Dual enrollment participation is rising at Maricopa Community Colleges at a record-setting pace. During the 2024-25 academic year, the 10-college system had 27,912 high school students participate in dual enrollment courses—an all-time high for the system. This academic year, 25,847 students have already enrolled, putting Maricopa Community Colleges on track to serve the largest dual enrollment class in its history.
As Arizona's largest provider of dual enrollment, the record-setting numbers highlight Arizona high school students' willingness to get a head start on a college degree.
A Proven Pathway to College Success
Dual enrollment offers high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while completing their high school diploma, saving time, reducing costs, and empowering students in their ability to succeed in higher education. Research from the Helios Education Foundation underscores the impact of this approach: students who participate in dual enrollment are twice as likely to attend college, and once enrolled, are more likely to persist, earn higher GPAs, and complete postsecondary degrees.
"Dual enrollment is one of the most powerful tools we have to open doors to higher education," said Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Chancellor of Maricopa Community Colleges. "When students take college courses while still in high school, they gain confidence, earn credits early, and start to think of college as a natural next step in their academic journey."
Strength in Partnerships
The growth also reflects the significant collaboration with K–12 districts, industry leaders, and education partners across Arizona. Through partnerships with the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation and its ElevateEdAZ initiative, Maricopa Community Colleges has expanded access to high-quality dual enrollment instruction.
The partnership, supported by a $950,000 grant from the Helios Education Foundation, has led to new investments in teacher certification, helping more Arizona high school educators become qualified to teach dual enrollment courses.
Building Arizona's Workforce Through Dual Enrollment
Dual enrollment is not just about starting college early; it also serves as a critical strategy in highlighting in-demand programs that prepare students for the workforce. Many courses align with Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways that prepare students for rapidly growing industries, including healthcare, information technology, and advanced manufacturing.
"Dual enrollment is really about igniting potential and opportunity," said Valerie Jones, Maricopa Community Colleges Vice Chancellor of Workforce and Economic Development. "Every student who participates takes a step toward discovering a career they are passionate about that provides economic mobility and strengthens Arizona's economy."
A Statewide Leader in Educational Access
Each year, Maricopa Community Colleges serves more than 145,000 students, educating more Arizonans than any other college or university in the state. Dual enrollment is one of many pathways helping Arizona learners access affordable, flexible, and career-focused education close to home.
"By expanding access to dual enrollment, we are helping to build a college-going culture across Arizona," added Dr. Gonzales. "When students experience college success early, they are far more likely to see higher education as attainable, and that shift in mindset is transformative for students, families, and entire communities."