Families today face a barrage of mixed messages about higher education. Some say it’s essential; others argue it’s overrated. But beyond the ideological crossfire lies a proven, practical pathway that strengthens both opportunity and affordability: Dual Enrollment.
Dual Enrollment is more than a scheduling convenience or a budget-friendly head start. It allows high school students to earn a two-year associate degree by the time they graduate from high school, with credits that transfer to virtually all universities. It’s a civic and economic strategy that prepares students to lead, work, and serve. At its best, it aligns parental partnership, educational innovation, and institutional integrity. And it does so without compromising academic rigor.
What Is Dual Enrollment and Why Does It Matter?
Dual Enrollment allows high school students to take college-level courses—usually taught by their high school teachers who are certified to teach at the college level and collaborate directly with college faculty. Students earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. This approach does more than fast-track a transcript. It demystifies college for students who may be first-generation attendees. It raises expectations, not just performance.
Rio Salado College is leading the way for Dual Enrollment in Arizona and is recognized as a leader across the United States. With decades of experience, Rio Salado has helped shape and expand access to this model, serving as a benchmark for other institutions.
According to President Kate Smith of Rio Salado College, this model also boosts confidence. When students realize they can handle college-level work, they’re more likely to persist, complete degrees, and thrive professionally. And the data backs her up. A recent statewide study in Texas found that students who completed Dual Enrollment courses had higher GPAs, stronger graduation rates, and greater annual earnings 6 to 12 years later.
Savings and Strategy
The financial benefits are real. Dual Enrollment courses typically cost a fraction of traditional college tuition. For some families, that means thousands—sometimes tens of thousands—in savings. At Heritage Academy, the average family pays around $5,500 for an associate’s degree earned concurrently with a high school diploma. Across their campuses, Heritage families have saved an estimated $12 million annually through earned college credits.
Beyond cost, this is about time and opportunity. Students who complete an associate degree in high school can enter college as juniors, retaining freshman scholarship eligibility. This opens the door to graduate school, early career entry, or further specialization—without accruing crushing debt.
Integrity Matters: College Rigor, High School Setting
One common concern is whether the college credit earned in high school holds the same value. The answer lies in structure. Dual Enrollment instructors are vetted and credentialed by the college. Curriculum and assessments are co-developed to ensure parity. Colleges like Rio Salado have maintained academic standards, resisting the temptation to water down coursework for convenience.
In fact, the best programs leverage the unique strength of high school teachers: subject expertise paired with a deep understanding of adolescent learning. This combination supports students academically while building their independence. It’s not a shortcut; it’s scaffolding for serious scholarship.
Civic Preparation Through Education
Dual Enrollment isn’t just about personal gain. It’s about civic infrastructure. A republic needs educated citizens—people who understand history, economics, science, and the principles of liberty. When students experience real intellectual challenge and success early, they are better equipped to participate in the life of a free society.
And accessibility matters. At its founding, Rio Salado College sought to remove barriers—not mimic elite institutions. That founding ethos continues today, with flexible scheduling, online access, and a commitment to meeting learners where they are. This philosophy aligns with a conservative vision of local control and individual responsibility: meet people in their communities, equip them with tools, and let them lead.
Conclusion: A Model Worth Emulating
Dual Enrollment affirms a truth we too often forget: that young people rise when adults set the bar high and offer a way forward. When schools and colleges partner to align purpose, expectations, and opportunity, they do more than educate. They strengthen families, renew civic trust, and expand economic mobility.
Programs like these don’t just change transcripts; they change trajectories. They don’t lower the ceiling—they raise the floor. And in a moment when so much about education feels uncertain, Dual Enrollment stands out as a model rooted in clarity, accountability, and results.
Key Resources & Links
- Institute of Education Sciences “Dual Enrollment Programs” Evidence Snapshot
https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/EvidenceSnapshot/671 (Institute of Education Sciences)
— Finds dual-enrollment supports college access, credit-accumulation and degree attainment to a medium-to-large degree.
- Community College Research Center “The Postsecondary Outcomes of High School Dual Enrollment Students: A National & State-by-State Analysis”
https://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/publications/postsecondary-outcomes-dual-enrollment-national-state.html (CCRC)
— Tracks U.S. high school students who took college courses and shows stronger post-secondary outcomes, though large variation by state and subgroup.
- College in High School Alliance “College in High School Programs & Data – Reporting and Using Dual Enrollment Data to Improve Equity”
https://collegeinhighschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/CollegeinHighSchoolProgramsandData-ReportingandUsingDualEnrollmentDatatoImproveEquity.pdf (College in High School Alliance)
— Argues dual-enrollment is an effective tool for student success (especially for underserved groups) when designed and reported well, but emphasizes access and equity challenges.