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.
Three flexible pathways to college credit
Compare your options.Saint Mary’s offers three rigorous, affordable options designed to help you succeed in earning college credit while still in high school: Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), which allows Minnesota students to take free college courses on campus or online, the Program for Advanced College Credit (PACC), which allows students at partner high schools to earn college credit for Saint Mary’s courses right on their high school campus, and Dual Credit Online for students living outside of Minnesota. |
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| Feature | PACC | PSEO | Dual Credit Online (8-week courses) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who It’s For | Eligible students at partner high schools | Eligible high school students who are residents of MN | Non-MN high school students |
| Where Courses Are Taken | At your high school | Online or on Saint Mary’s campus in Winona | Online only, asynchronous |
| Taught By | Your high school teachers (Saint Mary’s approved) | Saint Mary’s professors | Saint Mary’s professors |
| Cost | $100 per credit | Free (state-funded) | $440 per credit |
| Credit Type | Dual credit (high school + college) | Dual credit (high school + college) | Dual credit (high school + college) |
| Transferable? | Yes | 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