10 Online Colleges That Accept Transfer Credits in Missouri

Many online colleges in Missouri accept transfer credits. These include the University of Missouri, Maryville University, and Missouri State University.

If you're a transfer student planning to complete an online degree in Missouri, you may wonder which schools in your state have the most generous transfer policies. You want to be able to use your previously earned college credits toward your online program. Which colleges and universities will allow this?

Most of the higher education institutions in Missouri that offer distance learning are online colleges that accept transfer credits. Some have more generous transfer policies than others, allowing students to transfer unlimited credits as long as they were gained at an accredited school; others primarily accept transfer students from community colleges they have articulation agreements with and review all other applicants on a case-by-case basis.

Keep reading to find out more.

10 Best Online Colleges That Accept Transfer Credits in Missouri

Online students can use their transfer credits at Missouri colleges and universities. Let's look at top schools with online learning opportunities that accept transfer credits from other institutions.

1. Northwest Missouri State University

Northwest Missouri State University is a public school in Maryville that offers a variety of online courses and degree programs. Students can study fields such as:

  • business administration
  • human resource management
  • sociology

This school has a very straightforward credit transfer policy. Students must complete at least 30 hours and all major/minor requirements at the school, but an unlimited number of transfer credits will be accepted if they:

  • come from a school accredited by a regional accrediting body such as the Higher Learning Commission
  • are not vocational or technical (unless you enroll in a Bachelor of Applied Science program)
  • are not developmental or remedial courses

2. Fontbonne University

Fontbonne University is a small Catholic school enrolling fewer than 1,000 students. Its physical campus is in Clayton, but it provides a variety of remote degrees for those interested in online education.

Students at this school can transfer unlimited credits, though no more than 64 can come from a two-year school. Those with an associate degree or who have completed a Missouri Core 42 program are exempt from the school's general education requirements. Students can transfer general education courses and electives with a grade of D or higher and major courses with a C- grade or higher. Additionally, transfer students must:

  • complete at least 30 credit hours at Fontbonne
  • complete their final semester and at least 15 hours of upper-division coursework at Fontbonne
  • complete at least 50% of the major or minor required courses at Fontbonne

3. Maryville University

Maryville University is located in Town and Country. It provides a variety of online degrees in fields like criminal justice, social work, and digital media.

The school accepts credits from regionally accredited schools with a grade of C or better. Courses with a D grade are only accepted if you have an associate degree. The courses are not major or minor requirements. Additionally, you must:

  • complete your last 30 credit hours at Maryville
  • complete 50% of your major requirements at Maryville
  • transfer no more than 68 credits from a two-year school

4. Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University is a private school located in St. Louis. It has been around since 1818 and provides online degrees in fields such as:

  • data analytics
  • emergency management
  • nursing

You can transfer unlimited credits to this school if the courses are accepted. The school makes it easy to check your course equivalencies through Transferology. All transferred courses must:

  • have a C grade or better
  • do not count toward your GPA at the university
  • come from a regionally accredited or approved international school

5. Columbia College

Columbia College is a private school with campuses throughout the country and online. It is headquartered in Columbia. Various online programs are available and include:

  • healthcare
  • business
  • social sciences

Students at this school can transfer various kinds of credit, including college credit, military experience, and work or life experience. Dual enrollment and international baccalaureate credits are also accepted. Transcripts and other forms of credit are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

6. University of Central Missouri

The University of Central Missouri is located in Warrensburg. This public school offers college courses and degrees such as:

  • human development
  • marketing
  • education

All credits obtained from regionally accredited schools will be accepted. Additionally, students can transfer credits from the following sources:

  • exams
  • military experience
  • Core 42 program
  • international schools
  • prior learning experiences

7. University of Missouri

The University of Missouri is located in Columbia. This school offers many degree programs through its online campus, Mizzou Online. Areas of study include information technology, agriculture, and journalism.

The school provides a course equivalency tool to help you discover how courses from in-state and out-of-state institutions will transfer. Most courses from accredited schools are accepted, though some programs require transfer credit with a grade of C or better. Courses must not be:

  • technical or remedial courses
  • foreign language courses
  • courses not intended for a bachelor's degree

8. Southeast Missouri State University

Southeast Missouri State University is located in Cape Girardeau. This public school offers a variety of online degrees and programs, including many master's degrees.

All accepted courses from regionally accredited schools transfer to Southeast Missouri regardless of grade and count toward your overall GPA. The school has articulation agreements with community colleges throughout Missouri, making it easy for students at those schools to transfer seamlessly after receiving an associate degree.

9. Missouri Baptist University

Missouri Baptist University is located in Creve Coeur. This private school offers various online degrees in an array of subjects. Any credits from an accredited school will transfer to Missouri Baptist. Students may transfer up to 70 total credit hours into their program of choice.

10. Missouri State University

Missouri State University is a public school in Springfield. An array of undergraduate and graduate degrees and minors are available online.

Students can transfer unlimited courses to the school if they come from an accredited school and are not remedial or technical. Transferred courses count toward your overall GPA. Core 42 or associate degree programs fulfill the school's general education requirements.

Using Transfer Credits

Keep reading if you're still wondering how to use your transfer credits once you enter a new degree program. In this section, we'll answer some common questions you may have.

Should I Transfer Schools?

There are many good reasons to transfer to a new school. You may do so because of finances, you want to pursue a different major, or because you're unsatisfied with your current school. Spend some time considering why you want to transfer to a new school and look carefully for one that will help you meet your academic and career goals.

How Do I Use Transfer Credits?

You can use transfer credits to help you graduate with your degree faster. For example, a student with an associate degree can transfer as many as 60 or more credits to a four-year school; since they won't have to repeat all of those classes, they can graduate with a bachelor's degree in as little as a year or two. Regardless of the type of program you are enrolled in, the more transfer credits you have, the more quickly and affordably you can graduate.

What Can Be Used as Transfer Credits?

There are many different types of transfer credits. Most colleges accept transfer courses from other accredited colleges and universities, along with credit obtained during high school from dual enrollment courses or by taking credit exams such as the Advanced Placement (AP) test. Some schools also accept transfer credits from military service and some even award credit for relevant life experiences or certifications.

Will My Credits Transfer?

The type of degree you earn and the school you transfer to will affect whether all of your transfer credits can be applied to your new program. Learners are encouraged to check with their transfer institution to see which credits will transfer and which will not.

How Many Credits Can I Transfer?

Some schools accept unlimited transfer credits as long as they come from accredited schools. Most require students to complete at least the last 30 credits at the transfer institution to be able to graduate. Others allow a maximum of 60 to 90 transfer credits. Check with your school's transfer policy to understand how many credits you can transfer.