Choosing a high school course load used to be simple, but in today’s world of college admissions, “rigor” is the name of the game. From AP and IB to CCP and Honors, the modern high school curriculum is no longer a one-size-fits-all model.

College admissions officers want to see that students have challenged themselves, but for families, the conversation often shifts to a more practical concern: return on investment. Can these classes actually save you thousands in tuition, or are they simply adding unnecessary stress to an already busy high schooler’s life?

Understanding the nuances between programs like Advanced Placement and College Credit Plus is essential for maximizing both a student’s GPA and their future college savings. In this post, we’ll dive into the details of the most popular advanced tracks for Ohio-based families to help you determine which options provide the best fit for your student’s transcript and your family’s college budget.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Created by the College Board, AP courses are offered by your high school as an approximate “college-level” course. (They are high school classes that earn a high school grade.) They are taught at a faster pace (more like college), and students need to be academically ready for the rigor and faster pace of AP classes. Every AP course culminates in an optional fee-based final exam graded on a score of 1 to 5.

Benefits?

• College admission officials like to see students challenge themselves.
• Achieving a high exam grade (3, 4, or 5) may exempt you from taking the entry level class in that topic in college. Example, achieving a 5 on AP German could equal 4 semesters of college German courses. Skipping these courses in college saves money OR opens spots in your schedule to take other classes.
• The pace and demands of AP classes helps students prepare for the rigor of college classes.
• AP courses are often weighted by the high school when calculating a student’s GPA. Instead of earning 4 points for an A, an AP student would earn 5 points for that A on a 4-point scale.

Drawbacks?

• Any potential for use of the course in college depends on one exam, on one day, with no make-ups! If a student is not a good test taker, sick, or not well-prepared by their teacher, scoring a 3, 4, or 5 will be a challenge.
• Not every college accepts AP coursework for earned credit. Some may. Some may not. Some may only if the exam score was a 4 or 5. Taking the AP classes may help a student get in, but the college may not apply the credit. This web page can help you find colleges that offer credit or placement for AP scores. Always check each candidate college’s website for the most up-to-date specifics.
• Not every student is ready to take AP classes. Carefully weigh the best class for each student.
• The cost to take one AP exam in the US is $99. Your high school may also charge you for course supplies and additional fees. While less expensive than a college course, taking many AP courses can quickly get expensive.

Honors Classes

Honors classes may be offered by the high school (often in 9th and 10th grades) to provide more challenge and a more in-depth examination of a topic. Honors coursework is not standardized and can vary immensely from school to school. Students should only take an honors class in a subject they are prepared for and/or are extremely motivated to do well in.

Benefits?

• Provides a challenge to a student who may become bored in the standard class in an area in which they excel.
• Shows the college that a student is striving for more rigor in their courses.
• Allows a student who may not be ready for an AP class to still challenge themselves.

Drawbacks?

• Does not provide money savings in college. Colleges do not reward honors courses with earned credit.
• If a student is not prepared for an honors course and their grade reflects that, their GPA will suffer. Honors courses may not be weighted like AP courses (although sometimes they are–depends on the high school). So, a “C” will be 2 points (on a 4-point scale) and will negatively affect their GPA. A “C” in an AP class will earn 3 points—the same as a “B” in a standard class.

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate® (IB) program was created in 1968 as an advanced educational option for students. The IB Diploma is earned by following a specific series of courses in every subject during 11th and 12th grades. Exams are graded on a scale of 1 to 7 with 7 being the highest. Students can take coursework on the diploma path or just individual IB classes.

Benefits?

• Colleges reward college credit for higher level IB courses where a student achieves a certain exam score. Here is an example from Ohio State.
• Students in the diploma program receive a well-rounded curriculum of challenging coursework with an emphasis on writing and research skills.
• The “international” nature of the diploma encourages a global, culturally-sensitive perspective.
• High school grades are typically weighted when calculating the GPA.

Drawbacks?

• Students do not receive financial aid simply because they are IB students. College savings are recognized by earning college credit.
• The most competitive universities will expect high scores across all six subjects (English, math, science, language, the arts, and humanities). Students must perform well in all of them.
• The minimum cost to take one IB exam in the US is $119. As with the AP costs, taking many IB courses can quickly add up.

College Coursework

Whether it’s called “dual enrollment” or “College Credit Plus” (as it is here in Ohio), more and more students are leaving their home school to earn transcripted college credit at their local universities. Some high schools are also offering these college courses within the walls of the high school. 

Benefits?

• Students may get to leave their home school and experience the wider spectrum of college classes available.
• It gives students the real experience with what a college class is like.
• College credit can be earned without having to rely on a final exam grade.
• Colleges reviewing a student’s application will note the more challenging rigor demonstrated.
• Some students find the pace of a college class easier than the accelerated pace of an AP course.
• One year of high school equals two semesters of college.
• In Ohio, taking College Credit Plus through public universities is free up to a certain number of credit hours per year. (Private universities may or may not charge a small fee.)
• Students needing accommodations can access the college’s disability services office. In college, receiving accommodations is a student-driven process. Students can choose whether to register.

Drawbacks?

• Not every college accepts transferred credits. Be sure to seek out those colleges that do in your college search. This web page can help.
• The college application process may need to be closely monitored to ensure proper credit is given for the college classes a student has taken (a college transcript should be sent to colleges with the application).
• Transportation to and from the college is not provided by the home school.
• A student who is not ready for a college class may struggle and cause their GPA to be affected.
• In Ohio, if the student fails the course, they will be expected to pay a fee in addition to the grade showing up on their high school and college transcript.

A Multitude of Other Options

Mentorship, internships, marketing programs (like DECA), STEM, teacher academy, other career academies, career and technical education schools, service learning, and Junior ROTC are just a few of the vast number of additional options available to high school students today.

Benefits?

• Students get away from sitting at a desk and make their day more interesting.
• They connect with experiences a student wouldn’t otherwise receive.
• Students can earn real career knowledge by exploring their interests in the amazing programs offered.
• Programs like these make a college applicant stand out in a sea of sameness.
• Certifications can be earned for real job experience.
• Some options, like career and technical education, include the opportunity to earn college credit.
• Allows students to explore their interests and skills before heading to college with a declared major.

Drawbacks?

• These options may not save any money on college tuition. However, colleges will be highly interested in the programs a student engaged with, and these types of real-world experiences make a college applicant stand out.

The Key Takeaway

Understanding all the advanced high school course options that could save your student money is critical, but also consider this: the “right” schedule for your student isn’t necessarily the one with the most difficult classes; it’s the one that balances academic rigor with a student’s specific goals, strengths, and mental well-being.

Academic pace and growing-up pace are personal choices – not a one-size-fits-all thing. Some students are compelled to race forward, and others need to move at the pace that’s perfect for them. Embrace your student’s needs first! All class options have pros and cons to be weighed. Knowing about the options is only the first step to ensure your student not only gets a great education at a great price, but also lives a happy and fulfilling life.

Originally published 2/2018 with help from Beth Probst
Updated 02/2026