Earn College Credit in High School
Jump-start your college career. Want to save money and graduate faster? You can earn college credit before you even set foot on campus.
Examination Credit Opportunities
Earn credit by exam. Many high schools offer college-level courses that prepare you for Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exams that can earn you credit at a UW university. Learn more about these types of courses and use our search tool to see how these courses will transfer to the Universities of Wisconsin.
Dual Enrollment Credit Opportunities
Take college classes while still in high school. High schools across Wisconsin and beyond offer students the chance to earn college credit through real college courses—either in your high school or on a UW university. Talk to your high school counselor to explore your options.
Three Options to Enroll In a UW Course While In High School:
Take UW courses through ECCP.
The Early College Credit Program (ECCP) allows eligible Wisconsin public, charter, and private high school students to earn up to 18 college credits at a UW university or another approved Wisconsin institution. If a course counts toward high school graduation, it is free—costs are covered by the state and your school district.
Take UW-approved courses at your high school.
UW universities partner with some local high schools to offer select college-level classes taught by certified high school instructors. These courses come at a reduced cost and can count for both high school and college credit.
Apply as a High School Special student.
If you are a qualified private or public high school student, you may be able to enroll directly in UW university courses—on campus or online—if space is available and you satisfy any applicable course prerequisites. In this case, you will pay full tuition and fees.
Details on Transcripts And Credits:
- College courses you complete in high school will be recorded and become part of your official university transcript.
- You will need to list these courses on your application and then submit this transcript in addition to your high school transcript when applying to colleges.
- If you attend the same UW university from which you earned credits, your coursework may count directly toward your degree.
- Planning to attend another school? Use Transferology to check how your UW credits might transfer.
If you have checked Transferology and you still have questions about how your college credits taken in high school may transfer, reach out to a Transfer Coordinator at the UW university at which you plan to enroll.