Enrollment & Admissions

Dual Enrollment in High School: Pros, Risks, and Real Student Results

For many families, the idea of high-schoolers earning college credit via dual enrollment is compelling. But what does dual enrollment really mean? What are the benefits and risks, and how do real students fare now in 2025? This article provides an up-to-date, evidence-based look at the practice to help parents, students and educators make informed decisions.

What Is Dual Enrollment?

Dual enrollment (sometimes called dual credit) refers to arrangements where a high school student takes one or more college-level courses and earns credit simultaneously for high school and college. These courses may be offered at the high school, online, or at a partnering college campus.

Key features:

• Students remain enrolled in high school while taking college credit courses.

• Credits may count toward both the high-school diploma and post-secondary degree.

• Course costs are often subsidized or lower than standard college tuition.

• Participation varies widely across states, districts and schools.

Why It Matters Right Now (2025 Update)

The reach of dual enrollment has grown significantly. A recent study reported that students who took dual-enrollment courses were more likely to apply to, and be admitted into, selective colleges, with especially strong gains for Black students. Further, longitudinal research shows that students who participate may earn more six

Introduction

Transferring from a community college to a four-year university is a smart, cost-effective strategy—but only if you safeguard your credits and plan carefully. In 2025, rising tuition costs and competitive admissions make it more important than ever to approach this transition with strategy and foresight. This article outlines how to transfer from community college to a four-year university without losing credits, offering actionable steps for students, parents and educators alike.

Why the Credit-Loss Risk Matters

Many students underestimate how many credits may not count toward their bachelor’s degree at a receiving institution. A recent guide from St. John’s University noted that transfer students can lose up to 43 % of their credits on average if they don’t check how those credits will apply to the target major. St. John's University

Credit loss has real consequences: delays in graduation, higher cost, lost momentum and even dropping out. To transfer from community college to a four-year university successfully, you need to minimise credit loss—and maximise course planning.

Step 1: Choose Your Target Early and Know the Requirements

One of the best ways to avoid credit losses is to identify your target four-year university and intended major as early as possible. According to recent guidance, students who do this in their first year of community college significantly improve their chances of a smooth transfer.

What you should do:

• Research

Seamless Transitions: Mastering the Community College to University Transfer Process (2025 Update)

For many students, the transition from community college to a four-year university is a critical turning point. In 2025, that pathway remains both full of opportunity and fraught with hurdles. This updated guide retains the original structure but integrates the latest data, policy shifts, and real-world insight to help students, parents, and educators navigate the community college → university transfer process more effectively.

1. Why Transfer Matters More Than Ever

In recent years, transfer activity has rebounded — and visibility into the process has improved. In fall 2024, nearly 1.2 million students transferred or entered a new institution, constituting about 13 percent of non-freshman undergraduates. Transfer enrollment grew by about 4.4 percent year over year. Clearinghouse Research Center+2The EDU Ledger+2

Institutions and policymakers are noticing. Many states are adopting structured transfer pathways and stronger articulation agreements to reduce barriers. Still, the obstacles students face—credit loss, misalignment of curricula, and administrative opacity—persist.

2. The Reality: Transfer Rates, Credit Loss, and Completion Gaps Low Transfer Completion Rates

Only about one-third of community college students ever transfer to a four-year institution. Of those who do transfer, fewer than half complete a bachelor’s degree within six years of starting at the two-year school.

These numbers are worse for historically underrepresented groups: low-income, Black, Hispanic, and older students all face even lower

Seamless Transitions: Mastering the Community College to University Transfer Process (2025 Update)

Transferring from a community college to a university remains one of the most cost-effective routes toward a bachelor’s degree. But in 2025, the path is as complex as ever—new policies, tuition trends, and evolving transfer practices mean it’s vital that students, parents, and educators understand what has changed, what works, and how to plan ahead.

1. The Current Transfer Landscape

Community college continues to be a popular and affordable gateway to a bachelor’s degree. The average published tuition and fees for public two-year colleges in 2024–25 is $4,050, compared to $11,610 for in-state tuition at public four-year universities and $43,350 at private nonprofit four-year institutions according to the College Board’s Trends in College Pricing report.

Enrollment trends show a rebound: community colleges experienced a 5.8% year-over-year increase in transfer enrollments in fall 2024, the largest gain since the pandemic downturn. Yet challenges remain. Data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows that only about 31.6% of students who began at a community college in 2015 successfully transferred within six years—a statistic that underscores both progress and persistent barriers.

2. Common Hurdles Facing Transfer Students

Despite its advantages, the transfer pathway has pitfalls:

• Credit loss: On average, students lose about 13 credits during transfer—nearly a semester’s worth of coursework. This not only delays graduation but increases overall cost.

• Inconsistent policies: Transfer rules vary by state, university, and major,

Community College vs. Dual Enrollment: What Parents Should Know (2025 Edition)

Introduction

As education pathways evolve, many parents ask: Should my child take classes at a community college or pursue dual enrollment while in high school? Both options can save families money, accelerate college progress, and boost academic confidence. But in 2025, there are important differences—ranging from tuition policies to credit transfer guarantees—that parents need to understand.

This guide compares community college vs. dual enrollment, outlining the pros, cons, and real-world considerations so families can make informed choices.

1. Defining the Two Pathways

Community College

Community colleges are two-year institutions that offer associate degrees, certificates, applied bachelor’s programs, and transfer pathways to four-year universities. Students typically enroll after completing high school, though some begin earlier.

Dual Enrollment

Dual enrollment allows high school students to take college-level courses—usually through partnerships between their high school and a local community college or university. Students earn both high school and college credit simultaneously.

2. Why Parents Are Considering These Options in 2025

Rising college costs make alternative pathways more attractive. According to the U.S. Department of Education, average in-state tuition at public universities now exceeds $11,000 per year, while private universities average more than $41,000. By contrast, community college tuition remains around $5,100 annually, and dual enrollment is often subsidized by states or districts, making it nearly free for many families.

For students in private or boarding schools, these options can complement advanced coursework and broaden academic experiences. Our