Diminishing Credit II - How Colleges and Universities Restrict the Use of AP and IB Towards Earning a Degree in Less Than Four Years

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai

Examines how colleges and universities limit the value of Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) work when students pursue graduation in under four years. Cites evidence from the Progressive Policy Institute showing many schools restrict AP and similarly deny or reduce IB credit, even when completed coursework meets expected achievement standards. Highlights rising enrollment, rising exam participation, and administrative barriers that delay clarity on credit transfers and push students toward lower-cost pathways that are made difficult to access before enrollment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Diminishing Credit II: How Colleges and Universities Restrict the Use of AP and IB Towards Earning a Degree in Less Than Four Years

Short History of AP and IB

Diminishing Credit II: How Colleges and Universities Restrict the Use of AP and IB Towards Earning a Degree in Less Than Four Years PAUL WEINSTEIN JR. PROGRESSIVE POLICY INSTITUTE DECEMBER 2024 @ppi | @progressivepolicyinstitute | /progressive-policy-institute DIMINISHING CREDIT II: HOW COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES RESTRICT THE USE OF AP AND IB TOWARDS EARNING A DEGREE IN LESS THAN FOUR YEARS DHolnlenndgUCreniversidtiRIeIs:trict PAUL WDECEEINMSTEBERIN20JR24. the Use of AP and IB Towards Earning a Degree in Less Than Four Years INTRODUCTION In 2016, the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) released an analysis of school policies regarding Advanced Placement (AP) credit. Despite being one of the few ways students could seek to graduate in fewer than four years, we discovered that the vast majority of the nation’stop schools restricted students from applying AP coursework toward degree credits. Unfortunately, despite strong evidence that successfully completed AP courses meet the standards of achievement expected by colleges and universities, the situation has deteriorated significantly as more schools seek to protect their revenue streams. Furthermore, schools have significantly diminished the value of other college-level coursework completed before matriculation. For example, U. S. universities and colleges limit the amount of course credit awarded to students who have completed coursework through the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, which is increasingly offered throughout the country. PPI’s study shows that IB credit was typically denied atthe same rate as credit as AP. Today, more students than ever enroll in AP courses and exams. In 2023, 5.2 million AP exams were taken by high school students, up from 1.6 million in 2002.1 A study from the College Board, which owns AP, shows that 738,698 students, or 21.7% of students in the class of 2023, scored at least a 3, more than 2 points higher than the class of 2013.2 Although still small by comparison to the reach of AP (almost 23,000 high schools offer AP courses), 900 high schools in America now offer the IB diploma. This number has risen considerably since 1971, when the first IB program was taught [in a U.S. school.](in a U.S. school.3)[3](in a U.S. school.3) The granting of credit for AP and IB is one of the few ways students can reduce the cost of attending college. Presently, the average cost of attending a private, nonprofit college or university is $38,421, and $15,868 for a public university.4 DIMINISHING CREDIT II: HOW COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES RESTRICT THE USE OF AP AND IB TOWARDS EARNING A DEGREE IN LESS THAN FOUR YEARS Students who successfully complete AP or IB courses in high school could graduate in some cases either one year or one semester early, saving them anywhere between 12. 5% to 25% of the total cost of the degree. Students have other tools that help them graduate college at a lower cost. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, between 20% to 50% of new university students have transferred from community college. But as students move between community college and four-year programs, many find it very difficult to navigate the system of credit transfers and agreements. Furthermore, students looking for information on credits for AP or IB work (and courses completed at community colleges as well), often have to wait until they arrive on campus and have paid their first tuition installment. Many schools have made it increasingly difficult to figure out how much AP or IB credit will be awarded before stepping on campus. Many institutions are leaving that decision to academic departments. And more and more schools are offering only waivers on introductory courses in lieu of course credit. For too long students have been at the mercy of college administrators — forced to pay higher tuition bills and fees for things that should be free —transcripts, tickets for graduation, etc. Policymakers need to

FAQs

What is the main finding about AP credit in this report?

Most schools restrict students from applying completed AP coursework toward degree credits, limiting the ability to graduate in fewer than four years.

How do schools treat IB credit compared with AP credit?

The report states that IB credit was typically denied at about the same rate as AP, reducing the value of other college-level coursework completed before matriculation.

Why do students face difficulties getting credit decisions before arriving on campus?

Many institutions make it hard to determine in advance how much AP or IB credit will be awarded, leaving decisions to academic departments or replacing credit with waivers on introductory courses.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fahsai