Butler County Community College’s College Within the High School program, which enables sophomores through seniors the opportunity to earn transferable college credits, has exceeded 500 students in a semester for the first time in its 23-year history.

In the fall semester, 507 high school students in Butler, Clarion, Clearfield, Jefferson, Lawrence and Mercer counties are taking at least one BC3 course in subjects varying from anatomy and physiology to western civilization I.

The 617 seats occupied this fall are also the most in a semester since BC3’s College Within the High School program began in 1997. The number of students and seats occupied this fall follows previous highs of 455 students and of 599 seats, each set in the spring 2020 semester.

“High school students who are showing an interest in furthering their education are finally seeing the advantage of a community college and the cost of its tuition. They are saving a lot of money and getting a quality education with transferable credits,” said Erin Cioffi, BC3’s assistant director of high school programming.

Tuition and fees this fall for a three-credit course at five regional Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities range from $1,246 to $1,385 for in-state residents, according to BC3. Tuition and fees this fall for a three-credit course for part-time students at regional state-related institutions’ branch campuses range from $1,495 to $1,819 for in-state residents, the college reported.

Tuition and fees this fall for a three-credit BC3 College Within the High School program course range from $384 to $414, depending on the county in which the high school is located. BC3 high school programming credits can be applied toward BC3 associate degrees and often bachelor’s degrees at public, private and online four-year colleges and universities.

High school students from Butler County can save at least $880 — and high school students from Clarion, Clearfield, Jefferson, Lawrence and Mercer counties, at least $850 — on a three-credit course offered by BC3’s program.