One year after Mid-Plains Community College began offering free dual credit and early entry courses, more students than ever across the region are earning college credit while still in high school.
Dual credit enrollment climbed from 1,039 students in the 2024-25 school year to 1,392 students in 2025-26, an increase of 34 percent.
During the 2025-26 school year, MPCC students completed 13,930.5 dual credit hours, up from 5,885.5 in 2024-25. That is an increase of 8,045 credit hours, representing more than a 136 percent increase in college coursework completed by area high school students.
"The response has exceeded our expectations," said Kayla Thurman, Director of Early Entry and Program Development. "By removing the financial barrier, we've been able to reach more students and help them begin earning college credit while they're still in high school. These numbers represent real opportunities for students to save money, build confidence and get a head start on their educational and career goals."
As MPCC looks ahead, the college remains committed to providing affordable, accessible educational opportunities that prepare students for success in college, careers and beyond.
Cutline: An area high school student participates in a welding class at MPCC's North Platte North Campus through the college's dual credit program.
This content is sourced from
North Platte Community College - North Campus
. It reflects the author's views and has not been edited by our newsroom. It may have been generated using AI assistance.
