Director Dr. Charlene Williams | Oregon Department Of Education
New data from the College Board indicate that Oregon students are increasingly participating in Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams, signaling progress in college readiness across the state. The 2025 Advanced Placement State and District Integrated Report for Oregon shows a 70% increase in AP course participation since 2021, with a 4% rise between 2024 and 2025. Participation surpassed pre-pandemic levels last year and continued to grow in 2025.
In total, 21,862 Oregon students took 37,203 AP exams this year, compared to 19,464 students who took 32,007 exams in 2019. This growth is partly attributed to the High School Success initiative, which has expanded access to advanced coursework.
Students are not only enrolling in more AP courses but also achieving higher scores. In 2025, nearly three-quarters of AP exams taken by Oregon students earned qualifying scores of 3 or higher—71.9%, which is above the national average of about 70%. The number of qualifying exam scores increased by almost 18% over last year.
“These results show that Oregon students are rising to the occasion when given the opportunity to learn at the highest levels,” said Dr. Charlene Williams, Director of the Oregon Department of Education. “We’re especially encouraged to see growth among students historically underrepresented in advanced coursework. This is what progress looks like when schools, students, and families work together.”
Participation highlights from this year include a general increase of over four percent in AP course enrollment since last year; a more than sixteen percent increase among Black/African American students; and just over four percent growth among Hispanic/Latinx students. Exam participation overall grew by eight and a half percent from last year.
Nearly one-fifth (20.9%) of those taking AP tests qualified for state-funded fee support aimed at helping students experiencing poverty. Additionally, there was a significant jump in high scores: Black/African American students saw an increase of nearly thirty-three percent in qualifying exam results compared to last year; Hispanic/Latinx students’ qualifying scores rose by almost eighteen percent.
These outcomes have financial implications as well. A single four-credit class at an Oregon community college or public university can cost between $375 and $1,000 or more; therefore, the more than twenty-six thousand qualifying AP scores this year could mean substantial tuition savings for families statewide.
Beyond AP programs, many Oregon high schoolers earn college credit through International Baccalaureate (IB) courses or dual credit/enrollment options—offering multiple routes toward demonstrating college readiness while reducing future education costs.
Oregon’s efforts include strategic investments such as Measure 98’s High School Success funds that help schools expand accelerated credit opportunities—including Career & Technical Education dual credits—and provide outreach so families understand their options. Student Success Plans offer districts targeted strategies for improving outcomes among underserved groups with goals focused on increasing college readiness via expanded credit opportunities.
Collaboration between the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) ensures alignment on how AP/IB exam results translate into credits at all twenty-four public colleges and universities statewide through an online policy table—a resource designed to help guide student planning after graduation.
The legislature also provides biennial funding so all low-income test-takers have their full exam fees covered while reducing costs for other participants.
Together these measures underscore Oregon’s commitment to expanding pathways for all high schoolers—especially those traditionally underrepresented—to earn college credit before graduation.
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