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College Board

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AP Program

Connecting students to college success

In today's information-based economy, a college education is a necessity, not a luxury. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, median annual earnings for college graduates are about 60 percent higher than those of workers who have only a high school diploma. Over a lifetime, the gap in earnings between the two groups can exceed $1 million.

A study from the U.S. Department of Education found that of the students who entered college in 1995:

  • Only one-half (53 percent) had attained a bachelor's degree after six years.
  • About one-fourth (23 percent) had not attained any degree and were no longer enrolled after six years.

As schools send the next generation of students off to college, they need to ask themselves—is the end goal of college admission enough? What can be done to provide your students with the tools they need to succeed in college?

AP can help

The AP Program is a collaboration between motivated students, dedicated teachers, and committed high schools, colleges, and universities. Since 1955, the AP Program has enabled millions of students to take college-level courses and exams, and to earn college credit or placement while still in high school.

Learn more about the AP Program by following these links:

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HIGHLIGHT

Visit the AP Course Ledger to gain access to the detailed results of the AP Course Audit. To find authorized AP Courses, you can search the database by subject, school, high school code, state, and country.

Fast Facts about AP

  • Sixty-six percent of U.S. high schools currently participate in the AP Program.
  • The AP Program offers 37 courses and exams.
  • The AP Exam fee is $84. The College Board provides a $22 fee reduction for qualifying low-income students. Most states use federal and/or state funds to cover part or all of the remaining exam fee for low-income students.
  • More than 90 percent of four-year U.S. colleges and universities grant credit or placement for qualifying AP Exam grades.

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