Ibrahim Gardner
Transferring colleges is a common occurrence, with a 2015 report by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center finding that more than a third of college students transfer, and nearly half of those do so more than once. College transfer enrollment grew by 5.3% in the fall of 2023 compared to 2022, with transfers from two-year to four-year colleges leading the growth, increasing by 7.7%. This growth was driven by disadvantaged students, including those from low-income backgrounds, Black and Hispanic groups, and rural community colleges. The pandemic also impacted transfer enrollment, with overall transfers declining by more than 190,000 students during the 2020-21 academic year. Despite this, highly selective institutions saw gains, with upward transfers to these colleges increasing by 10.3%.
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What You'll Learn
Student transfers from two-year to four-year colleges
Transferring from a two-year college to a four-year college is a popular path for students. According to a 2017 report from the NSC Research Center, about half of graduates who earned a four-year degree in 2016 had attended a two-year school at some point in the past decade. This trend continued in 2023, with college transfer enrollment growing by 5.3% compared to the previous year, driven by upward transfers from two-year to four-year institutions, which increased by 7.7%.
Students choose to transfer from two-year to four-year colleges for various reasons, including cost, family obligations, the desire to be closer to home, a change in academic program, or the pursuit of a bachelor's degree. Additionally, two-year colleges often serve as a stepping stone for students to save money, obtain general education credits, or make informed decisions about their major before transferring to a four-year institution.
Transferring from a two-year to a four-year college requires careful planning and consideration of several factors. Students should meet with their college adviser regularly to select courses that will transfer and strategically fulfill their degree requirements. Not all credits earned at a two-year college will transfer, and students may need to retake certain courses at the four-year university. To ensure a smooth transition, students should research the transfer process, including credit applicability, application requirements, and available resources at their desired four-year institution.
The transfer process can be tricky, and students should be aware of potential challenges, such as credit evaluation and approval. There may be discrepancies between two-year and four-year college officials regarding the effectiveness of faculty experts in deciding which credits are transferable. It is recommended that students consult with advisers at both their current and prospective institutions to maximize their transferable credits and avoid losing progress toward their degree. Additionally, students should consider the academic quality, school size, campus environment, and support systems when choosing a four-year college to transfer to.
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Factors influencing transfer decisions
A 2015 report by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center found that more than a third of college students transfer, and that nearly half of those do it more than once. The reasons behind this uptick in transfer requests are varied, and often very personal.
Financial
The rising costs of college can be a significant factor in a student's decision to transfer. Students may be forced to take on significant debt to attend their first-choice college, and financial realities can quickly set in. Students may transfer to a college that offers better financial aid, scholarships, or in-state tuition rates.
Academic
Some students transfer to a college that better suits their academic needs. This could be due to a change in major, or to improve their GPA to graduate with a bachelor's degree. Students may also transfer if they feel they are not getting a quality education at their current college, perhaps due to a large class size or a party atmosphere.
Social
The social scene at a college can be a major factor in a student's decision to transfer. Students may feel isolated or homesick, and this can be exacerbated by social media, where they see their friends at other colleges having a better time. Students may also feel overwhelmed by the switch from a small high school to a large university, and this can impact their ability to adjust to campus life.
Location
The location of a college can be a factor in a student's decision to transfer. A student may desire a more urban setting with more social and professional opportunities, or they may wish to move closer to, or further away from, home.
Athletics
For student-athletes, the coaching style, playing time, and a change in coaching staff can be significant factors in their decision to transfer.
Credit evaluation
The credit-approval process can also influence a student's decision to transfer. Students want clarity on how many of their credits will transfer, and a centralized approach to credit evaluation is often preferred.
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Credit approval process for transfer students
Transferring colleges is a common practice, with around one-third of college students transferring schools before earning their degree. The number of transfer students varies by institution, but generally falls somewhere between 15% and 40% of all newly enrolled undergraduates. Transfer students typically apply for financial aid and can face competition for open spots.
The credit approval process for transfer students can vary depending on the institution, but there are some common steps and considerations to keep in mind. Here is a general outline of the process:
Identify the Course and Transfer Credit Type
The first step is to identify the external course you plan to take and determine the type of transfer credit you want to request. It is recommended to review the Transfer Credit Database to see what courses have already been approved.
Submit Transfer Credit Approval Forms
Before taking classes at another institution, you must submit and obtain approval for Transfer Credit Approval forms. These forms need to be brought to the appropriate department for evaluation. For example, if you plan to take a math class at another institution, you must bring the form and syllabus to the math department for approval.
Submit Official Transcripts
After completing the external course, you must submit your official transcript to the institution. Some institutions, like Stanford, only accept official transcripts directly from the external institution and will not accept transcripts from students or their academic departments. Transcripts can be sent electronically or as sealed paper transcripts.
Credit Evaluation and Approval
Once the official transcript is received, the institution will evaluate and approve the transfer credit. At Stanford, for example, transfer credit is posted in whole units, and any half-credits are rounded down. Boston University requires a minimum grade of C or higher for credit to be posted, and does not accept courses graded Pass/Fail.
Degree Requirements
Once approved, transfer credits can be applied towards your overall university graduation requirements, major/minor requirements, and other degree requirements. However, it is important to note that there may be residency requirements, where a minimum number of credits must be completed at the degree-granting institution. Additionally, grades for transfer work may not be factored into your GPA or posted on your transcript.
It is important for transfer students to carefully review the policies and procedures of their specific institution regarding transfer credits, as there may be unique requirements or restrictions.
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Transfer enrollment statistics
Prevalence of Transfers:
According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, college student transfers experienced a notable increase in the fall of 2023, growing by 5.3% compared to the previous year. This growth builds upon previous years, as transfers had already increased by 1.4% and 1.3% for 2020 and 2021 starters, respectively, when compared to pre-pandemic levels. The overall transfer enrollment rate represents 13.2% of all continuing and returning undergraduates, indicating that a significant portion of students choose to change institutions during their academic journeys.
Types of Transfers:
Transfers can be categorized as upward transfers or lateral transfers. Upward transfers refer to students moving from two-year colleges to four-year institutions, while lateral transfers involve switching between institutions of the same type. In the fall of 2023, upward transfers from two-year to four-year colleges drove the growth, increasing by 7.7%. This trend is particularly prominent among students from middle and low-income backgrounds, who are increasingly pursuing more selective four-year colleges. In contrast, lateral transfers experienced a decline of 4.3%.
Racial and Ethnic Dynamics:
Institutional Perspectives:
Administrators from four-year colleges and two-year colleges hold differing perspectives on transfer processes. Officials from four-year institutions generally agree that faculty experts within academic departments are effective at determining credit transfers. In contrast, two-year college officials emphasize the importance of early credit applicability evaluations and tend to give themselves higher ratings in preparing students for transfers. This disconnect highlights the need for improved collaboration and collective responsibility in supporting transfer students across different types of institutions.
Persistence Rates:
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on overall transfer enrollment, persistence rates among transfer students have remained relatively stable. The NSCRC reported an overall persistence rate of 80.7% for students who transferred in the fall of 2020. Additionally, the mid-year term-to-term national persistence rate was largely unaffected by the pandemic's resurgence. These rates indicate that students who transfer tend to persist in their academic pursuits, even during challenging circumstances.
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Racial and income disparities in transfer rates
A 2015 report by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center found that more than a third of college students transfer, and nearly half of those do so more than once. Transfer enrollment increased by 5.3% in the fall of 2023 compared to the previous year, with 13.2% of all continuing and returning undergraduates transferring. Disadvantaged students, including those from low-income backgrounds, Black and Hispanic groups, and rural community colleges, saw larger increases in transfer enrollment.
Despite rising college graduation rates, higher education has not significantly reduced income and wealth disparities across races and ethnicities. While notable progress has been made among Asians, Hispanics and Blacks have fallen further behind their white counterparts in terms of degree attainment and effectiveness. Racial and ethnic income and wealth gaps are likely to widen due to growing gaps in college attainment rates and differences in financial returns associated with each level of education.
Racial disparities in transfer rates are persistent, with about 25% of Asian and white transfer-intending students transferring within four years, compared to 13% of Black and 16% of Latino students. While transfers from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, including Latinos, Blacks, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders, have increased significantly at the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU), these groups remain underrepresented among transfer cohorts. For example, Latinos made up half of first-time transfer-intending California community college students in fall 2019 but only 26% of transfer enrollees at UC in fall 2022.
Income disparities in transfer rates are also evident, with two-year college students from middle and low-income backgrounds making significant gains in transferring to more selective four-year colleges. The increase in transfer enrollment from community colleges to bachelor's programs improves access to four-year degrees, especially for students from lower-income backgrounds.
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Frequently asked questions
College transfer enrollment grew by 5.3% in the Fall of 2023 compared to Fall 2022. This represents a gain of about 63,000 students.
A 2015 report by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center found that 37.2% of college students changed schools at least once within six years, and 45% of those changed institutions more than once.
There are several reasons why students decide to transfer colleges, including unexpected costs, a change in sports team dynamics, and an unbalanced perspective of the college experience due to social media.
All racial/ethnic groups experienced gains in upward transfers in 2023, except for Asian students, whose rates declined by 4.5%. Upward transfers by Black students increased by 7.9%, followed by White students (7.0%), Native American students (6.3%), and Hispanic students (6%).
Transfers from two-year to four-year colleges led the growth in 2023, increasing by 7.7%. This suggests that students are viewing this pathway as a more affordable option for obtaining a bachelor's degree from prestigious institutions.
