10 Online Colleges That Accept Transfer Credits in California

Students looking to transfer to an online college in California might wonder if their previously earned credit hours will be acknowledged by their new school. College courses that don't transfer often require students to retake the same classes, which can increase total college costs and even delay graduation.

Fortunately, many colleges in California accept transfer credits from community colleges and other accredited institutions. This allows students to apply their general education credits to complete a four-year degree program at a faster pace.

Continue reading to learn more about online schools that accept transfer credits and see how these processes work in California.

10 Best Online Colleges That Accept Transfer Credits in California

College credit can be transferred to multiple online colleges in California. Each school has its transfer enrollment requirements based on factors like GPA requirements and the accreditation status of your previous school. California has a system to make transferring credits easy; students may even be able to transfer credits from previous degree programs.

San Diego State Global University

SDSU Global University is an online college at San Diego State University. They offer multiple undergraduate degrees and certifications fully online. Some of their most popular online programs include business, education, and governmental studies.

The SDSU transfer credit policies include the following:

• Students must have earned a minimum of 60 credit hours (the equivalent of an associate degree) at an accredited university or community college.
• Students must meet the GPA required for their chosen major, different majors at SDSU have different GPA requirements.
• Students must have completed at least 30 general education credit hours.
• Students must pay a $70 application fee.

California State University Online

California State University Online (Cal State) is part of the California State University (CSU) network of 23 on-campus locations across the state and uses resources from them all. The school offers 10 programs that students can complete online with transfer credits.

CSU has four distinct pathways for transfer, each with its own distinct policies:

• Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT): Students must have completed an associate degree program from a California Community College (CCC) before applying. They must have completed 18 semester units in a single major area and general education courses, and submit all official transcripts by the deadline.
• Lower-Division Transfer: Students must have completed 59 or fewer credit hours before application, have a high school diploma or equivalent, meet all of the requirements for an incoming freshman, and have a high school GPA of 2.0.
• Upper-Division Transfer: Students must have a 2.0 GPA, must have completed more than 60 credit hours, be eligible to stay at their current school, and completed 10 general education requirements in certain areas.
• Transfer Success Pathway: Students must be first-year students in a CCC, ineligible to attend CSU at the time of high school graduation, or have financial reasons for not attending.

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda University is a Seventh-Day Adventist university focusing on healthcare-related degree programs, including Health Informatics, Nursing, and Mental Health Services. These programs can be studied at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including multiple certification options for further specialization.

The transfer credit policies at this university include:

• general education credits must be completed at a liberal arts school; credits will only be accepted for introductory classes if they are taken before more advanced courses in the same subject
• minimum transfer GPA of 2.0 or C-
• maximum of 105 quarter-credit units

San Jose State University

San Jose State University (SJSU) consistently tops rankings from third-party organizations like Forbes and U.S. News and World Report for criteria like value, innovation, and individual programs. The school uses the CSU transfer eligibility system for its online programs and its on-campus offerings. SJSU uses a system called impaction to weigh these factors against each other.

SJSU's transfer credit policies are as follows:

• students must have completed four core courses (basic skills detailed by CSU) as part of their general education credit hours
• students must have a 2.0 GPA for consideration
• students must have a satisfactory impaction score

Point Loma Nazarene University

Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) offers 10 fully online undergraduate degree programs, including RN to BSN programs, criminal justice, and business administration. PLNU evaluates transferable courses on an individual basis and doesn't have many criteria that must be met for transfer applicants.

Students can only bring a maximum of 70 credit hours total. This includes all credits from an accredited university or community college, advanced placement (AP) or CLEP examinations, and any credits earned internationally.

Chico State Online (California State University - Chico)

Chico State Online has multiple programs that allow students to complete a degree they start at another school or use credits earned at a community college to work towards a four-year degree. Their online courses include degree programs like social sciences, religious studies, and humanities.

Students must select a pathway and qualify for the individual requirements of each path. Chico State is part of the CSU network; it uses the same four pathways as the other schools, including Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), Lower-Division Transfer, Upper-Division Transfer, or Transfer Success Pathway.

Hope International University

Hope International University is a Christian-based university with its main campus in Fullerton, however, its online courses allow students from community colleges and universities across the state to transfer and complete their degrees at HIU.

To transfer credits, students must submit their full transcripts at the time of application. HIU has no minimum number of transfer credits, but a transcript is still required. Students should also check the transfer guide for their college or university; HIU has individual guides for different community colleges

William Jessup University

William Jessup University allows students to pursue two online options: asynchronous or remote. Asynchronous studies are independent of on-campus courses. Learners will complete work and review material on their schedule, provided they meet scheduled deadlines. Remote students attend scheduled courses virtually, without attending any on-campus courses.

Transfer credit policies at this university include:

• students can transfer a maximum of 90 credits, but there is no minimum
• a maximum of 70 credits can come from international baccalaureate credits, AP, or CLEP examinations
• WJU has no listed minimum GPA, students who have completed more than 30 college credit hours will have their transcripts reviewed before acceptance

Touro University

Touro University Worldwide was originally located in New York, but it also recently opened a campus in Los Angeles. As a result, the school has opened up transfer partnerships with many of the California Community Colleges that will allow students to transfer their community college credits to TUW easily.

Transfer credit policies require students to:

• be a high school graduate or have a GED
• have a minimum GPA of 2.0 from an accredited school
• submit official transcripts (unofficial transcripts can be used to speed up the review process until official transcripts can be provided)

The University of La Verne

The University of La Verne offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs online and accepts transfer students to come into any program.

To transfer credits, students can qualify for the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) to guarantee admission. They can transfer a maximum of 88 credit hours to a bachelor's degree and up to 40 for an associate degree.

How We Rank Schools

When selecting the best online colleges in California that accept transfer credits, we focus on factors that matter most to students. Each school is evaluated for accessibility, transfer flexibility, and overall educational value.

• Accreditation: Every college on our list holds recognized regional or national accreditation, confirming that credits can be transferred and degrees meet educational standards.
• Credit transfer policy: We review each school’s policy for credit acceptance, including minimum GPA requirements, articulation agreements, and limits on transferable credits.
• Affordability: Schools are chosen for their reasonable tuition rates and availability of financial aid, scholarships, or tuition payment plans for transfer students.
• Program reputation: Each program has a record of student success, positive faculty engagement, or recognition from third-party evaluators for its academic quality.

How To Transfer College Credits Step by Step

Understanding the process of transferring college credits can make the transition smoother and help you avoid repeating courses. Below are three key steps to follow when transferring your credits to a new online college in California.

1. Review Accreditation and Course Equivalencies

Before transferring, check whether your previous college is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Then, compare your completed courses with the transfer guide or articulation agreements of your target school to determine which credits will apply.

2. Submit Transcripts and Supporting Documents

Gather official transcripts from all institutions you’ve attended and send them to your prospective college’s admissions office. Some schools allow you to submit unofficial copies initially for faster evaluation, but official versions will be required before final credit approval.

3. Confirm Transfer Credits and Enrollment

After your credits are evaluated, review your transfer summary to ensure all eligible courses are applied to your degree plan. Once confirmed, you can finalize your enrollment and work with an advisor to select remaining classes and create a path to graduation.

FAQs About Using Transfer Credits

If you’re transferring to an online college in California, you may have a few questions about how the process works. Here are answers to common concerns students often have when planning their transfer.

Should I Transfer Schools?

Transferring schools can be a good move if your current college doesn’t offer the major you need or if you’re looking for lower tuition. Many students also transfer to switch from on-campus to online learning for added flexibility.

However, it’s important to confirm that your credits will transfer before leaving your current school. Doing so ensures that you don’t lose progress or end up retaking courses unnecessarily.

What Can Be Used as Transfer Credits?

Transfer credits usually include coursework from accredited colleges, but other learning experiences can count too. Some schools accept Advanced Placement (AP) exams, College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) scores, or military service credits.

Work or professional experience can also qualify for credit at certain institutions. Policies differ widely, so it’s best to ask your transfer counselor which alternative credits are accepted.

Will My Credits Transfer?

Each college sets its own policies, so not all credits transfer the same way. Even if your previous school is accredited, your new college will evaluate whether each course matches their curriculum.

To avoid surprises, review the transfer credit policy and talk to an admissions advisor before applying. They can help you estimate how many credits will count toward your new degree.

How Many Credits Can I Transfer?

Most online colleges in California allow students to transfer between 30 and 90 credits, depending on the degree level and subject area. Bachelor’s programs often have caps to ensure students complete enough credits at their new institution.

Community college graduates with associate degrees usually transfer the most credits toward a four-year program. Always check each school’s policy to understand how much of your past work will apply.

Find Flexible Online Degrees

Completing your degree is easier when you choose a school that values your past coursework. Explore accredited online programs on Learn.org to find flexible options that recognize your transfer credits and help you reach graduation sooner.