CTE Dual Credit Common Questions

CTE Dual Credit allows students to earn college credit based on their performance in high school classes. Unlike college credit earned through other dual credit programs, these credits apply directly towards work ready programs available at the two- and four-year colleges they are aligned with. 

Work ready programs prepare students to enter the workforce. Depending on the career path, students may

• be ready to begin working directly after high school
• enter an skilled apprenticeship program
• be a few classes away from completing a certification program
• choose to continue in higher education with an applied science associate, bachelor, or transfer degree

Claimed credits are transferrable to any Washington State public two- or four-year college. They may not be as transferrable to universities. As with all college credits, whether credits are transferrable and how they are applied is up to the college receiving credit. 

There is no "right" answer to which college is best. You may wish to speak to your teacher, school counselor, or career and college specialist about your future goals. Some things you may want to consider:

• Does one college offer a program you are interested in?
• Do you already have credit at one of the colleges?
• Are you taking, or plan to take, classes with credit at any of your options?
• Do you hope to remain at home or move when you finish high school?

YES! From the time that you enter high school through the end of your formal education, you will have a transcript showing what classes you've taken as well as grade and credit earned. In High School, each district you attend will generate a transcript. In college and university, each institution you attend will generate a transcript.

Each college is a little different. Generally speaking, either:

• the college will record your high school course grade for the college course. When more than one high school course is required, an average of your grades from those classes will be used.
• CR (or similar) will be recorded as credit bearing, but no effect to the college's GPA will be reported. Transferred college credits appear similarly. 

CTE Dual Credit appears on your college transcript the exact same way any other college credit appears. While these credits must apply to a professional certificate or degree, they are not limited to a professional certificate, degree, or specific program. Many qualify for multiple certificate, applied associate, applied bachelor, and transfer agreement programs. 

Credits earned through CTE Dual Credit may be transferred to any Washington State public two- or four-year college or trade school. Credits are generally not as transferrable to universities and private institutions. 

Claiming the college credit you earn is free. A couple of colleges have small annual administrative fees, generally able to be waived in case of financial hardship. Colleges, universities, and Renton School District (a year after graduation) all charge a small fee for official transcripts, which are required to transfer credits from one college to another.

Participating in dual credit programs:

• builds confidence
• looks good on your resume and applications
• helps explore subjects you want to learn more about, and sometimes those you don't
• provides support through processes you will otherwise be working through alone, like setting up accounts and requesting transcripts 
• establishes you as a continuing student at college, giving you earlier access to registration...getting those hard to grab classes

Every college credit, even electives, save time and money after high school. Saving money on tuition alone adds up quick.

¹Bellevue College Tuition
²UW Undergrad Tuition Dashboard 

Estimated quarterly cost is based on a typical 15 credit load.
¹Bellevue College Cost of Attendance uses cost of living for 2023-2024.
²UW Cost of Attendance uses tuition for 2025-2026 and cost of living for 2024-2025.