Do most colleges accept AP credits?

I'm taking a few AP classes this year. How do I find out if the colleges I'm interested in will accept AP credits? Is there a general trend in how colleges view AP credits?

The acceptance of AP credits differs from college to college and can even vary from department to department within a single institution. Most colleges and universities in the United States do accept AP credits, but the score required for credit can vary. Typically, a score of 3 is considered passing, however, more selective schools often require a score of 4 or 5.

Additionally, it's worth noting that some institutions award credit only, some award placement only (meaning that they count the score towards prerequisite requirements), and others award both credit and placement. Furthermore, there are a few schools that do not award any credit or placement but simply use AP scores to bolster the admissions profile of a student.

To find out if a specific university accepts AP credits, the most reliable place to look is the college's website. College websites usually have an AP credit policy page that lists the AP subjects and the scores required for credit or placement.

As for general trends, it can be observed that schools with higher academic rigor and selectivity tend to have stricter AP policies. They often require higher AP scores and sometimes limit the number of AP credits they will accept. Despite this, AP courses are still highly valued, as they demonstrate a student's ability to handle rigorous coursework.