Some top-ranked American universities restrict the recognition of Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) course credits.
The escalating price of college education surpasses the financial capacity of the majority of Americans. Despite an expansive array of federal financial aid, an increasing number of individuals hold substantial levels of student debt, as indicated by data from Motley Fool.
People can lessen the financial burden of tuition in various methods, one of the most popular being gaining course credit for work completed prior to high school graduation. In certain instances, high schools can opt for dual enrollment by providing specific courses at a community college. Alternatively, they can offer college-level classes within high school and earn college credits by scoring 3 or higher on Advanced Placement (AP) subject tests or concluding the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.
However, these programs come at a cost for the colleges where the students enroll, as registrars cannot charge students for classes they've already completed. Consequently, over time, colleges and universities have established restrictions on receiving dual enrollment, AP, and IB credit.
A recent study conducted by the left-leaning think tank PPI (where I serve as a senior fellow and board member) identified which of the top 150 colleges and universities were the most and least generous when granting advanced college course credits (to access the complete list, visit here). The findings indicate that many higher education institutions restrict the utilization of AP and IB credit toward a degree, thereby limiting the ways students can save money.
Institutions with No Credit Allocation
Ten institutions award no credit for AP and/or IB work, whether the students scored exceptionally high or not. Among them are some of the most prestigious educational institutions in the country:
- Dartmouth College
- Brown University (accepts IB, but not AP)
- California Institute of Technology
- Williams College
- Amherst College
- Harvey Mudd College
- Colby College
- United States Military Academy
- Yeshiva University (accepts AP, but not IB)
- Soka University
Notably, some of these institutions exempt students from introductory courses, offering benefits to the students with no loss of tuition revenue for the university.
Additional Restrictions on AP and IB
More than half of the 150 institutions under investigation set a cap on the total amount of credit students can apply to their degree, with a few exceptions falling short of the number needed to finish a semester or two ahead of schedule. Furthermore, 75 of these institutions do not accept scores in all subject areas, and nearly half have increased the minimum score required to earn credit.
Approximately 20-50% of new university students have transferred from community colleges. However, navigating the system of credit transfers is challenging for students as they move between community colleges and four-year programs. Additionally, students often discover the amount of course credit they have earned (if any) from advanced coursework only after registering and attending classes, leaving them at the mercy of college administrators without the opportunity for a refund or time to explore alternative undergraduate programs.
Recent changes to some of the College Board's tests have raised concerns about their accuracy. Furthermore, critics argue that demanding recognition of AP credit would only increase the College Board's profits. However, the AP program is not the only means to earn advanced standing, and colleges and universities should push for improvements to AP tests rather than penalize incoming students by altering requirements.
Students who excel in AP or IB courses in high school can save anywhere between 12.5% and 25% of the overall cost of the degree by graduating early. According to the College Board, those who score a 3 on an AP exam have demonstrated an adequate level of comprehension to earn a grade of C, C+, or B- in a college class.
Regrettably, however, 64 institutions on the PPI list do not acknowledge this score whatsoever. Among elite universities such as Harvard, MIT, and Haverford, the minimum score required is a 5. In response to this trend, Texas, Illinois, and various other states have implemented legislation requiring their public colleges and universities to issue credit for scores of 3 or higher, with certain exceptions. This type of state law should be implemented nationally, and a similar standard should be established for IB and dual enrollment coursework. Recommended reforms include creating a national database detailing clearly the AP, IB, and dual enrollment credit policies for all colleges, and mandating that schools provide admitted students with a comprehensive list of the advanced course credits they have been awarded prior to the commencement of classes.
As the cost of college continues to climb, students require additional ways to finance their tuition and fees beyond loans and financial aid. AP, IB, and dual enrollment offer students the chance to significantly reduce the overall cost of college by enabling them to graduate early, making college more affordable without burdening taxpayers.
Although many students rely on AP and IB credits to save money on their college education, a significant number of top universities, such as Dartmouth College and Brown University, do not offer any credit for these courses. This restriction can add to the financial burden of students, as they may not be able to graduate early and save on tuition costs. Furthermore, many institutions have limitations on the total amount of credit students can apply to their degree or require high minimum scores to earn credit, making the process of transferring credits more challenging for students.
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