10 Best Colleges for Transfer Students: Transfer-Friendly Universities

Transfer students are students who start their higher education at one institution, then switch to another. There are many reasons a student may want to transfer schools; perhaps they have changed their major, want to live somewhere else, or simply don't like their current school.

Luckily, there are many on-campus and online universities that accept transfer credits. Keep reading to discover the best colleges for transfer students.

What Makes a College Transfer-Friendly?

Several things make a college more transfer-friendly. These include:

• Higher acceptance rates: Some schools have low admissions rates for transfer students. Cornell University, for example, only accepts 12.7% of transfer applicants. A transfer-friendly school has a high acceptance rate.
• Accepts more transfer credits: Transfer-friendly colleges accept a large number of transfer credits; many will accept up to 90 or so credit hours, while others have no specific limit.
• Lower minimum GPA requirements: Lower minimum GPA requirements are more achievable for more students.
• Dedicated transfer admissions teams: Transfer teams are responsible for helping students figure out the transfer process and are important for students to maximize their transfer credits.
• Transfer scholarships: Many colleges and universities provide scholarships specifically for transfer students.
• Partners with community colleges: If a school partners with your community college, it makes the transfer process much smoother.

Best Colleges for Transfer Students

Many colleges and universities across the U.S. have a higher acceptance rate for transfer students than for first-time freshmen; however, their admissions rates are still low, and the admissions requirements can be challenging to meet. Below, we've featured some of the best colleges with high transfer acceptance rates, easy-to-meet admissions requirements, and that accept a large number of transfer credits.

1. National University

National University is a private, nonprofit institution in San Diego, CA. It offers associate through doctoral degrees on campus and online in fields like business, education, engineering, and healthcare.

The university will accept as many transfer credits as possible, as long as they have a grade of C- or higher. It also offers a few different scholarship opportunities for transfer students.

• Estimated tuition cost: $13,284 per yer
• Maximum transfer credits: No set maximum
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WASCUC)

2. University of Massachusetts Global

At UMass Global, students can earn an undergraduate or graduate degree in areas such as arts, business, education, and sciences. The transfer team works to allow students to transfer as many credits as possible.

UMass Global is a private, nonprofit affiliate of the public University of Massachusetts system and is located in Aliso Viejo, CA. It has partnerships with multiple community colleges in California, Massachusetts, and Washington.

• Estimated tuition cost: $12,540 per year
• Maximum transfer credits: No set maximum
• Accreditation: WASCUC

3. Penn State World Campus

Penn State World Campus offers online degrees in fields like business, education, healthcare, and technology. It's the online campus of the public Pennsylvania State University System.

Students can transfer however many qualifying credits they have, as long as their GPA in that class is at least 2.0. However, students must complete at least 36 upper-division credits through Penn State World Campus.

• Estimated tuition cost: $15,356 per year
• Maximum transfer credits: No set maximum
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

4. Franklin University

Students at Franklin University can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees online and on campus in areas of study such as business, education, nursing, and public administration. Transfer students can bring in up to 94 semester credits into their bachelor's degrees.

Franklin University, located in Columbus, OH, is a private, nonprofit institution geared toward adult learners. It has community college partnerships with schools in Ohio and across the U.S.

• Estimated tuition cost: $9,577 per year
• Maximum transfer credits: 94 semester credits
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

5. Empire State University

Empire State University is a public institution in Saratoga Springs, NY. It's part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees primarily online.

SUNY Empire accepts up to 93 credits for bachelor's degrees, with a letter grade of C- or above. The school offers many flexible transfer options within the SUNY system.

• Estimated tuition cost: $7,648 per year (in-state); $17,558 per year (out-of-state)
• Maximum transfer credits: 93 semester credits
• Accreditation: MSCHE

6. Southern New Hampshire University

Associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees are available at Southern New Hampshire University in a number of fields, including business, criminal justice, education, and liberal arts. The university accepts up to 90 transfer credits for online bachelor's programs.

SNHU, a private nonprofit institution, is located in Manchester, NH, and is best known for its wide variety of online degrees. It has partnerships with hundreds of community colleges across the nation.

• Estimated tuition cost: $17,200 per year
• Maximum transfer credits: 90 semester credits
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

7. Herzing University

Herzing University offers on-campus and online undergraduate and graduate degrees in areas of study such as business, healthcare, public administration, and technology. Herzing is a private, nonprofit institution based in Milwaukee, but has a dozen campuses across the U.S.

The university allows students to transfer in up to 90 credits of coursework into most bachelor's degree programs. It also offers a free credit evaluation before you apply, so you know what credits will transfer before you begin your first year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $13,450 per year
• Maximum transfer credits: 90 semester credits
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Thomas Edison State University

Through Thomas Edison State University, students can earn associate through doctoral degrees in fields such as biology, computer science, healthcare, and social sciences. It accepts up to 90 credits from community colleges and unlimited credits from accredited four-year institutions, but students must complete a course on information literacy and their capstone course at TESU.

TESU, located in Trenton, NJ, is a public university. It has articulation agreements with schools in New Jersey as well as many in other parts of the country.

• Estimated tuition cost: $6,838 per year (in-state); $8,856 per year (out-of-state)
• Maximum transfer credits: 90 semester credits from a community college; unlimited from four-year schools
• Accreditation: MSCHE

9. University of Maryland Global Campus

The University of Maryland Global Campus is the online branch of the public University of Maryland system. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in several areas, including business, education, healthcare, and information technology.

Students can transfer up to 70 credits from an approved community college or up to 90 credits from a four-year institution into their bachelor's program. UMGC has transfer agreements with all Maryland community colleges as well as over 90 community colleges throughout the country.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,136 per year (in-state); $12,336 per year (out-of-state)
• Maximum transfer credits: 90 semester credits
• Accreditation: MSCHE

10. Charter Oak State College

Associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees are available online at Charter Oak State College in fields like business, criminal justice, education, and social sciences. It allows community college students and those from accredited four-year colleges to transfer in up to 87 credits.

Charter Oak is a public college located in New Britain, CT. It offers a special tuition rate for those transferring from Connecticut community colleges.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,506 per year
• Maximum transfer credits: 87 semester credits
• Accreditation: NECHE

Transfer Admissions Requirements

Transfer policies and admissions processes vary between universities. However, most have a few basic admissions requirements:

• A minimum number of college credits: Most schools won't consider you a transfer student unless you have 20 or 30 credits. If you have less, your school may still accept your credits, but you'll be considered a first-year student.
• Minimum GPA: A minimum GPA is a common requirement for many schools; you may find requirements anywhere from 2.0 to over 3.0. If you have a lower amount of transfer credits, you may need to have a minimum high school GPA as well.
• Accreditation:Most colleges and universities will require that your credits come from a regionally accredited institution.
• Test scores: For students who have a lower number of transfer credits, ACT/SAT scores may be required.

Depending on the college application process, you may also need to submit things like letters of recommendation, extracurriculars, or personal essays.

Note that even if a school allows you to transfer credits from a completed degree, like an associate degree, it's possible that not all of your credits may transfer. General education credits are generally easy to transfer, but if you've changed majors, some upper-level coursework may no longer apply.

Tips for a Smooth Transfer Process

Whether you're a community college transfer or coming from a four-year college, there are a few things you can do to ease the process as you transfer schools.

If you know ahead of time that you're going to want to transfer, plan your credits strategically. Work with your advisor to determine what courses will transfer so you know which classes to select. They can also help you determine which four-year colleges have transfer agreements with your current school.

As you go through your coursework, do your best to keep your grades up. This will increase your chances of getting into the school you want to attend. Consider building relationships with professors so you have someone to write a letter of recommendation if needed.

Once you choose the school you'll transfer to, reach out to the admissions department. Their transfer team can help walk you through their college admissions process and determine which of your credits will transfer. They'll also help you determine what courses you still need for your major at your new school.

FAQs About Transfer-Friendly Colleges

Transferring colleges can help you get closer to your career goals or give you a fresh start. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about colleges with high transfer acceptance rates and the transfer process in general.

What Is the Lowest GPA Typically Accepted for Transfer Students?

Every school sets its own GPA requirements. Some, including several listed above, will accept a GPA as low as 2.0, but that's usually the lowest GPA you can have.

Is It Easier To Get Into College if You Transfer?

At many top schools, you have a better chance of acceptance if you transfer. For example:

• New York University (NYU) accepts 8% of freshman applicants but 37% of transfers
• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) accepts 8.7% of freshmen but 26.3% of transfers
• Vanderbilt University accepts 6.3% of freshman applicants but 18.9% of transfers
• University of Southern California (USC) accepts 10% of freshmen but 24.4% of transfers

Many other schools, including UC Berkeley, Notre Dame, the University of Michigan, and the University of North Carolina, as well as Ivy League schools, have higher acceptance rates for transfer students than for freshmen applicants.

Is It Ever Too Late To Transfer Colleges?

Generally speaking, it's best to transfer before your senior year, as many schools require transfer students to earn at least 30 or so transfer credits through them to graduate. However, it's still possible to transfer during your senior year.

The most common times for students to transfer are after their sophomore year, once they've completed all general education requirements or earned an associate degree. Many students transfer after their first year if they aren't happy at their current school or want to change their major.

Find the Best College as a Transfer Student

Find the perfect new school for you by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about transfer admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.