Prospective college students can save hundreds of dollars and skip basic coursework by taking the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam, according to a new report published June 8, 2026, by the Center of the American Experiment. The report highlights how these no-class-required tests allow students to prove mastery of introductory material and earn immediate college credit. Author Josiah Padley argues that Minnesota students and parents aren't getting enough information about this affordable pathway to degree completion.
The CLEP exam, launched in 1967 by the College Board, costs $97 per test and takes around two hours to complete. The program offers 34 different exams covering subjects from college mathematics to microeconomics and macroeconomics. Thousands of colleges nationwide accept passing CLEP scores in place of introductory coursework, including the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus, which accepts CLEP credits for College Mathematics, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics. The exams are offered year-round to students of any age and allow unlimited retakes. Since 2017, 800,000 students have taken free preparatory courses through the nonprofit Modern States Education Alliance, which also provides test cost vouchers for students who complete their courses.
The report notes that CLEP exams have "high levels of national institutional trust" and offer "far more flexibility" than Advanced Placement courses, which require a yearlong class before students can take the final exam. According to Padley, "enterprising students could knock out thousands of dollars worth of basic college credits and focus their time in college on major-specific coursework." The author acknowledges one significant challenge: unlike AP exams taken at the end of structured courses, CLEP exams have no required course attached to them, which means "the majority of learners need high-structure courses to retain information." However, the report emphasizes that completely free online preparation courses are available through Modern States for students who need structured study.
The report explains that CLEP exams work particularly well for two groups: self-motivated learners who can study independently, and adult students seeking degrees for the first time who may already possess knowledge from workplace and life experience. The exams are rigorous enough to count as college credit but accessible enough that some students can pass without formal preparation. The author shares that he personally "passed several CLEP tests in high school without any previous studying," illustrating how students with strong foundational knowledge can benefit immediately.
The report recommends that Minnesota district staff add CLEP information to high school academic counseling sessions and send informative flyers home with parents. Padley emphasizes that high school effort toward a CLEP test "could translate to thousands of saved dollars, semesters of freed college schedules, and maybe even the ability to add an extra major or minor." For families navigating rising college costs, the message is clear: a $97 test could replace a semester-long course costing thousands, and students who plan strategically can graduate faster while paying less.