Ozarks Technical Community College saw a 38% year-over-year increase in dual credit enrollments in the fall of 2022. Dual credit courses are high school classes that count for college credit because they meet OTC’s learning objectives and standards.
OTC’s increase in dual credit students reflects a national trend. While community college enrollment overall has declined nationally since 2010, dual credit student enrollment at community colleges has increased steadily during that time, according to the American Association of Community Colleges.
High School students who complete dual credit courses with OTC save money. OTC dual credit courses cost $165 for a three-hour class compared to $480 for the same course once the student is enrolled at OTC as a college student.
About 33% of OTC dual credit students enroll at the college for post-secondary studies, while others transfer their OTC credits to four-year colleges and universities. Nationally, 88% of students who complete dual credit courses go on to enroll in college, according to a study by the Community College Student Research Center.
Scholarship opportunities exist for dual credit students. The OTC Foundation offers scholarships that cover the cost of tuition for dual credit students. Beginning with the 2022-23 school year, the Missouri Department of Higher Education provided scholarships for dual credit students.
To learn more about dual credit courses at OTC, visit the OTC Dual Credit website.