Dual enrollment through The University of Alabama Early College provides high school students with the opportunity to earn college credit at a reduced cost, making higher education more accessible. By taking these courses early, students can save on tuition and potentially graduate from college sooner, reducing overall expenses.
check markTuition Update
We are excited to announce that beginning in the Fall 2025 semester, The University of Alabama Early College will introduce a new dual enrollment tuition rate of $33 per credit hour. Additionally, our first course, UAEC 200 College Readiness, which is mandatory for all students before enrolling in full UA courses, will continue to be offered at no cost!
Your First Class is Free
UAEC 200: College Readiness is the first step in your UA Early College journey—and it’s offered at no cost to you. This 2 credit-hour course is required for all students and is designed to help you develop the skills, habits and confidence needed for college success. Whether you're learning time management, study strategies, or how to navigate college life, UAEC 200 sets the foundation and is entirely free.
Tuition Rate
Beginning in the Fall 2025 semester, Early College students will pay the University’s new Dual Enrollment tuition rate of $33 per credit hour. With this change taking effect, Early College’s former automatic tuition scholarships will be discontinued.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "credit hour"?
A credit hour is how colleges measure the amount of time you spend in a class each week during a semester. Most college courses are worth 3 credit hours, which means you’ll typically spend about three hours in class per week, plus additional time studying and completing assignments. On average, a Bachelor's degree requires 120 credit hours to complete. Most college courses are 3 credit hours long, but courses requiring additional instruction (like courses with labs, foreign languages, or writing courses) can be 4 credit hours long. The number of credit hours a course is worth also helps determine how much tuition you'll pay.
Is tuition different for out-of-state students?
No. The University's dual enrollment tuition rate of $33 per credit hour is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
Is there special tuition for students in Tuscaloosa?
While tuition is the same for all students, the City of Tuscaloosa's Elevate Dual Enrollment Scholarship allows students to take up to nine UA Early College courses after UAEC 200 at no cost. The Elevate Dual Enrollment Scholarship covers tuition, fees and textbooks for covered courses.
Is there discounted tuition for dependents of UA faculty and staff?
University of Alabama faculty/staff and their dependents are eligible for additional tuition benefits through the Educational Benefit. The Educational Benefit Form must be completed by the appropriate deadline outlined by Human Resources for the benefit to apply for the upcoming semester. The Educational Benefit lowers tuition to $16.50 per credit hour.
Are there any scholarships available to help cover tuition?
Students in select Alabama counties could be eligible for the William B. Mixon Family Scholarship or the Black Belt Scholarship through UA, which can cover tuition for one or multiple courses. Additional scholarship opportunities could be available to you outside of UA. We encourage you to check with your school or school district to see if they provide funding for dual credit courses.
Are there costs in addition to the tuition?
Sometimes. Costs in addition to tuition include textbooks and fees, which vary depending on the specific course.
Additional Information
Costs may not represent final determination of account balance. Rates are subject to change without prior notice. Tuition is approved by The University of Alabama Board of Trustees.
Dependents of National Alumni Association Members are also eligible for a $25 University Supply Store book scholarship (when enrolled in a class).
Questions? Email: earlycollege@ua.edu or call 205-348-7083