10 Best Colleges That Accept Spring Transfers in 2025

After 12-plus years of lower-level education, most of us are accustomed to the school year starting in the fall. However, many transfer-friendly colleges offer admissions in the spring and even summer.

If you're unhappy at your current institution, it makes sense to look for online colleges starting soon � which typically offer weekly or monthly start dates. Keep reading to discover the best colleges that accept spring transfers.

Can You Transfer Colleges in the Spring?

While not all colleges and universities accept spring transfers, many do. This allows transfer students to start at the time that works best for them, or start sooner than if they had to wait for the fall semester.

Note that the application deadlines listed are for U.S residents; deadlines may be different for international students.

10 Best Colleges That Accept Spring Transfers

Several schools around the U.S. accept transfer students in the spring semester. We've highlighted some of the country's top universities that accept spring transfers below.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private, nonprofit research institution in Cambridge, MA. It accepts transfer students twice a year, in the spring and fall semesters � but the spring semester is only available to U.S. applicants.

There's no minimum GPA for transfer students; however, standardized test scores and letters of recommendation are required. MIT recommends that students take courses in calculus, physics, biology, and chemistry before transferring.

• Estimated tuition cost: $62,396 per year
• Application deadline: October 15
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

2. Rice University

At Rice University, students can transfer in the spring or fall semesters. Students are allowed to transfer up to 60 credit hours into undergraduate programs.

Rice University, a nonprofit, private research institution, is located in Houston. It requires transfer students to submit their high school transcripts, all college transcripts, and two letters of recommendation. Standardized test scores are recommended but not required for the admission process.

• Estimated tuition cost: $63,799 per year
• Application deadline: October 15
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

3. University of Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame offers spring and fall transfer opportunities for students with at least 24 transfer credits and one year of college enrollment. Notre Dame is a private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, IN.

In addition to official transcripts from high school and college, students must also submit a personal statement and their ACT or SAT scores. Individual majors may have additional transfer admissions requirements.

• Estimated tuition cost: $65,025 per year
• Application deadline: October 1
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

4. University of Michigan

Fall, winter, spring, and summer admissions are available for transfer students at the University of Michigan. The spring semester is a condensed, eight-week term that begins in May of each year, so students looking for spring admissions may want to consider the winter term that begins in January as well.

UMich, located in Ann Arbor, MI, is a public research university. It has transfer pathway options through many community colleges in the area, making the transfer and application process smoother.

• Estimated tuition cost: $17,736 per year (in-state); $60,946 per year (out-of-state)
• Application deadline: February 1
• Accreditation: HLC

5. Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis is a private, nonprofit research institution in St. Louis. It accepts transfer students during both the fall and spring semesters.

Spring transfer applicants must have completed at least one college semester and submit application materials, including high school and college transcripts and an instructor evaluation. International applicants must already be studying at a school in the U.S.

• Estimated tuition cost: $65,790 per year
• Application deadline: October 15
• Accreditation: HLC

6. New York University

Students at NYU can transfer into an academic program during the spring, summer, or fall. They'll need to submit all official transcripts and letters of recommendation, but many individual programs have additional requirements.

NYU, a nonprofit, private research university, is located in New York City. It offers information sessions to help transfer students understand its college admissions process.

• Estimated tuition cost: $62,796 per year
• Application deadline: October 15
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

7. University of Florida

The University of Florida allows college students to transfer in for the spring, summer, or fall semesters. UF is a public research institution in Gainesville, FL.

To qualify, students must have at least 60 college-level credit hours and a minimum 2.0 GPA. Individual colleges may have additional requirements.

• Estimated tuition cost: $6,381 per year (in-state); $28,659 per year (out-of-state)
• Application deadline: September 15
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. University of Texas at Austin

Summer, fall, and spring admissions are available for transfer students at the University of Texas at Austin. This option is available for students who have at least 24 semester hours of college coursework.

UT Austin is a public research university. It requires students to submit all official transcripts, a resume, and an essay as part of the transfer process.

• Estimated tuition cost: $11,688 per year (in-state); $44,908 per year (out-of-state)
• Application deadline: September 1
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. Georgia Tech University

The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta. It offers spring admissions to transfer students, as well as summer and fall admissions.

To qualify as a transfer student, you'll need to have completed at least 30 semester hours, which means you'll enter as at least a sophomore. You must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to qualify for transfer.

• Estimated tuition cost: $12,058 per year (in-state); $34,484 per year (out-of-state)
• Application deadline: September 15
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Through the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, students can transfer in the fall or spring. The application requires students to write an essay and list extracurricular activities, honors, and awards.

UIUC, a public university, is located in Champaign, IL. Students may have additional application requirements depending on their major.

• Estimated tuition cost: $16,004 per year (in-state); $35,124 per year (out-of-state)
• Application deadline: October 15
• Accreditation: HLC

How To Apply for a Spring Transfer

The first thing to do when applying for spring transfer is to check the transfer admissions requirements and application deadline.

Admissions requirements often include a minimum number of transfer credits and a minimum GPA. Deadlines for spring transfers are often in September or October.

Once you verify that you meet the requirements and have time to submit your application, you'll need to work on the application itself. Many schools use the CommonApp, but not all. Typical application requirements include items like:

• official high school and college transcripts
• standardized test scores
• extracurricular activities and work experience
• personal essays
• letters of recommendation
• an application fee or fee waiver

Once your application is completed, you may be able to track its process online. Most schools release admissions decisions for spring terms in November or December.

What To Look for in a Spring Transfer School

If you're transferring for the spring semester, there are several things you'll want to look for in your new school, including:

• a clear transfer application timeline and transfer process
• academic advising for mid-year transfer students
• acceptance of a large number of transfer credits; if you've already been in school for a while, you'll want to look at online colleges that accept most transfer credits
• degree planning support
• cost and financial aid
• on-campus housing availability, if applicable

Depending on your interests and goals, there may be other factors to consider, such as athletics or on-campus clubs.

Pros and Cons of Spring Transfer

There are a lot of good things about spring transfers. Transferring in the spring may allow you to start at your new school sooner and may work better for your schedule.

However, there can also be drawbacks, especially if you're planning on living on campus. It can be harder to secure ideal housing, and many students have already started forming friend groups.

FAQs About Spring College Transfers

Transferring in the spring can be exciting but nerve-wracking. We've answered some frequently asked questions about spring transfers to help you feel more prepared.

Is It Harder To Transfer in the Spring?

It can sometimes be harder to transfer in the spring. At some schools, spring admissions are more competitive than fall admissions. Spring admissions may also be limited to specific colleges or schools.

Do All Colleges Accept Spring Transfer Students?

No, not all colleges accept spring transfer students. There are many that only accept students in the fall.

Can I Get Financial Aid as a Spring Transfer?

Spring transfer students are entitled to the same financial aid as fall transfer students, and sometimes even first-year students. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to find out your eligibility.

How Many Credits Do I Need To Transfer Mid-Year?

The number of credits you need to transfer mid-year will depend on the institution. Some accept 15 to 24 credits, while others require you to have at least 60 credits to transfer, no matter what time of year.

Will I Graduate Later If I Transfer in the Spring?

Whether or not you'll graduate later if you transfer in the spring depends on your curriculum and how many transfer credits you bring in. It doesn't have much to do with what time of year you transfer.

Explore Transfer-Friendly Colleges

Find a great transfer-friendly college by exploring the programs on Learn.org. Contact individual schools for additional information on transfer requirements and the transfer process.