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Best homeschool civics and economics for high school credit

A typical transcript lists half a credit of government and half a credit of economics. The courses below are built to earn that credit, with tests, assignments or a full schedule.

Updated September 2026 · 14 programs compared · rankings from our published scoring rules

Every child is different. Add your child's grade, the viewpoint you want and what you want to study for a personal ranking.

Try it with a high school credit selected

What matters for a high school credit

Pick the combination you need. Some courses cover only government or only economics; a few combine both in one year.

Check the paperwork. Programs with tests and teacher keys make a credit easier to document.

Plan the timing. Many are labeled for 11th or 12th grade but can be used earlier.

Our top 5 for a high school credit

  1. Notgrass Exploring Government and Exploring Economics

    Two half-year high school courses: daily reading, founding documents, essays and projects, written for independent students

    • Covers all your grades (9th–12th)
    • Half credit each; quizzes and exams available
    • Watch for: strong conservative christian viewpoint
    Grades 9th–12thDaily textbook reading plus a collection of primary sources, with a project menu in every unitCost: $70: Exploring Government curriculum package (textbook plus We Hold These Truths); Exploring Economics is sold separately

  2. The Classical Historian: Take a Stand! American Government and Economics

    A one-year Socratic course that combines government and economics, best run as a weekly group class

    • Covers all your grades (9th–12th)
    • A year course meant to meet most states' requirements
    • Watch for: best with a group class; harder for one student at home
    Grades 9th–12thReading, discussion, research and presentations; students defend and argue both sidesCost: $22: student edition; the teacher edition (about $22) and two required outside books are extra

  3. Ramsey Foundations in Personal Finance (Homeschool Edition)

    Dave Ramsey's half-credit high school personal finance course: videos, guided notes, a textbook and activities

    • Covers all your grades (9th–12th)
    • Half credit; tests and syllabi included
    • Watch for: light on macroeconomics
    Grades 9th–12thVideo lessons with guided notes, an illustrated textbook, chapter tests and offline activitiesCost: $90: Homeschool Edition, print and digital (student add-on $30 each)

  4. Master Books Civics and the Constitution

    A one-semester high school course on the Constitution's history and meaning, with video lectures, from a Biblical worldview

    • Covers all your grades (10th–12th)
    • Half credit in one semester
    • Watch for: clear christian, limited-government viewpoint
    Grades 10th–12thStudent book reading plus video lectures; worksheets and quizzes in the teacher guideCost: $78: curriculum pack ($78.37, 2026 edition)

  5. Bill of Rights Institute: Documents of Freedom

    A free online course built on primary sources, with nine units and 66 lesson plans on government and free enterprise

    • Covers all your grades (9th–12th)
    • Meets government and economics requirements; no exams
    • Watch for: heavy parent preparation
    Grades 9th–12thInquiry and discussion around founding documents, with essays and activitiesCost: $0: free online course

Questions parents ask

How many credits do colleges expect in civics and economics?

Most expect half a year each of government and economics, but colleges vary, so check the ones your teen is considering.

Can I combine two programs?

Yes. Many families use one government course and one economics course, often from the same publisher so the format matches.

What about personal finance?

Personal finance is usually an elective. See our personal finance guide.

How this list is made: each program is scored against the needs above using features documented in parent reviews and publisher materials (sources are listed in each program's profile). It's a starting point, not medical, legal or educational advice.