Fastest Online Degrees With Transfer Credits 2026

If you have previous college credits, starting over from scratch can feel frustrating and unnecessary. Many online programs are designed to accept transfer credits, allowing you to apply past coursework toward a new degree and significantly reduce the time it takes to graduate.

Fast online degrees with transfer credits are especially appealing for students returning to school after a break, changing careers, or finishing what they already started. While transfer policies vary by institution, the degree options below are commonly offered by schools that accept a high number of credits and support faster completion.

Fastest Online Degree Options That Accept Transfer Credits

The degree options below are frequently offered by transfer-friendly schools that allow a large portion of previously earned credits to count toward graduation. When combined with frequent start dates and accelerated terms, transfer credits can shorten a degree timeline to months rather than years.

1. Associate Degree in Business Administration

An associate degree in business administration is one of the most transfer-friendly options available because it shares common coursework with many other programs. General education classes such as English, math, and social sciences often transfer easily, along with introductory business courses like accounting or management. This makes it easier to apply credits earned from community colleges or prior university study.

Many online business administration programs allow students to transfer up to 75% of the required credits. With frequent start dates and condensed terms, students who enter with substantial transfer credit may only need to complete a handful of remaining courses. This structure can dramatically reduce the time needed to earn the degree.

Program duration: 4 to 9 months (with transfer credits)

Universities that offer online associate degrees in business administration with transfer credits:

• Southern New Hampshire University: Online associate degree in business administration
• Liberty University: Online associate degree in business administration
• University of Phoenix: Online associate degree in business administration
• Strayer University: Online associate degree in business administration
• Excelsior University: Online associate degree in business administration

2. Associate Degree in General Studies

An associate degree in general studies is often one of the fastest options for students with prior college credit because of its flexible structure. These programs are designed to accept a wide range of coursework across subjects such as humanities, social sciences, math, and electives. That flexibility makes it easier to apply credits from multiple schools without losing progress.

Many general studies programs are built specifically for adult learners who are returning to college to finish what they started. With generous transfer limits and fewer required core courses, students may only need to complete a small number of remaining classes. This approach can significantly shorten the time to graduation, especially when paired with frequent start dates.

Program duration: 3 to 6 months (with transfer credits)

Universities that offer online associate degrees in general studies with transfer credits:

• Thomas Edison State University: Online associate degree in general studies
• Excelsior University: Online associate degree in general studies
• Southern New Hampshire University: Online associate degree in general studies
• University of Maryland Global Campus: Online associate degree in general studies
• Pierpont Community and Technical College: Online board of governors associate degree

3. Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies or General Studies

A bachelor’s degree in liberal studies or general studies is often one of the fastest ways to finish a four-year degree if you already have a large number of credits. These programs are intentionally flexible, allowing students to apply coursework from a wide range of disciplines toward graduation. Because they have fewer rigid major requirements, they are especially well suited for students with credits from multiple institutions.

Many online liberal or general studies programs allow students to transfer up to 90 credits or more, which can leave only a small number of remaining courses. When combined with monthly or frequent start dates, this structure can reduce the time to completion to a year or less in some cases. This degree can be a practical choice for students who want to graduate quickly without redoing coursework they have already completed.

Program duration: 3 to 12 months (with transfer credits)

Universities that offer online bachelor’s degrees in liberal or general studies with transfer credits:

• Thomas Edison State University: Online bachelor’s degree in liberal studies
• Excelsior University: Online bachelor’s degree in liberal studies
• Southern New Hampshire University: Online bachelor’s degree in general studies
• University of Massachusetts Global: Online bachelor’s degree in liberal studies
• University of Maryland Global Campus: Online bachelor’s degree in general studies

4. Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or Management

A bachelor’s degree in business administration or management is one of the most transfer-friendly options for students who already hold an associate degree or significant prior coursework. Many programs accept a wide range of general education and lower-division business credits, including accounting, economics, marketing, and management fundamentals. This flexibility makes it easier to apply existing credits without repeating material.

Transfer-friendly business programs often allow students to bring in up to 75% or more of the required credits. With frequent start dates, accelerated terms, or competency-based formats, students may only need to complete upper-division coursework to graduate. For motivated students, this structure can shorten the remaining time to a year or less while still earning a recognized business credential.

Program duration: 6 to 18 months (with transfer credits)

Universities that offer online bachelor’s degrees in business administration with transfer credits:

• Western Governors University: Online bachelor’s degree in business management
• Southern New Hampshire University: Online bachelor’s degree in business administration
• University of Massachusetts Global: Online bachelor’s degree in business administration
• Liberty University: Online bachelor’s degree in business administration
• Colorado State University Global: Online bachelor’s degree in business administration

5. Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology

A bachelor’s degree in information technology is often highly transfer-friendly because many foundational courses overlap with general education and technical electives. Credits in areas such as computer fundamentals, networking, programming basics, or information systems often transfer smoothly, especially from community colleges or prior technical programs. This makes IT a strong option for students who already have applied or career-focused coursework.

Many online IT programs allow students to transfer up to 75% or more of the required credits. When paired with frequent start dates or competency-based formats, students may only need to complete upper-division coursework to finish their degree. This structure can reduce the remaining time to as little as a year, depending on how many credits transfer.

Program duration: 6 to 18 months (with transfer credits)

Universities that offer online bachelor’s degrees in information technology with transfer credits:

• Western Governors University: Online bachelor’s degree in information technology
• Southern New Hampshire University: Online bachelor’s degree in information technology
• University of Maryland Global Campus: Online bachelor’s degree in information technology
• Bellevue University: Online bachelor’s degree in information technology
• Arizona State University: Online bachelor’s degree in information technology

6. Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology

A bachelor’s degree in psychology is often transfer-friendly because much of the coursework overlaps with general education and social science requirements. Classes such as introductory psychology, statistics, research methods, and electives in human behavior frequently transfer from other colleges. This makes psychology a practical option for students who already have credits but want to pivot into a people-focused field.

Many online psychology programs allow students to transfer up to 75% or more of required credits, significantly reducing the number of remaining courses. With frequent start dates and accelerated terms, students may be able to complete their final requirements in a year or less. This degree can support careers in human services, business, education support, or serve as preparation for graduate study.

Program duration: 3 to 18 months (with transfer credits)

Universities that offer online bachelor’s degrees in psychology with transfer credits:

• Southern New Hampshire University: Online bachelor’s degree in psychology
• Thomas Edison State University: Online bachelor’s degree in psychology
• University of Maryland Global Campus: Online bachelor’s degree in psychology
• Liberty University: Online bachelor’s degree in psychology
• Arizona State University: Online bachelor’s degree in psychology

How Transfer Credits Can Shorten Your Time to Graduation

Transfer credits allow you to apply previously earned coursework toward a new degree instead of retaking similar classes. When accepted, these credits count toward your total degree requirements, which can dramatically reduce the number of courses you still need to complete.

For many online students, transfer credits are the single biggest factor in accelerating graduation. Even a modest number of accepted credits can shave months off a degree timeline, while large transfers can reduce completion time to a year or less.

What Types of Credits Typically Transfer

General education credits are among the most commonly accepted transfer credits. Courses in English composition, math, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences often transfer smoothly between accredited institutions.

Many schools also accept lower-division major courses, especially in fields like business, psychology, and information technology. In addition, some colleges award credit for military training, standardized exams, or professional certifications, depending on their transfer policies.

Transfer Credit Limits and Residency Requirements

Most colleges place a limit on how many transfer credits you can apply toward a degree. For associate degrees, this is often around 75% of total credits, while bachelor’s programs may allow up to 90 credits or more.

Schools also require a minimum number of credits to be completed through the institution itself, often called a residency requirement. Understanding these limits upfront helps you estimate how many courses you will still need to take and avoid surprises later.

How To Maximize Your Transfer Credits

If you already have college credits, a few strategic steps can help you make the most of them. Being proactive early in the process often leads to faster degree completion.

Requesting Transcripts Early

Submitting official transcripts as soon as possible allows schools to evaluate your credits before you enroll. This helps you understand exactly how many credits will apply and how much time you can save.

Some schools provide unofficial evaluations during the admissions process. While these are not final, they can give you a helpful preview of what to expect.

Choosing Transfer-Friendly Schools

Not all colleges are equally flexible when it comes to transfer credits. Schools that market themselves toward adult learners or online students often have more generous transfer policies.

Looking for institutions that clearly publish transfer limits, credit evaluation timelines, and prior learning options can make it easier to finish faster. Asking detailed questions before enrolling can also help you compare programs more effectively.

FAQs About Fastest Online Degrees With Transfer Credits

Students considering transfer-friendly online degrees often want to know how their past coursework will be evaluated and how much time they can realistically save. The questions below focus on common concerns about credit transfer and accelerated completion.

How Many Transfer Credits Can I Apply Toward an Online Degree?

The number of transfer credits you can apply depends on the degree level and the school’s policies. Many associate degrees allow up to 75% of credits to transfer, while bachelor’s programs often accept up to 90 credits or more.

Even if you have fewer credits than the maximum allowed, transferring what you already earned can still shorten your timeline. A formal credit evaluation will show exactly how many courses you have left to complete.

Do Online Colleges Accept Credits From Community Colleges?

Most online colleges do accept credits from regionally accredited community colleges, especially for general education requirements and lower-division coursework. Classes such as English composition, math, introductory sciences, and foundational courses within a major are often among the easiest to transfer and apply toward a degree.

However, not all credits transfer evenly from one institution to another. Acceptance can depend on factors such as course content alignment, the grade you earned, and how long ago the course was completed. Because policies vary, it is always a good idea to request a formal transfer credit evaluation to understand exactly how your community college credits will be applied.

Can Work or Military Experience Count as Transfer Credit?

Some colleges award transfer credit for relevant work experience, military training, or professional certifications through structured evaluation processes. This may include credit recommendations from recognized organizations, military transcript reviews, or portfolio-based assessments that document what you have learned outside the classroom.

Not every school offers prior learning credit, and the amount awarded can vary widely. Asking about these options early can help you identify schools that are more flexible and better suited to your background. When available, this type of credit can significantly reduce the number of courses you need to complete.

Do Transfer Credits Affect Financial Aid?

Transfer credits generally do not make you ineligible for financial aid, but they can influence how long you receive it. Financial aid is typically calculated based on the number of remaining credits you need to complete rather than the total length of the degree program.

Because each school administers aid slightly differently, it is important to understand how transferred credits affect your enrollment status and aid timeline. Speaking with a financial aid advisor can help clarify how your credits impact disbursements and ensure there are no surprises as you move toward graduation.

Explore Online Degrees That Accept Transfer Credits

Transfer-friendly online degrees can help you finish faster by building on the work you have already completed. To compare accredited programs, transfer policies, and degree options, explore online learning resources available through Learn.org.