After seeing that, you can get an economics degree from UIUC with one year of actual coursework. I now want to see how well the top colleges will handle any AP exam you take.
#1 M.I.T.
- Calculus BC: 5: 18.01
- Physics C – Mechanics & Physics C – Electricity & Magnetism: 5: 8.01
- AP Seminar & AP Research: 5: 9 hours of unrestricted elective credit
- A score of 5 on all AP exams listed in the College Board’s categories of Arts, English, History & Social Sciences, and World Languages & Cultures earn 9 units each of unrestricted elective credit. (Environmental Science & Statistics excluded)
There is no credit limit, and some majors require 48 units of unrestricted electives. This means that if you get 7 5s, you can put them to good use. But if you score less than 5, you get no credit.
#2 Harvard University
According to the College Board, Harvard does offer credit for a number of AP exams if you get a 5. However, many users suggest that they don’t accept the scores as credit, but they can be used to place you into a higher-level class.
#3 Stanford University
- 5 on any language exam gets you 10 credit hours (4 fulfills university language requirement, but no credit)
- 4+ on a Physics C exam gives you 4 hours of credit
- If you take both Physics 1 and 2, you can get credit, but it would overlap if you scored well on Physics C exams.
- Calculus AB: 5: 6 Units
- Calculus BC: 4: 6 Units, 5: 10 Units
- 5 on both economics exams gives you credit for an ECON course but no hours
- 4+ on Computer Science A or Computer Science Principles gives 5 hours, but only one can be accepted
- Chemistry: 5: 10 Units
#4 Princeton University
Princeton is similar to Harvard. Doing well on a few of these exams will allow you to place into higher courses, but you likely will not be able to graduate early with the credits.
- 5s in German or Spanish will earn you 2 AP Unit
- 1 AP Unit can be earned by a 4+ in European History, U.S. History, or World History (no credit for more than one)
- Calculus BC: 5: 1 AP Unit
- Biology: 5: 2 AP Unit
- Chemistry: 5: 1 AP Unit
- Microeconomics: 5: 1 AP Unit
- Macroeconomics: 5: 1 AP Unit
#5 Yale University
- English Literature or English Language: 5: 1 Acceleration Credit
- Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish: 5: 2 Acceleration Credits
- Italian: 5: 1 Acceleration Credit
- Art History: 5: 1 Acceleration Credit
- Calculus BC: 5: 2 Acceleration Credit
- Calculus BC or 5 on Calculus AB: 4: 1 Acceleration Credit
- AP Music Theory: 5: 1 Acceleration Credit
- 1 credit for 5 on either the AP Physics C test, with 5 on the AP Calculus AB test, or 4 or 5 on the Calculus BC test., 2 credits for 5 on both parts of the Physics C test with the requisite score on the Calculus AB or BC test.
Yale is similar to Princeton and Harvard; expect to attend at least four years.
#6 University of Pennsylvania
- Art History: 5: ARTH 1010 or ARTH 1020
- Computer Science A: 5: CIS 1100
- Microeconomics: 5: ECON 0100
- Macroeconomics: 5: ECON 0200
- 4 on a foreign language fulfills the foreign language requirement. 5 gives you one credit.
- Calculus BC: 5: MATH 1300
- Physics 1: 5: PHYS 0101
- Physics 2: 5: PHYS 0102
- Physics-C (Mechanics): 5: PHYS 0150
- Physics-C (Electricity and Magnetism): 5: PHYS 0151
- Psychology: 5: PSYC 0001
- Statistics: 5: STAT 1010
This is a fascinating collection of credits. You will not gain significant hours, but if things line up properly for your major, you may be able to save a semester. Still, 5s are required.
#7 Columbia University
We have reached the first school that accepts 4s and 5s for multiple AP exams. You should review their site for specific details. While there are many opportunities for advanced placement and credit, some exams do not offer course exemptions and can only be used for elective credit.
#8 California Institute of Technology
“Caltech is hard” – CalTech.
A score of 5 on the following examinations and certificates can substitute for the course requirements of calculus, chemistry, and/or physics:
- Calculus AB
- Calculus BC
- Chemistry
- Physics 1
- Physics 2
- Physics C
#9 Cornell University
Cornell has very specific criteria for AP credits based on major and exam taken. However, they do accept a fair number of exams and some fours.
#10 Johns Hopkins University
- Biology: 5: 6 Credits: AS.020.151 & AS.020.1521
- Chemistry: 5: 8 Credits: AS.030.101 & AS.030.102 and labs AS.030.105-AS.030.1062
- Chemistry: 4: 4 Credits: AS.030.101 and lab AS.030.1052
- Environmental Science: 4+: 4 Credits: TR.270.100
- Computer Science A: 5: 3 Credits: EN.500.1123
- Macroeconomics: 5: 3 Credits: AS.180.1014
- Microeconomics: 5: 3 Credits: AS.180.1025
- Calculus AB: 5: 4 Credits: AS.110.1086
- Calculus BC: 3-4: 4 Credits: AS.110.1086
- Calculus BC: 5: 8 Credits: AS.110.108 & AS.110.1096
- Physics C Mechanics: 5: 4 Credits: AS.171.1017
- Physics C Electricity and Magnetism: 5: 4 Credits: AS.171.1027
- Statistics: 4+: 4 Credits: EN.553.111
#11 University of Chicago
The University of Chicago requires that 3800 of 4200 units be taken at the university. It also has numerous placement tests for Math, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, and Language. Therefore, you don’t get much benefit from taking AP exams, but you do get more than some of the higher-ranked schools.
- Biology: 4+: BIOS 10130
- Physics C: Mechanics: 5: PHYS 12100
- Physics C: E&M: 5: PHYS 12200
- Statistics: 5: STAT 22000
- A 5 on any language exam fulfills your language competency but gives no credit.
- A 5 on any of the following exams earns you 100 units of general elective credit: Art History, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, English Language, English Literature, Government and Politics: Comparative, Government and Politics: U.S., European History, Studio Design, U.S. History, World History.
#12 Northwestern University
Northwestern is the first school on this list to offer substantial credits that transfer directly to courses. However, you still need a 5 for most of them.
- African American Studies: 5: 1 unit: BLK_ST 2XX
- Art History: 5: 1 unit: ART_HIST 2XX
- Art: Drawing, Art: 2-D Art and Design, Art: 3-D Art and Design: 5: 1 unit: ART 2XX
- Biology: 5: 1 unit: BIOL_SCI 1XX
- Chemistry: 4: 1 unit: CHEM 1X0
- Chemistry: 5: 3.68 units: CHEM 1X0, 1X1, 1X2, and lab courses 11X, 12X
- Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Spanish: 4: 1 unit: _Language_ 1LN
- Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Spanish: 5: 2 units: _Language_ 1LN
- Computer Science A: 4, 5: 1 unit: COMP_SCI 150-0
- Computer Science Principles: 4, 5: 1 unit: COMP_SCI 1XX
- Macroeconomics: 5: 1 unit: ECON 201-0
- Microeconomics: 5: 1 unit: ECON 202-0
- English: Language and Composition: 5: 2 units: ENGLISH 1LC
- English: Literature and Composition: 5: 2 units: ENGLISH 1LT
- Environmental Science: 5: 1 unit: ENVR_SCI 1XX
- Geography: Human: 5: 1 unit: GEOG 1XX
- Government and Politics: United States or Comparative: 5: 1 unit: POLI_SCI 2XX
- History: European: 5: 2 units: HISTORY 2EU
- History: United States: 5: 2 units: HISTORY 2US
- History: World: 5: 2 units: HISTORY 2WL
- Mathematics: Calculus AB: 4: 1 unit (MATH 220-1)
- Mathematics: Calculus AB: 5: 2 units (MATH 220-1,2)
- Mathematics: Calculus BC: 4: 2 units: MATH 220-1,2
- Mathematics: Calculus BC: 5: 3 units: MATH 220-1,2 & Math 226-0
- Music Theory: 5: 1 unit: GEN_MUS 252-0
- Physics 1: 5: 1.34 units: PHYSICS 130-1 and lab course 13X-1
- Physics 2: 5: 1.34 units: PHYSICS 130-2 and lab course 13X-2
- Physics C: Mechanics: 5: 1.34 units: PHYSICS 135-1 and lab course 136-1
- Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism: 5: 1.34 units: PHYSICS 135-2 and lab course 136-2
- Psychology: 5: 1 unit: PSYCH 110-0
- Statistics: 4, 5: 1 unit: STAT 210-0
#13 University of California – Berkeley
The first school on the list to accept scores of three! If you are taking AP classes and looking to attend a UC school, you should take the exams.
The California University system is very accepting of AP exams, and you should review their site for the complete list, as acceptance varies by college within the university. Although they accept lower scores to fulfill requirements, you may not get a ton of elective credit by taking non-required courses.
#14 Duke University
- African American Studies: 4+: AAAS 20
- Arts: Art History: 5: ARTHIST 20
- 2-D Art, 3-D Art, or Drawing5: ARTSVIS 21
- Biology: 4: BIOLOGY 20, 5: BIOLOGY 21
- Chemistry: 4: CHEM 20, 5: CHEM 21
- Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Spanish: 4+: LANG 2__
- Computer Science A: 4+: COMPSCI 101L
- Computer Science Principles: 5: COMPSCI 20
- English Language and Composition: 4+: ENGLISH 22
- English Literature and Composition: 4+: ENGLISH 20
- Environmental Science: 4+: ENVIRON 20: ENVIRON 201
- French Language and Culture: 5: FRENCH 204
- History: European History: 4+: HISTORY 25 & 26
- History: United States History: 4+: HISTORY 23 & 24
- History: World History: 4+: HISTORY 21
- Math: Calculus AB: 5: Math 21
- Math: Calculus BC: 4: MATH 21, Math: Calculus BC: 5: MATH 21 & 22
- Music Theory: 4+: MUSIC 161-1
- Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism: 4+: PHYSICS 26
- Physics C: Mechanics: 4+: PHYSICS 25
- Political Science: Comparative Government and Politics: 4+: POLSCI 21
- Political Science: United States Government and Politics: 4+: POLSCI 20
- Psychology: 5: PSY 11
- Statistics: 5: STA 20
Human Geography, Physics 1&2, Macroeconomics, and Microeconomics are not accepted.
#15 University of California – Los Angeles
It is very similar to UC Berkeley. It accepts scores of at least three and is even more accepting of courses as general credit. See The College as an example. This is clearly the best opportunity for receiving a prestigious degree in less time than most of the top private schools.
#16 University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Use the College of Literature, Science & the Arts as your baseline; there can be slight variations if you are attending a different college. I have listed the LSA accepting list below, with credit hours in parentheses.
- Biology: 3: Biology 100 (4), 4+: Biology 195 (5)
- Chemistry: 3+: CHEM 130 (3) & CHEM 125(1)/126(1)
- Computer Science A: 5: EECS 180 (4)
- Computer Science Principles: 4+: EECS 101x (4)
- Microeconomics or Macroeconomics: 4+: Economics Department credit (2)
- English Language or Literature: 4+: English Department credit 101x* (3)
- Environmental Science: 4+: EARTH 219 (3) & EARTH 218 (1)
- French: 4+: French 232 (4)
- Human Geography: 4+: Geography Department (3)
- German: 3-4: German 231 (4), 5: German 232 (4)
- Art History: 4+: HISTART 201x (3)
- American, European or World History: 4+: 100 level History (4)
- Italian: 4+: Italian 232 (4)
- Latin: 4+: 200 level Latin (4)
- Calculus AB: 5: Mathematics 120 (2)
- Calculus BC: 4: Mathematics 120 (2), 5: Mathematics 120 (2) & Mathematics 121 (2)
- Physics 1&2: 5 on both: Physics 125 (4), 127 (1), 126 (4), 128 (1)
- Physics C: Mechanics: 5: Physics 139 (5)
- Physics C: E&M: Physics 239 (5)
- U.S. Government & Politics: 3+: Political Science 111
- Comparative Government & Politics: 3+: Political Science 140
- Psychology: 4+: Psychology 111 (4)
- Spanish: 4+ Spanish 232 (4)
- Statistics: 4+: Stats 180 (3)
#17 Brown University
“Advanced Placement exam scores are not eligible for course credit at Brown, but students may use certain AP scores for placement to enroll in higher-level courses and/or to satisfy concentration requirements.”
You can look through the college board to figure out what AP exams might be worth taking if you want to avoid a placement test or skip a class that will be required.
#18 Vanderbilt University
Here is how Vanderbilt sees AP exams:
- Help determine your placement in courses like calculus and foreign language.
- Satisfy the foreign language proficiency and Basic Composition (English 1100) requirements in AXLE.
- Count toward majors and minors—check with the department of your intended major and/or minor: AP/IB credit policies vary by department.
- Count toward the 120 hours you need to graduate, with limits. From the Undergraduate Catalog: “Students of the College of Arts and Science are limited to a total of 18 credit hours earned by any combination of advanced placement, international baccalaureate credit, advanced international credit, and credit by departmental examination, counting toward the minimum number of hours required toward the degree.”
However, they cannot be counted as core (AXLE) classes. Therefore, you may get some value from AP exams, but most likely not more than a semester.
#19 Washington University in St. Louis
“A maximum of 15 units of pre-matriculation credit may be counted toward any undergraduate degree. These units will count toward graduation but will not meet general education requirements.”
You should review WashU’s site for specific classes but don’t expect to save more than a semester of coursework.
#20 University of California – San Diego
Our third UC school accepts many scores, including 3s, based on the specific college you are attending for the appropriate “exemption.”
#21 Dartmouth College
Dartmouth is more closely aligned with its Ivy League members and offers fewer credits for tests, but it does accept scores of four or more.
- Calculus AB: 4+: Math 3
- Calculus BC: 4+: Math 3 & Math 8
- Chemistry: 4+: Chemistry 5
- Computer Science A: 4+: Computer Science 1
- Microeconomics: 5: Economics 1
- Environmental Science: 4+: Environmental Studies 2
- French: French 2 (4), French 3 (5)
- German: German 1&2 (4), German 1&2&3 (5)
- Italian: Italian 2 (4) & Italian 3 (5)
- Latin: 4+: Latin 3
- Physics C: Mechanics: 4+: Physics 3
- Physics C: E&M: 4+: Physics 4
- Spanish: 4+: Spanish 3
- Statistics: 4+: Math 10
#22 Carnegie Mellon University
CMU has a good balance between accepting many tests and still requiring a 5 on most but a 4 on some. There’s also no max, and strong performance could save you multiple semesters.
- 2-D Art and Design: 4+: 9
- 3-D Art and Design: 4+: 9
- African American Studies: 5: 9
- Art History: 5: 9
- Biology: 4+: 9
- Calculus AB (sub score): 4+: 10
- Calculus BC: 5: 20
- Capstone Seminar + Capstone Research: 4&5: 9
- Capstone Seminar + Capstone Research: 5&5: 18
- Chemistry: 5: 10
- Chinese Language & Culture: 4+: 12
- Computer Science A: 4: 10
- Computer Science A: 5: 12
- Computer Science Principles: 4+: 10
- Drawing: 5: 9
- MicroEconomics: 4+: 9
- Macroeconomics: 4+: 9
- English Language and Composition: 5: 9
- English Literature and Composition: 5: 9
- Environmental Science: 4+: 9
- European History: 5: 9
- French Language & Culture: 4+: 9
- German Language & Culture: 4+: 9
- Government & Politics: Comparative: 4+: 9
- Government & Politics: US: 4+: 9
- Human Geography: 4+: 9
- Italian Language & Culture: 4+: 9
- Japanese Language & Culture: 4+: 12
- Latin: 4: 9
- Latin: 5: 18
- Music Theory: 4+: 9
- Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism: 5: 12
- Physics C: Mechanics: 5: 12
- Psychology: 4+: 9
- Social & Cultural Anthropology: 4+: 9
- Spanish Language: 4+: 9
- Spanish Literature & Culture: 4+: 9
- Spanish Language and Spanish Literature & Culture: 5 & 5: 9
- Statistics: 5: 9
- United States History: 5: 9
- World History: Modern: 5: 9
#23 University of Southern California
“USC awards 4 semester units of elective credit for all AP examinations with a score of 4 or 5.”
“Students may receive a combined maximum of 32 elective units for college courses taken before high school graduation.”
This is pretty straightforward stuff. If you get a 4 on eight exams, you have maxed out your credit at USC. Certain exams can satisfy specific General Education requirements at USC. Other exams would be treated as elective credit.
#24 University of Washington
Washington has the most significant acceptance of scores, including scores as low as 3. I did not see any cap being applied either. This means you could save a considerable portion of your college degree with AP exams at UW.
#25 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Like other public institutions, UNC does have a significant number of courses that are accepted with a score of three or more. However, there are caps in place that force most of the credit to be for non-major courses.
- At most, two courses (six to eight credit hours) of AP credit may be used as part of the major core.
- At most, one AP credit course (three to four credit hours) may be used as part of a minor.
#26 New York University
“For all undergraduate departments, with the exception of Dance, the maximum number of advanced standing credits that will be counted toward the degree and college credit taken in high school is 32 credits.”
NYU awards credit for the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examinations for scores of 4 and 5 on most examinations as listed on the College of Arts and Science (CAS) AP Course Equivalency Chart.
AP credits are applied as follows: up to 8 points can be allocated to general education requirements, and any additional credits resulting from an exam score of 4 or 5 will be allocated to electives.
#27 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
My alma mater! I took two AP exams, one to help me escape Chemistry and the other to place me slightly higher in Math. I was forced to take Calculus BC instead of AB because of the additional credit hours I would get if I got a 4, which I did.
This school accepts every test, with a minimum of 3. It also offers an insane amount of credits (20) for Japanese and Chinese languages. There are some overlapping equivalences, but theoretically, you could graduate in one year as there are no credit caps.
#28 University of Wisconsin
Another strong support for AP exams from a public institution. There is no cap on credits here besides considering overlapping Math and Physics exams.
#29 Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Tech does offer a fair amount of acceptance of AP exams and no max on credits, but most need a score of four or more. Foreign languages can earn you credit starting at 3. The school also does not accept Italian, Statistics, or Drawing.
#30 Georgetown
“Georgetown does not award exemption or credit for a score of 1, 2, or 3, and it does not award sophomore standing, although there is no limit to the number of credits that can be awarded.”
There are a few exams that Georgetown does not accept, but most should earn you credit towards graduation which is impressive for a highly respected private institution.
