Dual Enrollment 101: What It Is, Who It Helps & Why It Matters

[MarisaBluestone]

What if students could get a jumpstart on college while still in high school?  That’s the opportunity dual enrollment offers. And while it’s not a new idea, it’s becoming a bigger part of the conversation about college access, affordability and student success. 

Dual enrollment allows high school students to take college-level courses, often earning both high school and college credit, through partnerships between their school and a local college or university. The courses will often mirror the core classes students would take during their first year of college, like English composition, U.S. history, psychology, and biology. The courses are taken at a local college, online or right in the high school classroom.

According to the Community College Resource Center, around 2.5 million high school students take dual enrollment courses each year. And demand is growing as more students look for ways to lower the cost of college, explore career paths or simply get ahead.

Dual enrollment programs are offered in all 50 states and available on 90% of high school campuses, though the structure and requirements can vary significantly from one program to another. In states like Florida and Georgia, the programs are state-funded and widely accessible, meaning students can often participate at no cost. In other states, families may face tuition or materials fees, and students’ access to the programs may depend on local partnerships between colleges and school districts. And while students do earn college credit, not all institutions accept those credits equally.

“When designed to reflect the rigor and expectations of true college coursework and classroom environment, dual enrollment offers far more than academic credit, it provides students with an early, meaningful introduction to college life. This early exposure, delivered in a supportive, lower-stakes setting, has the potential to help students develop the confidence, discipline, and academic habits essential for a successful transition into higher education,” said Hilary Duplantis, Learning Research Specialist at Macmillan Learning.

Why It Matters

For many students, dual enrollment isn’t just a way to earn college credits faster. It’s also a way to shift what they believe is realistic or even possible for them, opening doors for students who might not otherwise see college as part of their future. 

Take a high school junior who’s the first in her family to even consider college. Or imagine a student from a low-income household, where every dollar counts. There’s also the student who’s breezing through their high school classes, itching for something more challenging. And then there are students in rural communities or students in under-resourced schools. 

These aren’t hypothetical, they represent real stories happening in classrooms across the country. An Institute of Education Sciences (IES) review in 2017 found that dual enrollment programs have positive effects on college degree attainment, access and enrollment, credit accumulation, high school completion, and general academic achievement in high school.

“Post-COVID studies show these benefits persist. Dual enrollment students continue to enroll in college at higher rates and are more likely to persist through their first year and complete their degrees. These outcomes are especially significant for first-generation, low-income, and minority students, for whom dual enrollment can be a transformative stepping stone,” said Hilary. 

Specifically, the CCRC found that 81% percent of dual enrollment students went to college just after high school, compared with about 70% of students overall.

When students see themselves succeeding in college-level work, they start to believe they belong in college. That sense of belonging and early success can shape how they approach the rest of their educational journey.  In a time when students are questioning the value of college, dual enrollment offers one way to change the narrative.

It can also change the math. Taking just a few college courses in high school can significantly cut the time (and money) it takes to earn a degree. For students balancing work, family and school, that flexibility can make all the difference.

“Ultimately, the success of dual enrollment depends on structured support, clear academic pathways, and equitable access. Addressing these challenges while maximizing the benefits can help ensure that all students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, can fully reap the benefits of dual enrollment,” Hilary added.