Start earning college credit in high school — public or private
High school juniors and seniors can get a head start on college through Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Whether you attend a public or private high school, you can take actual college courses, earn dual credit, and accelerate your academic journey — before you even graduate.
Two flexible pathways to college credit
Compare your options.Saint Mary’s offers two options for earning college credit in high school and both are rigorous, affordable, and designed to help you succeed: Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), which allows you to take college courses on campus or online, and the Program for Advanced College Credit (PACC), which lets you earn credit right at your high school through approved courses. |
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| Feature | PACC | PSEO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who It’s For | MN residents who are students at a partner high school | Public and private high school students in MN | |
| Where Courses Are Taken | At your high school | Online or on Saint Mary’s campus in Winona | |
| Taught By | Your high school teachers (Saint Mary’s approved) | Saint Mary’s professors | |
| Cost | $100 per credit (plus books) | Free (state-funded) | |
| Credit Type | Dual credit (high school + college) | Dual credit (high school + college) | |
| Transferable? | Yes | Yes | |
Take the first step toward earning college credit.
Start strong. Stay strong with Saint Mary’s.
We’re a welcoming university where your journey can continue after high school. Many students who start with us in high school choose to finish with us, too.
- Small class sizes and personal attention
- Academics rooted in Lasallian Catholic values
- Vibrant campus life in Winona, Minnesota
- PSEO and PACC students who continue at Saint Mary’s for their bachelor’s degree are eligible for a $1,000 annual scholarship — renewable for up to four years