A quick dual enrollment fact. You’ll pay SIGNIFICANTLY less money for tuition when your teen takes college classes as a high school student than after they graduate. I’ve seen parents dedicate an enormous amount of effort to the pursuit of scholarships while ignoring the staggering savings that come from dual enrollment. Let’s do some quick math.
I like real numbers; not only can you verify what I’m showing you, but you can duplicate the process at any college you like. Let’s do a short case study using the University of Alabama. They blew up in our community two years ago when they announced their $33 per credit Early College (dual enrollment) program. Let’s break down the numbers – and for this demonstration, I’m only using tuition dollars. The reason is because everyone pays tuition, but extras like housing, meals, living expenses, textbooks, etc. are more a matter of lifestyle, and far be it from me to squash anyone’s Glam Dorm design.
Shelly Gates, Mary Margaret Designs. Her dorm makeovers have gone viral, as shown in this 2026 University of Alabama room that cost $20,000. @marymargaretdesigns
<– see? I’m not going there. You do you.
College After High School is Expensive
I know you know that, but do you realize how much control you have over the cost of tuition? Tuition is a direct cost, which is college-speak for “fixed” cost. This means your student will be billed for tuition, and you’ll have to pay the amount to the college. Like in the image of the the dorm above, you won’t be billed for fancy pillows, so those costs are not direct, and therefore are optional. Tuition is not optional.
University of Alabama Tuition is the cost you’ll pay for classes only. If you visit the website, you’re not going to find this as a clear dollar amount; you’ll have to input your information into the Net Price Calculator or find the Cost of Attendance Page.
If your student is in-state, you’ll pay about 1/3 the cost, however, 56% of University of Alabama students are out of state, so the majority will pay the cost below. (July 2026)
Tuition year 1 (30 credits): $36,724
Tuition year 2 (30 credits): $36,724
Tuition year 3 (30 credits): $36,724
Tuition year 4 (30 credits): $36,724
The math nerd in me has to tell you that only 56% of students at the University of Alabama graduate in 4 years. Most will take 5-6 years, and some take longer, but for this case study, we will assume your student will finish on time.
Total tuition for 4 years (120 credits): $146,896
Early College at University of Alabama
Students can begin the online Early College program in the summer after 9th grade. The first requirement is an “intro to college” type class that everyone must take (it’s free) and once you do, you can proceed with gusto. Students who start when eligible will be able to take online UA courses during 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.
Students can earn up to 30 credits through the program, which costs $33 per credit. Assume a student takes the maximum allowable UA credits and selects courses that will apply to their degree at UA.
Tuition: 30 credits: $990
As you ask yourself if spending $990 in high school is worth it, refer back to the cost of 30 credits all students pay after high school: $36,724. In this example that uses REAL NUMBERS, your student just received $36,724 in tuition for $990. That’s like getting a $36,625 scholarship!!
Let It Sink In
Once the numbers sink in, you begin to rethink the entire accumulation of 120 credits and start looking for ways to bring in MORE than the 30 from their Early College program. Once you start thinking about the cost through this lens, everything begins to open up for you!
UA accepts CLEP exams for additional college credit. They have a fantastic policy, allowing a student to bring in as many as 30 additional credits beyond the 30 earned during Early College. If you take this approach, you’ll want to choose the exams that line up with the requirements of the general education and major your teen wants. Resourcefully planning 60 credits (30 Early College & 30 CLEP) takes careful planning, but if you can do it with the next 30 credits, that’s another $36,724 saved. Not a bad way to bring the cost of college down from the privacy of your own home!
UA Accepted CLEP Exams and Policy
PRO TIP: French, German, or Spanish CLEP yields an incredible 12 college credits each, while Biology and Chemistry yield a possible 8 each!
The plan above, dual enrollment and CLEP, can reduce the cost of a degree at the University of Alabama by 50%. And your student will still enter as a freshman, still be eligible for merit aid, still qualify for scholarships, and still qualify for grants. This preliminary work is building your “on-ramp” to a college degree without debt. It really is as simple as I’ve described in this post.
My 15 ur old son was recently accepted into the PUP program at WTAMU. He will take one course per summer session to start and see how it goes. They also accept many CLEP exams (like 32), which is good for us. Thank you for sharing this information!!
Way to go Cassie!! Taking that first step making it happen!! $$ 🙂