North Carolina’s Career and College Promise (CCP) program hit an all-time high in 2024-25, with about 87,000 participants and 38% of graduates enrolling in at least one college course.

Early colleges, now 138 across the state, let students earn college credit while still in high school, a particularly meaningful path for first-generation college students.

CCP pathways enable high school students to pursue college transfer, career and technical education, or other college-level coursework, expanding options beyond traditional high school curricula.

State Superintendent Mo Green attributes the trend to potential tuition savings and broader post-graduation opportunities for students.

Reporting context: James Farrell is the education reporter for WFAE, bringing background across various education beats.

Students report that CCP and early college experiences help them prepare for higher education, adapt to college expectations, and reduce time or debt to degree.

Data presented to the State Board of Education for the Class of 2025 show ongoing efforts to boost postsecondary preparation and economic mobility.

Despite positive outcomes, ongoing funding and equitable access remain challenges to address.

Officials stress high-quality instruction and strong partnerships with higher education as essential to expanding access to college coursework, with clear benefits for first-generation students and mobility.

Green notes these advances bring students who might not have seen themselves as college material into classrooms to earn credits.

Officials frame CCP and related initiatives as part of improving overall NC public school performance and expect continued expansion of college coursework access for high school students.

The state plans ongoing expansion of access to college-level courses and industry-recognized credentials through higher-ed partnerships to ensure graduates are well-prepared for next steps.