<p>Getting credits is just one of the advantages. Taking challenge courses helps the application. Getting advance placement may help to skip some intro classes even if they do not offer credit for your AP. This would help you to graduate faster and save money. Getting credits alone may or may not save money. If the credits you get are only counted as electives and not for the graduation requirement, it does not help. If you have accumulated too many credits, it may even bump up your tuition as you may need to pay as junior/senior even still in sophomore year in some schools (e.g. UMich).</p>