College Algebra vs Quantitative Reasoning: does algebra count for QR?

At some colleges, yes; check your college's list. Penn State's MATH 21 College Algebra counts for its Quantification (GQ) requirement, and Oregon State gives its functions course, Precalculus I: Functions, the “Core Ed - Quantitative Literacy & Analysis” attribute. Illinois is different: STAT 100 Statistics and MATH 124 Finite Mathematics carry its Quantitative Reasoning I mark, while its MATH 112 Algebra carries none.

A math course for students outside science and math. Texas describes its common course, Contemporary Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning), as “Intended for Non-STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) majors. Topics include introductory treatments of sets and logic, financial mathematics, probability and statistics with appropriate applications.” Oregon State's Math in Society covers “quantitative reasoning and problem-solving strategies, probability and statistics, and financial mathematics”. College Algebra goes deeper into functions instead.

DSST's exam page gives a minimum score, not a pass rate: 400, for 3 semester hours. It lists “real number systems; sets and logic; metric system, conversions and geometry; algebra, graphs and functions (as applied to real life applications); linear systems and inequalities; exponents and logarithms including financial literacy and counting, probability theory and statistics”. If you would rather learn in lessons, College Algebra covers the algebra, functions and logarithms, and Principles of Statistics the probability and statistics; both are self-paced.

College Algebra: NCCRS recommends 3 semester hours, lower division, in Math among other subjects. Principles of Statistics: NCCRS recommends 3 semester hours, lower division, in Mathematics among other subjects; ACE recommends 3 (ACE ID UPIS-0003).

College Algebra: Math, Accounting, Business, Business Administration, Business Management, Economics, Liberal Arts, or as a General Education Elective, or as part of STEM fields. Principles of Statistics: Mathematics, Economics, International Business, Finance, Finance and Investment, Accounting, Management, Human Resources, Hospitality Management, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Education, or Health Services. Your college decides which requirement each one fills.

Principles of Statistics is longer by its syllabus. College Algebra: 10 chapters and 58 instructional hours. Principles of Statistics: 14 chapters and 67 instructional hours. Both are self-paced, so you finish as fast or as slow as you want.

College Algebra: Successful completion of high school elementary algebra (Algebra I) or its equivalent; or a qualifying score on the UPI Study College Algebra Placement Assessment. Principles of Statistics: none.

College Algebra: 100 multiple-choice questions, 25% of the grade. Principles of Statistics: 100 multiple-choice questions, 50% of the grade.

College Algebra: Abramson, Jay, editor. College Algebra 2e. OpenStax, Rice University, 2021. Additional material for reference: Algebra and Trigonometry 2e. OpenStax, Rice University, 2021, with other references. Principles of Statistics: Illowsky, Barbara, and Susan Dean, editors. Introductory Statistics 2e. OpenStax, 2023, with other references.

College Algebra: NCCRS only. Principles of Statistics: yes, ACE ID UPIS-0003, 3 semester hours. ACE listings run three years and UPI Study renews them as they end; credit you have earned stays valid for 10 years.

Quantitative Analysis. In the “Business and data” order on the Math courses page, it follows Principles of Statistics. Your program may set its own order.

70 or more passes College Algebra. Your transcript's grading scale shows the letter grade 70 maps to, which most colleges read as a C.

Yes: the College Algebra syllabus opens after a free sign-in. It lists all 10 chapters, the grading and the credit recommendation, so you can send it to your registrar.

ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. NCCRS recommends College Algebra for 3 semester hours in Math, Business, Economics or Liberal Arts, among other areas, or as a General Education Elective. Principles of Statistics has an ACE recommendation (ACE ID UPIS-0003) and an NCCRS recommendation, each for 3 semester hours. Search your school in Find My College and ask your registrar whether either meets your quantitative requirement. It helps to name the subject: NCCRS recommends College Algebra in Math and Principles of Statistics in Mathematics.