Can You Be Enrolled in Two Colleges at Once?

Key takeaways

Yes, you can enroll in two colleges at once. You can tailor how this looks depending on your institutions and degree goals. 

• For dual enrollment to work, students typically choose one "home" university and transfer credits from the other school.

• Taking classes at multiple colleges can open opportunities for more extracurricular activities, financial savings, and educational resources.

• You can be dually enrolled in a community college and a four-year college or university, or choose to enroll in two universities.

Learn how the process of enrolling in two colleges works, the benefits and drawbacks of dual college enrollment, and the factors to consider. 

Can you be enrolled in two colleges at once?

Yes, you can enroll in two colleges at once. Although the term "dual enrollment" is commonly used to describe enrolling in both high school and college classes, it also refers to enrolling in two distinct colleges or universities. 

What is dual enrollment, and how does it work?

Some students dually enroll in a community college and a four-year college or university, getting general education credits at the community college and their degree-related credits at the four-year institution. Other students need time to decide between two universities, so they take classes at both. For dual enrollment to work, students choose one "home" university from which to receive their degree and transfer all credits from the other school.

Can you take community college classes while in university?

While exact rules vary by institution, many universities allow you to attend community colleges while enrolled. You might choose this option for various reasons, including wanting to build foundational knowledge, make room in your university course schedule, or get back on track after switching majors.

Does every school allow dual college admission?

Only some colleges or universities allow students to take classes at other schools while attending theirs. Call its admissions or registrar's office to find out if a school allows dual college admission.

What are the pros and cons of dual enrollment?

Before you decide to attend two colleges at once, it helps to know about the pros and cons of this arrangement. Some advantages of dual enrollment include:

• Greater class options: By attending two different schools, you'll have a larger pool of classes. A better selection of classes may benefit students who have yet to declare a major. 

• More benefits and educational resources: When you attend two colleges at once, you enjoy the benefits and educational resources of both, such as advisors, peer tutoring, libraries, bookstores, cafeterias, gyms, athletic events, and other on-campus activities.

• Financial savings: Taking general education classes at a community college typically offers a significant tuition reduction compared to a four-year college or university.

Some drawbacks of dual enrollment include:

• Time management: Depending on your situation, you may need help managing your time with dual enrollment, especially if you attend in-person classes at both schools or work part-time.

• Scheduling problems: Some schools have differing academic calendars, which can create problems with class attendance and deadlines. 

• Less continuity: If you take classes in a series (for example, Algebra I and Algebra II) at different schools, you may either miss out on necessary learning or find that the courses overlap.

How to do dual enrollment

To enroll in two colleges simultaneously, follow these steps:

Step one: Check with both institutions to see if they allow dual enrollment. Some schools already have articulation agreements set up with neighboring colleges or universities. Sanctioned by both schools, this agreement highlights a plan for transferring credits from one institution to another and helps reduce future transfer-related conflicts. This may be your easiest path in enrolling in two colleges at once.

Step two: Fill out additional paperwork like admission and financial aid forms. Some schools require you to be officially accepted at both institutions before proceeding. If you intend to apply for financial aid, research if dual enrollment may affect the amounts you receive. Government regulations in the United States only allow students to receive federal financial aid from one school. However, signing a consortium agreement allows a learner to receive federal aid for the combined total credits at two schools. 

Step three: Meet with your advisors from both institutions to help plan your class schedule and register for classes.

Read more: How to Apply to College: Your Step-by-Step Guide 

Important considerations to keep in mind when attending two colleges

To have a successful experience attending two colleges, it may help to keep some important considerations in mind. Remember to:

• Ask your home college or university about their policy on credit transfer. Some schools allow you to transfer credits but not grades for classes taken in community college, which means transferring these credits neither increases nor decreases your GPA.

• If you're attending class in person, schedule classes at each school on differing days (e.g., Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at one school and Tuesday and Thursday at the other). This allows for more focus and better time management.

• Double-check how the credits from your classes apply to the degree you'll get at your home school. Similar courses at one school may unexpectedly qualify for a different major at another.

Examples of colleges and universities that allow dual enrollment

Knowing about a few colleges and universities that allow dual enrollment may help you decide if this educational arrangement works for you. Some examples of schools include:

• Purdue University Northwest (PNW): If you attend PNW, you can get some education requirements out of the way at Ivy Tech Community College. As a PNW student from the beginning, you would enjoy all the resources and benefits that both schools offer. 

• The University of Oregon (UO): The University of Oregon has partnered with nearby Lane Community College (LCC) to allow dual enrollment at both institutions. For up to 89 credits earned, you would receive financial aid through LCC. You will receive financial aid through UO when you reach 90 credits and above. If you take at least 12 credits per semester, you can live on the UO campus.

• Webster University: This St. Louis institution partners with various community colleges in the region for dual enrollment, including Jefferson College, Lewis & Clark Community College, St. Louis Community College, and Southwestern Illinois College.

• The University of Washington (UW): If you attend UW, you can take classes at any other college or university if UW becomes your home school and you take most of your required minimum credits (or seven of the 12-credit minimum) at UW.

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