Refer to high schools where students can simultaneously work toward both a high school diploma and associate degree or other college credential, at no cost, through an organized course of study. Federal law specifies that students at these schools, which are partnerships between a local educational agency and at least one higher education institution, earn "no less than 12 credits" that are transferrable to the college or university partner. Similar to dual (concurrent) enrollment programs, early college high schools typically provide additional support services to students and intentionally recruit students who are underrepresented in higher education.

The model especially grew after the Gates Foundation launched its Early College High School Initiative in 2002, helping to support the development of public early college high schools. Programs developed through the initiative often offered more college credits than the federal definition requires, resulting in many students earning an associate degree.

There are about 400 early colleges in the U.S., although this is a modest number compared to the some 23,500 public secondary and high schools in the U.S.

Some states regulate which programs qualify as early colleges while other states allow the term to be used more loosely.

In some states, Early College programs operate under statewide designation frameworks that establish quality standards, integrated pathways, and equity-focused access goals.