In my high school, we have the option taking AP and DE classes. We can substitute AP with DE classes, which in my opinion are less challenging and relaxed. I want to get into a top university such as UT or UF. Would AP classes or DE classes be more appealing on a college app?
In most cases, where the AP and DE course cover similar material, AP is more universally recognized. However, there are a few cases (e.g. physics) where the AP acceptance is less common than typical. Some of the most selective colleges are not very accepting of AP scores in general, beyond perhaps advanced placement in math and foreign language.
But you can look up AP acceptance for each college on its web site. You can also see if the target college has an articulation agreement to accept transfer credit from the college that your high school has a DE agreement with.
Obviously, if the DE course covers more advanced material than AP level (e.g. multivariable calculus, linear algebra), then that is the only option. Conversely, DE courses covering lower level material (remedial in a college context, like any math lower than calculus) would not be viewed as high level (in a high school context) like AP courses would.
It sounds like you are asking if schools look at AP vs Dual Enrollment different as far as course rigor? If they are similar level like AP Physics C vs College Engineering Physics then they would most likely be looked at the same, but if you are comparing AP Stat to Dual Enrolled Multivariable Calc then the MV would be considered more rigorous.
If you are concerned about getting college credit then that will be school specific, but it does seem that State schools (especially in-state schools) are more accepting of dual enrollment credits and can get you credits (sometimes more) without having to take the AP exams. My son is going OOS to GT and took DE College Physics Mechanics and EM and was awarded 8 credits of Physics at GT (all of his engineering physics needed). He would have need to score a 5 on both the AP Physics C Mech and EM test to get the same credit. He did the same with DE Chemistry and was awarded 8 credits while the most a 5 on the AP Chemistry exam would have got him was 4 credits. Many of the state schools have transfer credit tables you can look and check, while other require you to submit the classes for evaluation.
I would lean towards the AP classes.
AP have known coursework and most colleges can tell you what credit you will get for each class. However it is much harder for a college to tell you in advance what credit they will give for any class taken at any college; typically they will review the college catalog and decide once you have enrolled. As pointed out above, state schools may be more familiar with local programs and already have the credit figured out.
Another thing to consider is that if you take college classes in HS you will have to report those classes and send transcripts anytime you apply to education programs in the future; this includes grad school. And the grades you earn will become part of your college gpa, again forever.
OP asked about admission, not course credit.
Depends on the DE school and the rigor of the classses you choose. Imo, with a few exceptions, AP is pseudo college, built for high school kids and hs teachers who vary in demands. (It’s hs rigor, sure.) AP courses and their demands are not universal among different high schools. Some are easy and teach to the test.
DE is college. (DE taught by hs teachers at your hs or in separate tracks at the college, just for hs kids, are not the same.) They can still be somewhat easy, but in theory, you’re in class with college kids.
Adcoms know what DE is and how to read transcripts.