IB, AP, AICE, and Dual Enrollment: What Are the Differences?

ByAimee Heller
A photo illustrating an International College Counselors' college advisor South Florida explains the difference between IB, AP, AICE, and dual enrollment programs.

When students take AP, IB, AICE, or Dual Enrollment classes, they get a chance to tackle college-level material while still in high school. These programs encourage students to dive deeper into subjects, sharpen their critical thinking, and get a feel for what college coursework is like. Many schools that use weighted GPA systems reward the difficulty of these classes with a GPA boost. Plus, students can often earn college credit depending on how well they perform in the program.

Notably, taking AP, IB, AICE, or Dual Enrollment classes demonstrates to college admissions officers that a student is challenging themselves with rigorous coursework. These classes show a willingness to go beyond the standard curriculum and prepare for college-level academics. Successfully completing these programs reflects strong time-management, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, all of which are highly valued in the admissions process. Additionally, earning high grades in these courses can boost a student’s academic profile and competitiveness.

How Do AP, IB, AICE, and Dual Enrollment Programs Compare and Contrast?

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)

What is IB?

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program, developed in Switzerland, is an internationally recognized diploma program. This rigorous two-year sequence of classes, projects, and assessments is available to students in 11th and 12th grades and aims to develop the whole student through a broad curriculum. To participate, students must attend an authorized IB school.

Benefits of an IB Program/IB Diploma:

  • Demonstrates to colleges a student’s ability to challenge themselves in all subject areas.
  • Emphasizes independent learning, critical thinking, and time-management skills over multiple-choice exams.
  • Awards up to 30 hours of college credit based on performance in classes and IB exam scores.
  • Requires a two-year commitment, fostering long-term discipline.
  • Florida students who earn the IB Diploma and complete 100 community service hours are eligible for the Florida Bright Futures 100% tuition scholarship.

How Students Earn an IB Diploma:

  • Complete courses in six subject groups: (1) Language and Literature, (2) Language Acquisition, (3) Individuals and Societies, (4) Sciences, (5) Mathematics, and (6) The Arts.
  • Take 3-4 courses at the Higher Level (HL) and the rest at the Standard Level (SL).
  • Write an Extended Essay, a long, college-style research paper.
  • Complete a Theory of Knowledge course and present research-based projects.
  • Fulfill Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS) requirements.
  • Earn at least 24 points on final exams across all subjects.

Notes on IB:

Most colleges give credit for Higher Level (HL) exams, but credit for Standard Level (SL) exams is less common.

Students at any IB World School can take individual Diploma Programme (DP) courses online if their preferred subject is not available at their school. Additionally, the IB offers a fully online DP pilot, giving students the opportunity to complete the whole DP online. 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)

What is AP?

The Advanced Placement (AP) program, created by the U.S.-based College Board, offers subject-specific, standardized college-level classes and exams. Currently, there are 40 AP subjects offered in the disciplines of arts, English, history and social science, math and computer science, the sciences, and world languages and culture. College Board updates courses periodically, including the new AP Business Principles/Personal Finance course starting in the 2026-27 school year. Students can take as many AP courses as their school offers or their school/schedule allows. Sometimes schools only allow students to take a certain amount of AP courses.

What is the AP Capstone Program?

AP Capstone consists of two courses—AP Seminar and AP Research—that help students develop key college-ready skills, such as research, analysis, collaboration, and presentation. AP Seminar is a prerequisite for AP Research.

How Students Earn an AP Capstone Diploma:

  • Take AP Seminar and AP Research, earning a score of 3 or higher on each.
  • Earn scores of 3 or higher on four additional AP exams of their choice.

Benefits of AP Classes and the AP Capstone Program:

  • Allow students to explore subjects they’re passionate about in greater depth.
  • Expose students to college-level work and expectations.
  • Evaluate students with assessments that reward recall.
  • Provide opportunities to earn college credit or place out of entry-level college classes, depending on exam scores.
  • Offer flexibility, as students can take the AP exams in May even without taking the course (through self-study).
  • Credits are widely accepted by colleges across the U.S.

Note on AP:

AP credit policies vary by college, so students should research each school’s policy.

CAMBRIDGE AICE

What is AICE?

The Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) program, developed by the University of Cambridge in England, offers an international diploma. AICE courses are rigorous and typically available at two levels: Advanced Subsidiary (AS), which are one-year courses, and Advanced (A), which are two-year courses.

Benefits of AICE Classes and Diploma:

  • Offer up to 30 hours of college credit.
  • Provide flexibility for students to tailor their course selection to their interests.
  • Encourages and develops the skills of independent research and investigation, the use of initiative and creativity, and the application of skills and knowledge. 
  • Include AS Level exams (worth one credit towards the diploma) and A Level exams (worth two credit towards the diploma).
  • Florida students who earn the AICE Diploma and complete 100 community service hours are eligible for the Florida Bright Futures 100% tuition scholarship.

How Students Earn an AICE Diploma:

  • Complete at least 7 AICE credits in subjects from three curriculum areas: (1) Mathematics and Science, (2) Languages, and (3) Arts and Humanities. Interdisciplinary courses are also an option.
  • Take the mandatory AS Level Global Perspectives and Research course.
  • Earn sufficient points through evaluations, including exams, oral assessments, and projects.

Note on AICE:

While AICE is rigorous, some students find it less demanding than AP or IB. Many U.S. colleges view AP and IB as more rigorous, but AICE may be considered more challenging than Honors courses. AICE is not offered in all states and is more popular in Arizona, Florida, and Kentucky. Other states offering AICE courses at some of their schools include Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and Washington. 

DUAL ENROLLMENT

What is Dual Enrollment?

Dual Enrollment allows high school students to take college courses at a college or university and earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. Courses are typically free for high school students, though some may require textbook fees.

Benefits of Dual Enrollment:

  • Offers college credits that transfer to many institutions, potentially saving on tuition costs.
  • Provides real college experience, including interaction with college professors and students.
  • Allows students to explore college-level coursework without being limited to a single program or curriculum.
  • Offers flexibility in course selection based on a student’s interests and future goals.

Challenges of Dual Enrollment:

  • Credits may not always transfer seamlessly, especially to out-of-state colleges or private institutions.
  • The rigor of college courses can be demanding for some high school students.

FINAL TAKEAWAYS

IB, AP, AICE, and Dual Enrollment each offer significant benefits. With so many choices, deciding on the right program can be challenging. While these programs share similarities, they also have key differences. If your school offers multiple options, you might consider taking a mix of courses. We encourage you to research further and consult an advisor at International College Counselors to determine the best fit for your academic goals.

INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE COUNSELORS

No matter where your family is in the college admissions process, International College Counselors can help you with every aspect, including honing the college list, fine-tuning college applications, writing admission essays, and crafting advantageous course schedules. The expert team at International College Counselors includes former college admission officers, high school directors and counselors, and writing professionals with a combined 250+ years of experience, helping students and families successfully navigate the college application journey. For personalized guidance, contact International College Counselors at 954-414-9986 or email Marlene at [email protected].