Dual Enrollment Savings Calculator Formula
Understand the math behind the dual enrollment savings calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.
Formulas Used
Net Savings
net_savings = university_total_cost - de_total_costCredits Earned
total_de_credits = total_creditsDual Enrollment Cost
de_cost = de_total_costEquivalent University Cost
univ_cost = university_total_costVariables
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
de_courses | Dual Enrollment Courses | 6 |
credits_per_course | Credits per Course | 3 |
de_cost_per_credit | Dual Enrollment Cost per Credit($) | 75 |
university_cost_per_credit | University Cost per Credit($) | 500 |
total_credits | Derived value= de_courses * credits_per_course | calculated |
de_total_cost | Derived value= total_credits * de_cost_per_credit | calculated |
university_total_cost | Derived value= total_credits * university_cost_per_credit | calculated |
How It Works
How Dual Enrollment Saves Money
Dual enrollment lets high school students take college courses at a fraction of the normal tuition, or sometimes for free.
Formula
Savings = (University Cost per Credit - DE Cost per Credit) x Total Credits
Beyond cost savings, dual enrollment gives students a head start, potentially graduating a semester or year early.
Worked Example
A student takes 6 dual enrollment courses (3 credits each) at $75/credit vs. $500/credit at their university.
de_courses = 6credits_per_course = 3de_cost_per_credit = 75university_cost_per_credit = 500
- 01Total credits: 6 x 3 = 18
- 02DE cost: 18 x $75 = $1,350
- 03University cost: 18 x $500 = $9,000
- 04Net savings: $9,000 - $1,350 = $7,650
Ready to run the numbers?
Open Dual Enrollment Savings Calculator