Dual enrollment is becoming increasingly popular, and there are good reasons for this trend. As more high school students earn college credits before graduating, colleges and universities have a unique opportunity to engage with these students early on, strengthen pathways to higher education, and enhance college readiness among diverse populations.
This article examines the latest trends, the access barriers that still affect students, and how colleges can work together with school counselors to reach more prospective students.
A National Trend
Recent research from Columbia University’s Community College Research Center shows a significant increase in dual enrollment participation. Between 2015 and 2021, enrollment rose by 46%, with an additional 18% increase from 2021 to 2023. These figures highlight a growing recognition that enrollment serves not just as a fast track to college credits, but also as a pathway to greater access to and success in higher education.
Students enrolled in these programs report higher levels of confidence, better academic preparation, and enhanced persistence in college. 81% of students who participated in dual enrollment courses in 2015 went on to enroll in college the following year, and 42% of them completed their degree within four years.
For colleges: Understanding this trend helps you identify students who are already on the path to college and tailor your messaging accordingly when reaching out via your email list.
Why Dual Enrollment Matters to Colleges
Colleges benefit significantly from dual enrollment programs. These students arrive better prepared, more likely to persist, and often already familiar with college-level expectations. But most importantly, these programs introduce students, particularly first-generation and underserved students, to the possibility of higher education.
By staying connected with school counselors and supporting their dual enrollment initiatives, colleges can help expand access and create stronger recruitment pipelines.
Access Gaps: Who Gets Left Behind?
Despite the momentum, the dual enrollment landscape remains uneven. Students from low-income backgrounds and communities of color continue to face significant barriers:
- Cost and eligibility requirements: In many states, students must pay to participate in or pass standardized tests to qualify
- Lack of qualified teachers: Many schools don’t have instructors with the required graduate-level credentials to teach college-level courses
- Outdated perceptions: Some students assume dual enrollment is only for “honors” or wealthy students and never explore it as an option
- Limited counselor capacity: School counselors (who are critical to promoting these programs) often have overwhelming caseloads that prevent them from effectively advising students
For colleges: These access gaps represent missed opportunities to connect with potential students. By using your email lists to distribute inclusive resources, explain financial aid options, and share success stories, you can help close these gaps.
Collaborating with K–12 to Expand Access
Some higher education institutions are working directly with K–12 systems to remove barriers. At Radford University, for instance, a teacher certification program is helping instructors in rural and underserved districts become qualified to teach dual enrollment classes.
This initiative includes:
- Online, flexible graduate-level coursework
- Hands-on teaching kits for science classes
- Collaboration with local principals to target in-demand subjects like biology, math, and English
For colleges looking to support school counselors: Highlight or replicate these types of initiatives in your outreach. Sharing program models, training support, or faculty partnerships in your counselor communications can help build trust and visibility.
Why Math Matters
Among all subjects, math is a standout in dual enrollment conversations. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, enrollment in dual enrollment math courses has more than doubled over the past 10 years.
Math is often a “gatekeeper” subject; one that can block student progress if not mastered early. Many students who delay taking math until college struggle due to learning loss or lack of preparation.
For colleges: Promoting early math readiness through dual enrollment improves long-term student outcomes and supports college retention. Consider providing sample syllabi, bridge programs, or summer prep courses to students who have already taken these math courses.
Messaging and Mindset: Counselors Are the Key
One of the biggest missed opportunities in dual enrollment is simple: students don’t know it exists. Counselors play a critical role in changing that narrative.
However, this can only happen if:
- Counselors have the time and training to promote it
- Messaging is accessible to all students, not just high achievers
- Colleges actively engage with counselors through tools like newsletters, webinars, or customized emails
Action step: Use your email list to share talking points, FAQs, and guidance counselors can use to advocate for dual enrollment with their students and families.
Reimagining Dual Enrollment as a College Access Strategy
Dual enrollment shouldn’t just be about acceleration; it should be about inclusion. Experts agree that embedding dual enrollment into default high school tracks, not just offering it to top performers, can dramatically shift college-going outcomes. Districts that introduce students to dual enrollment as early as middle school are seeing more students enroll and complete degrees.
For admissions and outreach teams: Align your strategies with this shift. View dual enrollment not just as a way to recruit strong students, but as a tool to serve those who might not otherwise consider higher education.
Want to Reach More Schools Supporting Dual Enrollment?
The future of dual enrollment is bright, but only if colleges, K–12 schools, and policymakers work together to ensure equitable access. For colleges using high school principal and counselor email lists to reach potential applicants, supporting these programs is more than a recruitment tactic; it’s a commitment to access, equity, and student success.
By staying informed, sharing helpful resources, and building relationships with counselors, your institution can play a central role in helping students see college as a real and reachable goal. If your college is looking to connect with the school counselors who are guiding students into dual enrollment and college-prep pathways, we can help.
Our up-to-date, verified high school principal and counselor email lists put you in direct contact with the educators who influence enrollment decisions every day, and the right list ensures your message reaches the right people at the right time. Start building relationships with counselors today and become a trusted partner in helping students access the benefits of higher education. Contact us today to learn more.