Advanced Placement

AP Computer Science Principles Credit Policy

Updated on: 05 Jun 2024

Content

1. AP Overview 2. AP Courses 3. AP Exams 4. AP Scores 5. AP Credits 6. AP Credit Policy 7. AP Biology Credit Policy 8. AP Biology Exam 9. AP Biology Practice Tests 10. AP Calculus AB Credit Policy 11. AP Calculus AB Exam 12. AP Calculus AB Formula Sheet 13. AP Calculus AB Practice Tests 14. AP Calculus BC Credit Policy 15. AP Calculus BC Exam 16. AP Calculus BC Formula Sheet 17. AP Calculus BC Practice Tests 18. AP Chemistry Credit Policy 19. AP Chemistry Exam 20. AP Chemistry Formula Sheet 21. AP Chemistry Practice Tests 22. AP Computer Science A Credit Policy 23. AP Computer Science A Practice Tests 24. AP Computer Science Principles Practice Tests 25. AP Computer Science A Exam 26. AP Computer Science Principles Credit Policy 27. AP Computer Science Principles Exam 28. AP English Language 29. AP English Literature 30. AP Human Geography Exam 31. AP Macroeconomics Practice Tests 32. AP Microeconomics Practice Tests 33. AP Physics 1 Credit Policy 34. AP Physics 1 Exam 35. AP Physics 2 Exam 36. AP Physics 1 Formula Sheet 37. AP Physics 1 Practice Tests 38. AP Physics 2 Credit Policy 39. AP Physics 2 Formula Sheet 40. AP Physics 2 Practice Tests 41. AP Physics C E&M Formula Sheet 42. AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism Exam 43. AP Physics C Mechanics Exam 44. AP Physics C Mechanics Practice Tests 45. AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism Practice Tests 46. AP Physics C Mechanics Formula Sheet 47. AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Credit Policy 48. AP Physics C: Mechanics Credit Policy 49. AP Psychology Exam 50. AP Statistics Exam 51. AP Statistics Practice Tests 52. AP Statistics Credit Policy 53. AP Statistics Formula Sheet 54. AP US History Practice Tests 55. AP Spanish Language 56. AP Enviornmental Science 57. AP World History Modern 58. AP US Government and Politics 59. AP US History Exam 60. AP European History Exam 61. AP Comparitive Government and Politics 62. AP Microeconomics 63. AP Macroeceonomics 64. AP PreCalculus 65. AP Course Placement 66. AP Score Report 67. AP Sending Scores 68. AP Pass Score 69. AP Exam Dates 70. AP Exam Fee 71. AP Free Response Questions 72. AP Document Based Questions 73. AP Multiple Choice Questions 74. AP Performance Task 75. AP Study Guides 76. AP Review Books 77. AP Course Syllabus 78. AP Course Audit 79. College Board 80. AP Course Ledger 81. AP Exam Fee Reductions 82. AP Pass Rate 83. AP Score Distribution 84. AP Practice Tests 85. AP Worksheets 86. AP Formula Sheets 87. AP Perfect Score 88. AP Daily Videos 89. AP Classroom 90. AP Central 91. Pre AP 92. AP Alumni Network 93. AP Capstone 94. AP Classroom Resources 95. AP Self Study Exams 96. AP Course Grades Vs AP Scores 97. AP Exam Calculator Policy 98. AP Scholar Award 99. AP Course And Exam Description 100. AP Classes 101. AP TextBooks 102. Benefits Of AP 103. AP Results 104. Dual Credits 105. Pre AP To AP Course Map 106. Digital AP Exams 107. AP Course Pairs 108. AP Lab Manuals 109. AP Daily Instructors 110. Best Sites for AP Physics Tutoring 111. Online Tutoring Can Help You With AP Physics Test Prep 112. Average Cost Of AP Physics Tutoring 113. Finding An AP Physics Tutor 114. Finding An AP Chemistry Tutor 115. Online Tutoring Can Help You With AP Chemistry Test Prep 116. Cost Of AP Chemistry Tutoring

If you are interested in a career in computer science, then taking an AP Computer Science Principles course can form a bridge for you to get into great colleges.

In this blog, we will talk about the AP Computer Science Principles credit policy, what it means, colleges offering credits for AP Computer Science Principles, credit policies of the top 20 colleges, and their credit policies for AP Computer Science Principles.

Boost your AP scores before exam day! Book a free trial with Wiingy’s top AP Computer Science A tutors and ensure you don’t miss out on scoring high. Every point counts towards your dream college. Act now!

AP computer science principles credit policy & placement

Colleges offer credit or advanced placement for appearing and passing AP exams with the required score as it shows great commitment and hard work in students.

These credits and placements that colleges offer vary from college to college. Some colleges offer credits, some might offer placement, some might offer both or some might offer none. So, let’s first understand the difference between credit and placement.

AP credit

When you enroll in any college r university, you need to obtain 120 credits, on average, to graduate. These credits are awarded to you for taking classes, completing projects, and others. So, when a student obtains the required score set by the college in an AP exam, the college grants them a few credits. Let’s understand this with an example.

So, let’s say that you get a 4 AP score in your AP Computer Science Principles exam and the college that you applying to offers 5 credits for that AP score, so you enter college with 5 credits under your belt before even starting any class.

Advanced placement

Sometimes colleges or universities don’t award credits for AP courses. Instead of credits, some colleges offer advanced placement. In this arrangement, colleges allow students to skip some classes for scoring the required AP score set by the college.

These classes, which the college allows students to skip, can be introductory classes of your major or mandatory classes required by the college.

AP Computer Science Principles Exam Guide — AP CSP Exam Guide 2023

Do colleges offer credits for AP Computer Science Principles?

Yes of course! Colleges do offer credits for AP Computer Science Principles but they have their own set of credit policies that differ from college to college. In order to get admission into your dream college you need to be very attentive toward the college’s credit policies.

Acceptable AP scores	No.of colleges
Total no.of colleges offering AP credits for AP Computer Science Principles	1196
No.of colleges accepting 5 AP scores	14
No.of colleges accepting 4 or more AP scores	277
No.of colleges accepting 3 or more AP scores	903
No.of colleges accepting 1 or more AP scores	2

No.of colleges offering AP Computer Science Principles credits

Source: College Board

From the above table, you can clearly see that a total number of 1196 colleges offer credits for AP Computer Science Principles. Out of these colleges, 14 accepts only 5 AP score, 277 colleges accept 4 or more score, 903 accepts 3 or more score, and 2 colleges accepts an AP score of 1 or more.

AP Computer Science Principles credit policies of top 20 colleges

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Do you get college credit for AP Computer Science Principles?

Yes, like all other AP exams, colleges do offer credits for AP Computer Science Principles too. 1196 colleges offer college credit for AP Computer Science Principles. Some major colleges and universities are, Stanford University, the University of California, Berkley, and others.

How many college credits are AP Computer Science Principles?

Credits granted by the colleges for AP Computer Science Principles vary from college to college. Some colleges might not be offering credits but might be offering advanced placement. So it is important to check your college’s AP credit policy. Although 1196 colleges in the US offer credits for AP Computer Science Principles, your college might be one of them.

Should I take AP Computer Science Principles or AP Computer Science A?

AP Computer Science Principles is a beginner course. I was introduced to the school curriculum so that students who have no prior knowledge of CS but have an interest in the subject can get acquainted with the subject before going into detail in AP Computer Science A class. So, if you are a complete beginner then taking AP CSP is the best way forward.

What if I got a 4 on AP Computer Science Principles?

According to the College Board score classification system, an AP score of 4 is termed as “well-qualified”. So, if you get 4 in your AP Computer Science Principles exam that means you have performed well in the exam and are eligible t apply to 291 colleges that offer credits for 4 or more AP scores, out of the total 1196 colleges that offer credits for AP CSP.

Is AP CSA harder than AP CSP?

Both the AP computer science classes differ a lot. AP CSP is considered an introductory to the CS class. The curriculum is very basic where students learn about theories and focus on their problem-solving skills. While AP CSA introduces Java programming language and students are taught how to code.

Written by

Apoorvaa Agarwal

Reviewed by

Priyanshi Agrawal

See our editorial process Meet our Review board

Share article on