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Options for Earning College Credit in High School
Discover Your Options
Explore and compare the multiple options below to learn more about earning college credit as a high school student. There are benefits, challenges and costs to each option. Find what works for you!
- Take a college course while in high school
- No tuition cost, but you may be responsible for books, supplies or fees
- Course guaranteed to transfer
- Take a college course while in high school
- May have to pay for tuition and be responsible for books, supplies or fees
- Courses not guaranteed to transfer
- Take college courses while enrolled in a 5th year of high school
- No tuition cost, but you may be responsible for books, supplies or fees
- Potentially a full year of college tuition FREE
Coursework & Exam Options
- College-level coursework offered at participating high schools
- End-of-year exam with qualifying score needed to earn college credit
- Potential exam fees
State Designated Schools / Programs
- Opportunity to earn an associate's degree, postsecondary credential or at least 60 college credits by the time you graduate high school
- Most students complete requirements in four years
- Not widely available
Financial information on schools and districts throughout Colorado. Learn more about financial transparency.
Colorado Dept. of Education
201 East Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-866-6600
Contact CDE
CDE Hours
Mon to Fri, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
See also Licensing Hours
UPDATED
July 24, 2020
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