I don’t understand how APs are considered safer than DEs. You have to get the score on the AP test to get credit. With DEs, you just need to check the college’s website to see if they give transfer credit for that particular class.
For example, Arizona is my S20’s top choice. He took AP Lang and got a 3 on the exam. Arizona requires a 4 to give credit for Eng 101 or whatever it is. But he’s taking DE English this year, and they give credit for Eng 101 for the class he’s taking.