syllabus set by the College Board. Each course ends with an exam in May, scored from 1 to 5. Colleges decide which scores they accept for credit or for placement into a higher-level course.
Dual enrollment
In dual enrollment, a student takes a college course, usually through a community college or local university, and earns both high school and college credit. The class may be on the college campus, at the high school or online. The grade goes on a college transcript.
Side by side
| Question | AP | Dual enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Who teaches it? | A high school teacher | A college instructor, or a high school teacher approved by the college |
| How is credit earned? | By the score on one exam in May | By the final grade in the course |
| Where does credit count? | Widely recognised, but each college sets its own score rules | Often transfers within the same state system; varies elsewhere |
| What does it cost? | An exam fee per subject; fee reductions exist for eligible students | Varies by state and district, from free to regular tuition |
| What is the pace like? | A full school year in most cases | Often one semester, at college speed |
A live class on this1-on-1 AP Chemistry TutoringAges 15–18When AP may fit better
- Your teen may apply to colleges out of state or to selective colleges, where AP scores are widely understood.
- They do well on big exams.
- Your school offers a good range of AP courses with experienced teachers.
- They would like to stay on the high school campus and timetable.
When dual enrollment may fit better
- Your teen plans to attend a public college in your state, where transfer agreements are often clear.
- They prefer being graded across a whole course to sitting one high-stakes exam.
- They want a subject the high school does not offer.
- They are ready for the independence of a college class.
A dual enrollment grade becomes part of a permanent college record. A poor grade can follow a student into later applications, so check withdrawal deadlines before the course starts.
Questions to ask the school counsellor
- Which AP and dual enrollment courses can students here take, and in which grades?
- How are each weighted in the school's GPA?
- Who pays for dual enrollment tuition, books and transport?
- Which local colleges have transfer agreements for these courses?
- How have past students done in each option?
Check each college's policy
This is the step families skip most often. Look up the credit policy on each college's own website for both AP scores and transfer credit. Some give credit, some give placement only, and some limit how many credits a new student can bring in.
Many students take a mix: AP in their strongest exam subjects and one or two dual enrollment courses in areas the school does not cover.
Start with one college-level course and see how your teen manages the workload before adding more. A strong grade in one beats average grades in three.
If your teen will sit AP exams, our guide on making a study plan for a big test can help them prepare.
Frequently asked questions
Which looks better to colleges?
Colleges generally want to see that a student took demanding courses available to them and did well. Either route can show that. What is offered at your school matters.
Can my teen do both?
Yes, if the school allows it and the workload is manageable. Many students combine them.
Does AP or dual enrollment guarantee college credit?
No. Each college decides what it accepts. Always check the policy at the specific colleges your teen is considering.
Can homeschooled students take these?
Often, yes. Many community colleges accept homeschooled students for dual enrollment, and AP exams can be arranged through a participating school. Rules vary, so ask early.
Get ready for college-level work
Live test prep classes help teens build the content knowledge and exam habits that AP and admissions tests ask for.
