North Carolina Students Expanded College Credit Access
Families in North Carolina are leveraging dual enrollment to earn tuition-free college credits and industry credentials.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Secondary Education
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During the 2024-25 school year, 95,000 students across North Carolina participated in dual enrollment programs. These partnerships allow high schoolers to earn college credits or professional certifications before graduation.
Why it matters
These programs help families significantly reduce future college tuition costs while providing students early access to high-growth sectors like biotechnology and health care. Participation also correlates with higher cumulative wages for graduates after they enter the workforce.
In 2024-25, 59% of participating students chose the College Transfer pathway, while 22% of Durham Public Schools graduates earned a community college credential. Participants benefit from wage premiums of 7% for transfer students and 14% for technical credential holders over seven years.
The players
North Carolina Community College System
The state educational body that manages academic and technical pathways supported by a 1.86 billion dollar annual appropriation.
Durham Public Schools
The local educational district currently aiming for 25% of graduates to hold college credentials by 2028.
Bloomberg Philanthropies
A global charitable organization that provided a 29 million dollar grant to support health science education in Durham.
Duke Health
A major regional healthcare provider that plans to hire at least 60 students from the local Early College of Health Sciences program.
The details
Students enroll in college courses through partnerships between their high schools and local community colleges or universities. Participants utilize six terms of eligibility, spanning 11th and 12th grade plus two summer sessions, to complete their coursework. Programs like the Durham Early College of Health Sciences receive specialized funding, such as a 29 million dollar grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies, to facilitate direct pipelines into employers like Duke Health.
Timeline
1983: North Carolina launched the dual enrollment program.
2011: The General Assembly established the Career and College Promise program.
2024-25: 95,000 students participated in dual enrollment statewide.
2028: Target year for Durham graduate credential goal.
The Home Front
The state-supported dual enrollment infrastructure builds on the Career and College Promise program to shift how families approach the cost of higher education. This focus aligns with broader state efforts to integrate technical training directly into secondary education curricula.
Families should check with their local high school guidance counselor to determine which dual enrollment pathways are available during a student's junior and senior years. Review these course options early to ensure that chosen credits will transfer effectively to the student's intended university or college program.
The takeaway
Dual enrollment allows high schoolers to earn college credits and career certifications, significantly reducing long-term tuition costs for families. Parents should verify their student's eligibility for these programs early to maximize the six terms of available coursework.
What happens next
Durham Public Schools is working toward a goal of having 25 percent of its graduates earn a college degree or certification by 2028.
Further reading
Learn more about local academic initiatives in the Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by INDY Week.
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