Key Research Studies on Dual Enrollment

“The Impact of Dual Enrollment on College Degree Attainment: Do Low-SES Students Benefit?” (American Educational Research Association, 2012).

This study followed students who began postsecondary education in 2003, using a nationally representative sample. It found that those who had taken dual-enrollment courses were 10 percent more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree than the comparison group. First-generation students were 12 percent more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree than the comparison group.

A Springboard to College

Dual-enrollment courses are growing in popularity as a way to encourage students to take the leap earlier.

“The Effects of Concurrent Enrollment on the College-Going and Remedial Education Rates of Colorado’s High School Students” (Colorado Department of Higher Education, 2014).

This study found that high-school students who took dual-credit courses were 23 percent more likely to enroll in college immediately following high-school graduation and 9 percent less likely to enroll in remedial classes.

“Dual-Credit/Dual-Enrollment Coursework and Long-Term College Success in Texas” (ACT Research and Policy, 2014).

This study found that students enrolled in one of four public universities in Texas with dual credit were 30 percent more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree within six years than those who had not earned college credit in high school.

“Dual Credit in Oregon, 2010 Follow-Up: An Analysis of Students Taking Dual Credit in High School in 2007-08" (Office of Institutional Research, Oregon University System, 2010).

This study found that students who had taken dual-credit courses were more likely to continue to postsecondary education and continue on to a second year in college.

Beth McMurtrie writes about campus culture, among other things. Follow her on Twitter @bethmcmurtrie, or email her at beth.mcmurtrie@chronicle.com.