DE vs. AP vs. IB vs. AICE: Which Program is Right for You?
Wanting to take advanced courses, earn college credits before graduating high school, and save money? Then Dual Enrollment, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education may be for you! With so many options, it is often difficult to know which program to choose. This article will discuss the similarities and differences between the four programs so you can make the best choice for yourself (or your student). Let’s first define what each program is.
Dual Enrollment (DE) – secondary students earning college and vocational credit through a local community/state college or university
Advanced Placement (AP) – an accelerated program created by College Board
International Baccalaureate (IB) – an internationally recognized accelerated program
Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) – an internationally recognized accelerated program that’s part of the University of Cambridge
Similarities
College Credit. DE, AP, IB, and AICE are all rigorous programs that can earn students college credit.
Transferability. All Florida public postsecondary institutions are required to accept credits if offering the equivalent course.
GPA Weighting. DE, AP, IB, and AICE courses are all weighted one full point for the weighted GPA. This means an A in any of these courses is a 5.0.
Costs. Textbooks (unless otherwise stated), tuition, and exam fees are all covered by the state for each program for public school students.
Differences
Requirements. To participate in Dual Enrollment, students need to have a high school 3.0 unweighted GPA and pass appropriate sections of a college placement test. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education do not have a GPA or placement test requirement.
Offerings. Dual Enrollment is offered in all 67 school districts throughout the state. Advanced Placement is offered in only 63 school districts, International Baccalaureate in only 30 districts, and Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education in only 16 districts.
Curriculum. Dual Enrollment courses are all taught at the college level. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education courses are considered “advanced high school level” aligned with standards set by College Board, International Baccalaureate, or Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education.
Transcripts and GPA. Dual Enrollment courses are a permanent part of the college transcript. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education courses only earn college credit if the student passes the exam. DE courses also start the college GPA, and AP, IB, and AICE courses do not impact the college GPA.
Courses. There are more course options through Dual Enrollment. Advanced Placement currently offers 38 subjects and exams. International Baccalaureate and Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education programs both have a set curriculum with limited flexibility.
Instructors. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education instructors are public school teachers with specialized training in their respective programs. Dual Enrollment instructors are college/university faculty requiring them to hold a master’s degree with 18 graduate credit hours in the subject field they teach.
Data. 94% of DE students earned postsecondary credit in 2009-2010.
41% of AP students earned postsecondary credit in 2009-2010.
81% of IB students earned postsecondary credit in 2009-2010.
59% of AICE students earned postsecondary credit in 2009-2010.
Research shows 64 percent of former dual enrollment students completed a college degree one full year sooner than their peers who were not dually enrolled.
Key Takeaways
Dual Enrollment, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education all have immense benefits. There are many similarities and differences between the four programs. I encourage you to do more research; this article just scratched the surface.
If your goal is to go to a four-year university after high school, then ask the admissions team which program they prefer. If you already know the college major you are interested in, check the curriculum for any prerequisites you might need.
You can also explore how the school you hope to attend would evaluate the credit you could earn through exams like AP, IB, and AICE. At Eastern Florida State College, the Registrar’s Office handles those credit-by-exam evaluations.
You may want to take a combination of classes if your school offers multiple programs. Maybe you have space in your schedule to take a Dual Enrollment class over the summer. Talk with your friends and relatives to gain their perspectives. Chat with your School Counselor about which program aligns with your future goals. Consider scholarship requirements, like Bright Futures, and Florida PrePaid. If taking Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education, check which credits you will receive based on your exam score. Example:
| Description | Score = 3 | Score = 4 | Score = 5 |
| AP Exam | EFSC Course(s) | EFSC Course(s) | EFSC Course(s) |
| Biology | BSCC 1005 | BSCC 1010 | BSCC 1010 & BSCC 1011 |
- Preparing for College in Middle School - August 23, 2023
- DE vs. AP vs. IB vs. AICE: Which Program is Right for You? - March 8, 2023
