10 College Credit Programs for High School Students in 2024-2025
Participating in college credit programs during high school is a great way to get a step ahead and familiarize yourself with advanced academics. Many students participate in such programs to explore their interests, gain practical knowledge, and even save on tuition by transferring the credits. College credit programs could even boost your college admissions chances by demonstrating your ability to excel in advanced courses.
Many different kinds of programs are available for high school students to earn college credit, covering a range of different subjects. Because these college-level courses are condensed into a few weeks, you will need to be prepared for an intense course load and manage your time to get the most out of these programs.
We have compiled a list of 10 college credit programs high school students can apply for in 2024-2025.
Location: Online
Cost: $2,990–$8,900 (depending on the kind of program). Need-based financial aid is available for the individual researcher program
Deadline: Varies according to cohort. November 24, 2024 for the upcoming winter cohort
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate high academic achievement (most accepted students have a GPA above 3.3)
Program Dates: Vary according to cohort
With the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, you can complete an independent research project while being personally mentored by a researcher from a top university. You will pick a topic, conduct research, write a paper, and perhaps even publish it, all while receiving 1-1 guidance from the mentor you are paired with. Upon completion of the program, you will receive 3 post-baccalaureate credits from the University of California, San Diego. The university’s Extended Studies division provides opportunities to develop your skills and get professional training.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA or online
Cost: $4,050–$14,950 (depends on the duration, location, and number of credits offered) + $75 non-refundable application fee. Partial need-based financial aid is available
Deadline: January 8, 2025, for early applications; February 12, 2025, for regular applications
Program Dates:
4-week program: July 13 – August 8, 2025
7-week program: June 21 – August 9, 2025
Eligibility: For the summer 2025 cohort, students who will graduate from high school in 2025, 2026, or 2027 may apply. You must be at least 16 years old by June 21, 2025, and not turn 19 years old before July 31, 2025
Harvard’s Secondary School Program is available in 4-week residential (4 credits), 7-week residential (8 credits), 7-week commuting (4 or 8 credits), and 7-week online formats (4 or 8 credits). Courses are available in over 50 topics in STEM, social science, and humanities. These rigorous courses taught by Harvard faculty demand commitment and out-of-class studying. Because the residential courses allow you to live on campus, you can immerse yourself in the college experience while learning real-world skills. You can also attend social and career readiness events with other students. The school reports that 20% of survey respondents who attended Harvard Summer School went on to study at an Ivy League college.
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA or online
Cost: $6,000–$10,000 (depending on whether you live on campus or commute) + $350 non-refundable registration fee. Full and partial need- and merit-based financial aid is available to high school students from California
Deadline: May 1, 2025
Duration: June 24 – August 2, 2025
Eligibility: High school students in grade 10 or 11 as of spring who have a minimum 3.6 GPA
The Summer College Immersion Program is one of the summer programs UCLA offers for high school students. This 6-week course has three formats: SCIP, SCIP+, and eSCIP. SCIP and SCIP+ are conducted on campus, whereas eSCIP is online. SCIP+ introduces students to research and focuses on academic discovery. All SCIP programs give you the chance to experience undergraduate life in the form of lectures, workshops, and seminars alongside regular coursework. You can choose from among the 100 courses available to high school students. Unlike other summer courses at UCLA, SCIP gives you access to the co-curricular aspects of college life. You can select 1 or 2 approved courses that do not conflict with the mandatory co-curriculars.
Location: Online
Cost: $1,840 per credit (number of credits depends on the course)
Deadline: December 2, 2024
Program Dates: January 2 – 18, 2025
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who will be at least 15 years old at the start of the course. You must meet all course prerequisites
The Winter session for Cornell’s Precollege Studies program is only available online. The other cohorts (spring, summer, and fall) are conducted online or on campus. You will take undergraduate-level courses taught by Cornell’s faculty in subjects such as animal science, psychology, history of art, archaeology, and more. There are numerous courses to choose from, and you can earn 3–12 credits during your time with Cornell. The global classroom means that you are exposed to various cultures and can learn from a diverse class population. Moreover, the 1-1 admissions counseling can help you prepare for college applications.
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $2,475 per point (6 points is approximately 2 courses) + $80 non-refundable application fee. There may be additional fees such as student activities, document, technology, and health and related services fees
Deadline: December 2, 2024 for the spring session
Program Dates: January 21 – May 16, 2025
Eligibility: Students in grades 11 and 12 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3. Grade 10 students can participate in the summer after 10th grade. International students may only apply for the summer term
High school students have the opportunity to study alongside college students in this program to earn credit. You may receive up to 12 credits during the spring and fall cohorts and up to 6 credits in the summer cohort. You can choose courses in mathematics, statistics, chemistry, and Germanic languages. Beyond classroom teachings, you will receive access to workshops that will help you prepare not only for undergraduate academics but also for a career in your chosen field.
Location: Online
Cost: $5,113 for 1 course and $10,074 for 2 courses. Financial aid may be available
Deadline: May 10, 2025 (tentative, based on the previous year)Duration: June 16 – August 1, 2025
Eligibility: Rising or recently graduated high school seniors who will be 17 years old by June 16, 2025
Brown University’s Pre-Baccalaureate Program offers a chance for high school students to experience college life at Brown by studying with undergraduates during the summer sessions. This academic program has a range of courses to choose from, including STEM, social sciences, humanities, and visual and performing arts. You can apply to 1 or 2 courses. By the end of the program, you will receive course credit and be evaluated on a letter-grade basis. Typically, the class size is small, which enables more personal instruction from the professor. Overall, you can expect to dedicate 25 hours a week throughout the 7-week program.
Location: Online
Cost: $1,600 + $35 application fee. Need-based partial or full financial aid is available
Deadline: January 6, 2025
Program Dates: January 27 – May 15, 2025
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the prerequisite courses
Stanford’s pre-college program offers 13 courses throughout the year in university-level math and physics. The program is conducted online, so you can complete the core curriculum at your own pace. The course instructors are available for optional office hours, and for larger classes, you can attend optional online discussions. Practice problems are available for you to test your knowledge as you move through the course. Be prepared to commit to 8–12 hours every week to complete the course material. By the end of the program, you will complete a 3-hour pen and paper exam to receive a letter grade. Each course provides 3 credits. The aim of this program is for you to explore your interests in math and physics and develop skills relevant to these fields.
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC or online
Cost: $2,840 for regular or non-science lab course + $120 transcript fee
Deadline: June 16, 2025
Program Dates: June 30 – August 11, 2025
Eligibility: Students in 10th or 11th grade in the 2024–2025 academic year who wil be at least 16 years old by the start of the course
The summer program for high school students at Duke University is a rigorous option for those who want to boost their college applications. With online and in-person options, you can participate from anywhere in the country. The course culminates in final exams that will give you a transcript and college credits. Online course options include Virtue Theory, Medical Neuroscience, and Introduction to Creative Writing.
Location: In-person at partner schools’ campuses in Texas
Cost: The website does not provide information about the cost
Deadline: September 20, 2025 (tentative based on the previous year)
Program Dates: Varies depending on the subject
Eligibility: High school students. You may have to fulfill additional criteria specific to your course of choice
This college credit program offers dual enrollment for students in Texas to get ahead in their undergraduate journey. Its courses are designed based on those offered by the University of Texas at Austin to align with the expectations of leading research universities. Some programs last for 2 semesters, while others may take 1 year; each course is unique in the experience and learning it offers, including lab- and project-based teaching and research work.
Location: Online, hybrid, or in-person at partner high schools or colleges
Cost: None
Deadline: Most programs follow a first-come, first-served process. Generally, the deadline is around late-April or early-June for the summer session
Program Dates: Depends on the course and partner school
Eligibility: New York City public high school juniors and seniors, registered homeschooled students, and students with disabilities whose private school tuition is supported by the DOE. Students with a GPA of 80+ can apply to all courses, whereas students with a 70+ GPA are eligible for some courses. Additional course-specific eligibility criteria may apply
College Now is a partner program offered by the City University of New York and New York City Public Schools. The College Now summer session takes place on college campuses, while the spring and fall sessions take place either on a college or high school campus. Even if your course takes place in a high school, you will have the opportunity to take a college campus tour. By the end of the program, you can earn up to 16 credits. Because the program is free for participants, you do not have to take on a financial burden to gain college credits.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.