CARSON CITY, Nev. – In Nevada, 24.8 percent of the class of 2018 public school students scored a 3 or higher on an AP Exam, which qualifies them to earn college credit, placement, or both at nearly all colleges across the country. Nationwide, 23.5 percent of the class of 2018 public school students earned a 3 or higher, which demonstrates college readiness.

“These results demonstrate that more of our students are graduating college ready,” said Steve Canavero, Ph.D., Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Nevada’s results have improved by 10 percent over the past decade. We are on the right trajectory.”

Nevada students improved their results with 4.9 percent more students scoring a 3 or higher over the past three years, and 7.9 percent scoring a 3 or higher over the past five years. Both improvements rank second in the nation. Nevada’s growth over the past 10 years ranks eighth with an increase of 10.4 percent. Of the 34,490 exams taken in Nevada, 47 percent scored a 3 or higher. This represents an estimated 58,809 college credits. At an average rate of $255.33 per credit hour, the total potential cost savings for the state’s students and families was $15,015,702. This includes students at all private and public schools in the state.

10,475 Nevada public high school students in the graduating class of 2018 took an Advanced Placement® (AP®) Exam, according to the College Board AP Program Results: Class of 2018 issued today. Nationwide, 1.24 million public high school students took 4.2 million AP Exams.

Gov. Steve Sisolak has recommended $11.3 million in his budget to the 2019 Legislature to ensure that students are on a diploma or certificate pathway. This funding maintains the existing general fund support of $10 million for College and Career Readiness and appropriates an additional $1.3 million for Advanced Placement courses. The Nevada Department of Education strives to provide students every opportunity to participate in advanced coursework, dual enrollment, and work-based learning experiences.

Research shows that unlike most American students who enter four-year public colleges and universities, the majority of AP students graduate on time in four years. AP students are more likely to finish their degrees promptly and save the costs of a fifth year of college. For example, a fifth year in college adds, on average, $ 21,370 in costs (tuition, fees, room and board) at four-year public in-state colleges, $37,430 at four-year public out-of-state colleges, and $48,510 at four-year private colleges or universities.