Skip Navigation

Dual Credit = College Savings

Horizon partners with Oregon Tech (OIT) and George Fox University (GFU) to offer students fully transferable college credit and an official college transcript while also earning weighted high school credit. Dual credit courses follow college curriculum, use college textbooks, and are graded with college standards.

Unlike AP classes, IB curriculum, or even traditional honors courses, students are enrolled in a legitimate university class and not just a more difficult high school course. These courses prepare students for the academic rigor they will encounter at the university level.

Our Dual Credit program provides a significant financial benefit, by saving families thousands of dollars and enabling students to enter college with 1 to 3 terms of undergraduate credits already completed. 

How is credit earned in each type of course?


Dual Credit Courses: Students earn transferable college credit and weighted high school credit simultaneously.

AP Courses: Students earn high school credit; college credit is not guaranteed.

Is college credit guaranteed through these courses?


Dual Credit Courses: Receive an official college transcript from Oregon Institute of Technology or George Fox University with college credits upon passing the course.

AP Courses: College credit is not guaranteed and depends on AP Portfolio/AP exam scores (usually 3+) and college’s credit policies.

Who teaches the course and what qualifications do they have?


Dual Credit Courses: Courses are taught by HCHS teachers approved by Oregon Institute of Technology and George Fox University, ensuring college-level curriculum and learning outcomes.

AP Courses: Courses are taught by high school teachers using College Board AP curriculum.

How are students graded and what determines college credit?

 

Dual Credit Courses: Courses are graded by HCHS teachers using college standards; college credit is earned upon passing the course.

AP Courses: High school course graded by a high school teacher; college credit is not guaranteed.

What costs are involved with each course type?

 

Dual Credit Courses: Tuition, offered at a significantly reduced rate, is paid directly to Oregon Tech or George Fox University.

AP Courses: Students are responsible to pay the College Board AP exam fee.

How does the course appear on a student’s transcript?


Dual Credit Courses: Course grades appear on an official college transcript from Oregon Institute of Technology or George Fox University, and on the HCHS high school transcript.

AP Courses: Course grades appear only on the high school transcript. When applying or enrolling in college, AP Portfolio or exam scores are submitted to the college to determine if credit will be awarded.

How do courses prepare students for college-level work?


Dual Credit Courses: Students will experience college-level coursework, learning environment, and academic expectations inside a high school classroom.

AP Courses: Students experience college-level exams; less direct exposure to college learning outcomes and coursework.

 

*460 credits earned at a 2025-26 Oregon Institute of Technology tuition & fees rate of $617/credit. 314 credits earned at a 2025-26 George Fox tuition rate of $1320/credit.

 

​"Horizon’s dual enrollment program put me on pace to graduate college as a double major in three years, and the material taught in those classes resonated in my 400 level classes I took during the first year at college. The style of the dual credit classes prepares students for their college courses, and I would not be on the academic and career path that I am without taking advantage of these classes."

"Dual credit courses gave me insight of what a college classroom looks like.  I saved nearly $15,000 by taking dual credit classes at Horizon. The teachers at Horizon truly care about each student and are willing to offer help because they want to see each student succeed and be prepared for the future."