College credits are a measure of the size of an educational course, often used to determine whether the requirements for an award have been met, to facilitate transfer between institutions, or to enhance intercomparability of qualifications. They are a unit that measures learning at accredited colleges and universities, and are an important part of accreditation, or the certification that a US college or university receives when they provide a quality education.

One college credit often represents one hour spent in the classroom per week, and many systems also factor in time spent doing homework for the course outside of the classroom. A standard semester-long college course is worth three to four credits in most universities, with smaller or half-semester classes counting for one to two credits.

College credits are earned by completing courses, and the number of credits required for graduation varies depending on the institution and the degree program. For example, to be considered full-time, a student needs to take 12 credit hours per semester, but many programs allow students to take up to 18 credit hours to finish faster.

College credits are often used to measure financial aid eligibility, and if a student anticipates receiving financial aid, they need to make sure they are enrolled for a set number of courses each semester. Dual enrollment programs may also allow high school students to enroll in local community college classes for credit, and if they successfully pass the course, they may have the option of transferring those credits to their future college.