Bowling Green State University remains one of the top public universities in Ohio and the region offering high school students the opportunity to earn college credit before graduation through the College Credit Plus program, accelerating their pathway to a college degree.

According to the 2024-2025 CCP annual report, BGSU ranks second among Ohio's four-year public universities in the number of CCP credits earned.

More than 3,000 students took more than 9,000 courses at both BGSU and BGSU Firelands, the University's regional campus in Huron, Ohio, resulting in nearly 27,000 earned credits.

Earning college credits allows high school students to familiarize themselves with the rigor of college classes while also saving time and money on a future college education. Some students graduate with a bachelor's degree in as few as three years as a result of the jumpstart the CCP courses provided.

Even more impressive than the sheer number of students taking CCP courses is the 97% completion average between both campuses.

"It's exciting to not only see so many students take advantage of early access to college courses at BGSU, but also to see them succeed in their courses," said Kelli Schneider, associate director of College Credit Plus at BGSU. "Early access to college courses is only beneficial if students successfully complete and meet the learning outcomes of the courses, and this level of success shows that CCP students are overwhelmingly ready for the rigor of college courses."

Between its two campuses, BGSU partners with more than 30 area high schools to offer courses taught on-site by credentialed high school instructors. Students can also choose to take online courses or come to campus to take courses alongside college students taught by BGSU faculty.

"Every year we see more and more students participating in the CCP program at BGSU," Schneider said. "Often this is their first interaction with BGSU, and we are committed to providing the best experience to students as they begin their college careers."

While 12th graders make up the largest group of CCP students in Ohio, BGSU saw a 5% increase in participation from 9th and 10th-grade students compared to the previous year. Many of these students are taking advantage of "Level 1" courses, including writing, psychology, sociology, history, statistics and biology.

The state of Ohio requires CCP students to take specific courses, called Level 1 courses, in their first 15 credit hours of the CCP program. BGSU is uniquely positioned, offering more than 400 Level 1 course options.

As a public Ohio university, BGSU ensures CCP students succeed, even if they choose to attend a different university after graduating from high school, through its numerous transfer initiatives.

"It is often not a question of whether the courses will transfer, but rather how the courses will fit into their intended major," Schneider said.

To differentiate itself from other CCP options, BGSU has launched Career Pathways, helping high school students identify the general education and introductory classes required for BGSU majors or programs within their desired career paths. 

"Career Pathways is a great resource for BGSU CCP students and prospective undergraduates who complete their CCP credits at other institutions," Schneider said. "Students can choose from business, education, engineering, nursing, pre-medicine and physical/occupational therapy pathways.

"We even offer an Exploring Pathway to help guide course selection for students who are still exploring their major options."

Additionally, Schneider said BGSU plans to add more career pathways in the future to help guide even more students.

During the 2024-2025 academic year, more than 80,000 Ohio students participated in College Credit Plus. As a state-funded program available to any Ohio resident in grades 7-12, more and more students are shortening their timelines to college graduation and being intentional with their course selections. Students who choose not to graduate early find that CCP offers greater flexibility and more opportunities to engage in experiential learning, such as internships and study abroad. 

To learn more about CCP options through Bowling Green State University and the Firelands campus, visit www.bgsu.edu/ccp. 

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