Another thing to note is that if you can't take the AP exam- most colleges also offer CLEP exams to place out of classes.  I was hospitalized the weekend before my Pyschology and US History AP exams- but was able to CLEP out of those classes once I got to college.  

You should look into your schools policy about AP classes. Some schools offer credit while other offer credit and a grade. I found that a lot of my friends had lower GPAs if they got AP credit for the course but no grade, because they didn't take any of the "easy" classes to get A's. So then their freshman year grades were lower and it made them less competitive when scholarships were being awarded. Other schools award B's when you get a 3, and A's when you get a 4- you have to decide if taking a B is worth it.

Colleges do not like you to get credit for AP classes.  It is a hassle for them.  Testing out of classes  can get your college course schedule out of whack because they like you to take  classes in a certain order.  I was forced to take a course prematurely because of this and struggled to get a good grade. When I explained my situation to the professor, he all but refused to help and said it wasn't his problem I was taking a course too early.  I was a freshman taking an intro economics class first semester while everyone else was taking the basic English, etc. I had tested out of.  I hadn't had enough business classes yet that were prerequisites for the econ. class.  Check with your college ahead to see if this will cause a problem.

A few things:

First, a lot of high schools don't offer AP classes...My high school offered two English AP's, US History, Calculus, and Human Geography (the first few years it was available--don't know if it's still an AP or not), but could never get enough student interest in AP Chemistry or Physics so those classes never happened...

Second, even though the AP US History class was worth 6 hours credit, my college would only give me 3 hours toward the history requirement.  The school refused to give me the other 3 hours toward my electives.

Overall, you can accomplish the same thing (finishing school a semester early) if you take an extra class here and there...For instance, I took 17 or 18 hours every other semester or so--You pay the same full-time tuition but you can finish earlier, assuming you can handle the courseload...During my last semester I only had 1 class that I actually needed to graduate; I only took a full courseload to stay on my parents' health insurance.

Dual enrollment is also a path you can explore.  In my state, you can take classes at the community college while still in high school and the tuition is waved.  I just paid $25 a semester plus books.  I took online classes and knocked out almost all of my required electives.  Combined with my AP classes, I started college with 45 credits.

Megan- not every college has "full time tuition", though I think more are going to it.

At my university we paid by hour- so someone with 18 hours would pay more than someone with 12 hours. At DH's school they had "full time" tuition like you talked about- so financially it made way more sense to take 18 hours than 12- it was like 6 hours free.

That said- even having to pay by the hour, it makes sense to finish as quickly as you can by taking more than the minimum number of hours. It gets you out into the job market that much quicker.

As a parent and a teacher I can tell you that so much of what has been said is correct - what you take= know were you are going and if they take the credits at a what allowance for credit.... While I had to convince my daughter that it was worth it to take the more intense classes in high school a hidden benefit she found was that it taught her to study and plan --the first DBQ's were horrid but by exam time she had then down flat....again watch your college - how they accept and - enjoy - since my child started taking the classes joint enrollment has become available and cheap --- don't necessary rush thru college - just to get out  try some electives - our's did it in three years, but with a late summer birthday was very young entering the job market and decided to do a post grad intership -- the comment about staying on your parent's insurace is impt too -- because it was post grad and not full time - I had to find supplemental insurance... again though - I do champion the AP process for many reason...

You can also take AP courses and dual credit courses via digital learning online.  Check with your school counselor.   Our rural state has many courses available for public, private or home school students.

As the holder of two undergrad degrees 12 yrs apart I will tell you that the first time I didn't get high enough grades to place out of classes.  That was a bummer- but the second time I only had to take the classes needed for my degree of study and then spent the extra (free) time getting a minor in Russian Language.  Many fellow students took classes during their senior year in high school at a local community college, knowing that all credits would transfer to any school within the state (CO).  Check into school consortiums in your state (SUNY in New York for example) and see what their 'non-traditional' student requirements are.  You never know; a summer internship at a local business or camp could very well place you OUT of those pesky 'All University' credits that can trip up the best laid plans for graduating on-time (let alone early).

As a student who as earned 20 credits from the AP program, I can tell you that APs are not worth the time or effort. In my college program only 2 of those credits actually counts towards my degree while the other 18 credits just counts as other electives.  So basically I worked hard in APs and still need four years to graduate. APs are alot of work compared to the community college taught high school classes. More importantly, most colleges are more likely to accept the community college programs, unlike APs. If you are a student spend your time at community college or in regular classes, AP take too much time and effort for the little benefit they give, and they are unlike the real college classes you will be taking-- honestly I've never heard of a college class having DBQs.

I kind of did a mix of AP courses and Dual enrollment courses.  My senior year I also took a class each semester in the evenings at the local community college, as well as a course through their online instruction program.  Between all of this I accrued over fifty college credits.  I got a full ride scholarship to my first choice university, and am participating in the summer transition program which I also got a scholarship for.  The program will give me another six credits.  So my advice is to explore all opportunities!  Without all of this my family could not afford to send me to college, and now I'll be able to get my masters degree within four years, which is exactly how long my scholarship is good for :)  College for cheap IS possible if you work hard enough in high school!!!