Good News for Community Colleges: Dual Enrollments Are on the Rise

Dual Enrollment (DE) is catching on as students and their families recognize the advantages of earning college credit while still working towards high school graduation. But students aren’t the only ones to benefit— colleges and employers stand to win as well.

The San Francisco Chronicle recently called dual enrollment “the hottest trend in public education today,” stating that dual enrollment participation in California has shot up 58% since 2018, to 283,844 students, and about 87% of these students enroll in 2-year colleges (EdSource).

“The popularity of dual enrollment has been increasing as more students and families recognize the financial and academic benefit,” says Jenny Hughes, Director of K-12 Partnerships at Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC). “Additionally, high schools and colleges are becoming more aware of how DE programs contribute to higher college graduation rates and academic success.”

Offering students early exposure to college-level coursework, dual enrollment boosts their academic confidence and readiness for postsecondary education. Students not only gain college credit but enjoy the opportunity to explore subjects their high school may not offer, all while learning essential skills such as time management, independent learning, and critical thinking.

Dual enrollment eases the transition to higher learning by giving students a sneak peek into college-level expectations. Students start building a college transcript, making them more competitive when applying to universities or other programs. Of course, the biggest benefit of all is that it saves time and money.
“With the rising cost of college, students and their families are increasingly turning to DE as a way to save on tuition costs and accelerate their time to degree,” Hughes says.

For career education students in dual enrollment, they gain early exposure to industry-specific skills and credentials, helping them enter the workforce with hands-on experience and certifications, Hughes explains.

“Students can take courses in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and other high-demand fields, aligning their academic education with the skills that employers seek,” Hughes says. “DE programs can also allow students to earn certifications that are recognized in their chosen industries. Creating a direct pathway from high school to employment.”

According to Gateway College and Career Academy, an alternative high school that partners with Riverside City College on dual enrollment for its students, students who enroll in DE programs are more likely to graduate from high school, enroll and persist in college, and earn a bachelor’s degree in shorter time. DE students outperform non-dual enrollment students on a range of college outcomes, including college enrollment, first-year grade point average (GPA), credit accumulation, and persistence to the second year of college.

A 2023 study from the Public Policy Institute of California backs up these claims, finding that students in at least one statewide dual enrollment program obtained associate degrees or certificates at higher rates than non-dual enrollees. The report says 82% of DE students enrolled in college vs. 66% of peers, 59% completed transfer-level English vs. 42% of peers, 38% completed transfer-level math vs. 23% of peers.

The success of dual enrollment has the potential to help address many problems facing higher education in the years ahead. One such problem is the impending “enrollment cliff” due to hit in the next few years, stemming from a drop in traditional college-age students straight out of high school. Dual enrollment can make higher learning more attractive and accessible for a wider range of students.

“By reducing the financial burden of higher education and shortening the time to a degree, this makes college more appealing to students, particularly those who may not have considered postsecondary education due to financial or logistical barriers,” Hughes says.

Dual enrollment has the potential to keep expanding, not only helping with college enrollments but also labor market needs:

“More courses could be offered in high-demand fields like STEM, healthcare, business, and the arts, which can align with local labor market needs and help students gain industry-relevant skills,” Hughes says.