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Dual enrollment · Arizona college credit in high school
Arizona has one of the strongest dual enrollment systems in the country. Through the Maricopa, Pima, NAU, and ASU programs, many students graduate high school with 30+ transferable college credits — the equivalent of a full freshman year — at little or no cost.
Why dual enrollment matters
Save $5,000–$25,000 in future tuition — one year of credits taken in high school at zero or reduced cost
Graduate from a 4-year university in 3 years instead of 4 (with 30+ credits)
Test your major before you commit to it as a full-time college student
Build college study habits and get a letter grade transcript before college applications
Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) block: 35 credits that fulfill ALL gen ed at ASU, UA, or NAU
Arizona dual enrollment programs
Maricopa Community Colleges — Dual Enrollment
Phoenix metroCost: Often free or $0–$65/credit (school district pays)
Credits: Up to 30+ credits transferable to ASU, UA, or NAU via AGEC
Who: Students enrolled in partner high schools; courses taught at the high school or on a CC campus
The Maricopa system serves 50+ high schools in the Valley. Credits earned count toward the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) transfer block — you can arrive at a public AZ university with your entire first year done.
Pima Community College — Concurrent Enrollment
Tucson / Southern ArizonaCost: Heavily subsidized; many students pay $0 (TUSD and other district partnerships)
Credits: Gen ed and elective credits; transferable via AGEC
Who: Southern Arizona high school students in partner districts; some open-enrollment options
PCC and the Tucson Unified School District have deep dual enrollment partnerships. Students can earn a full year of transferable college credits before graduating high school.
NAU Early College
Statewide (Northern AZ emphasis)Cost: Reduced rate; $150–$200/credit — check current rates at nau.edu/dce
Credits: NAU credits (gen ed, intro courses); most transfer to other AZ public universities
Who: Eligible high school juniors and seniors; minimum GPA and test requirements
Taught by high school teachers credentialed by NAU or by NAU faculty online. Credit quality and transfer rates are strong within the AZ public system.
ASU Earned Admission + Pre-Enrollment
StatewideCost: ASU Online per-credit rate (~$635/credit); some courses subsidized through district partnerships
Credits: ASU credit — transfers freely within the AZ public university system
Who: High school students with 3.0+ GPA; no separate admission application required for pre-enrollment
Not technically "dual enrollment" by the district definition, but students can take real ASU courses online before graduation. The "Earned Admission" track is for students who don't meet freshman admission standards yet.
EVIT & East Valley Tech Dual Enrollment
East Valley (Maricopa County)Cost: Often free through district agreements
Credits: Technical/CTE credits plus some gen ed; transferable to CTE programs at CGCC and MCC
Who: East Valley high school students in EVIT partner districts
Particularly strong for students pursuing healthcare, IT, culinary, or trade careers — EVIT courses carry industry certifications alongside dual enrollment credits.
The AGEC: Arizona's transferable gen-ed block
The Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) is a 35-credit block of courses that fulfills ALL general education requirements at any Arizona public university — ASU, UA, or NAU. If your dual enrollment courses complete the AGEC, you arrive at the university with gen ed done. No re-taking composition. No re-taking math. Just your major.
Most Maricopa and Pima Community College dual enrollment courses apply toward AGEC. Ask your CC advisor which courses count toward the block — and plan your dual enrollment sequence intentionally to complete it before you transfer.
What to watch out for
D/F grades follow you
Dual enrollment grades appear on your college transcript permanently. A D in Composition can hurt your college GPA for four years. Only take courses you are genuinely ready for.
Not all credits transfer outside Arizona
AGEC blocks transfer seamlessly within AZ public universities. But if you plan to attend an out-of-state or private school, verify transfer credit acceptance before relying on them.
Scholarship GPA calculations vary
Some scholarships (including some ASU and UA merit awards) calculate GPA only from high school coursework, not dual enrollment. Others include it. Check each scholarship's criteria.
Some financial aid doesn't cover pre-college credits
Federal financial aid (Pell, loans) is NOT available for dual enrollment while you're in high school. State and district subsidies cover most of the cost — but plan accordingly if you're paying out of pocket.
Related tools
2+2 transfer-path calculator
See exactly how much starting at a CC and transferring saves vs. going straight to a 4-year.
AP credit value guide
How much AP scores save you — by score threshold and university, with the AZ public university AP tables.
Community college cost with aid
See how Pell Grant often makes AZ community college free — sometimes with a refund.
High-school course roadmap
Which classes to take and why — the rigor ladder (Honors → AP → dual enrollment).
College application timeline
When dual enrollment credits need to be done for transfer scholarship deadlines.
GPA calculator
Weighted + unweighted GPA — how dual enrollment grades affect your scholarship GPA.