Number Of Wisconsin High Schoolers Getting College Credit Early Has Almost Doubled Since 2010

The number of students taking courses for college credit while they’re still in high school almost doubled in the last five years.

Close to 13,000 high school students received college credit within the Wisconsin Technical College System in 2010. That number rose to more than 22,000 last year. System spokesman Conor Smyth said students and families are putting a premium on affordability.

“If they can walk out of high school with three, six, nine, 18 college credits at no cost to the student or their family, we’re talking about a semester or more of college,” said Smyth. “They’re saving both time and money.”

WITC Academic Affairs Vice President Bonny Copenhaver said they signed more than 300 agreements during the 2013-14 school year with 47 high schools so students can receive credit for courses they took.

“They’re getting college credit and they’re getting high school credit,” she said.

Copenhaver said students who get credits early are better positioned to get a job out of high school or seek additional schooling.