Grade Point Average Differences between Dual and Nondual Credit College Students

Students who earned dual enrollment credit in high school had higher grade point averages (GPAs) in their first and final terms at a Texas community college compared with students who did not have dual credit. Five statistically significant differences, though with small effect sizes, appeared by gender and ethnicity. Dual enrollment did not significantly affect GPAs for Asian students or for students after two years at the college. This is the first known comparison of first-semester and end-of-second-year GPAs between dual credit and nondual credit students.

Study at a glance

Abstract

We examined the first and final term grade point averages (GPA) for a class of students at a Texas community college to determine how dual enrollment credit influenced GPA. Five statistically significant differences, albeit small effect sizes, were present by gender and by ethnic membership. Dual credit students had higher GPAs than did nondual credit students. Interestingly, dual enrollment did not have a statistically significant influence on GPAs for Asian students or for students after two years at this community college. As such, this study is the first research investigation of which we are aware in which student GPA in the first college semester and at the end of the second year was compared between dual credit and nondual credit students. Implications of our findings and suggestions for future research are provided.