Yes, earning AP credits is one of the most effective ways to graduate early from college. By earning qualifying scores on your AP Exams, you can bypass many of the introductory-level courses that are required for most undergraduate degrees. This can significantly accelerate your path to graduation.
For example, let's say a university requires 120 credits to graduate. If you enter college with 30 credits from AP Exams (which is achievable with 5-6 high scores), you only need to earn 90 more credits during your time as a student. This could allow you to graduate a full year early, saving you a full year's worth of tuition and living expenses. Even a smaller number of credits can allow you to graduate a semester early. Graduating early isn't the only benefit; AP credits can also give you the flexibility to pursue a double major, add a minor, study abroad for a semester without falling behind, or take a lighter course load each semester to focus on difficult classes or participate in internships. The cost and time savings make AP a worthwhile investment for many students.