Dual enrollment—through which high school students take college courses for credit—has become a major and rapidly growing part of American education. Nationally, dual enrollment students now account for one in five community college enrollments, with substantially higher shares in some states and colleges. A growing body of research demonstrates that students who participate in dual enrollment are more likely to enroll in college, persist, complete credentials, and experience stronger labor market outcomes. The benefits of dual enrollment can be especially large for students from groups historically underrepresented in higher education. However, access to high-quality dual enrollment opportunities remains uneven.
This brief provides an overview of dual enrollment—including its associated benefits and challenges—and introduces a framework for rethinking dual enrollment as not only a way to earn early college credit, but as a pathway to college and career opportunities. It also provides recommendations to help college leaders and policymakers craft dual enrollment programs that maximize returns for students, employers, and taxpayers.