20 Interesting Stats about College Transfers

Forbes once poetically dubbed the college transfer process (particularly for highly competitive Ivy League colleges) “the road seldom traveled.” While it’s true that it’s not an easy task, you shouldn’t let that stop you from blazing your own trail—without compromise. Today, let’s discuss what you need to know about college transfers, from statistical trends and facts to acing your transfer applications.

If you’re considering transferring colleges, there’s no time like the present!

To better understand what the landscape of college transfers looks like in American higher education, let’s take a deep dive into the numbers.

Where does the process start, and how common is it these days? What are your alternatives? Next, we’ll cover averages, trends, and motivating factors behind this complex and personal decision in your educational journey.

Unsurprisingly, for students who are unhappy with their current college experience, dropping out of school seems like a tempting idea. If you’re overwhelmed, you may be more likely to give up as opposed to taking a risk and starting on a new campus all over again.

Surprisingly, however, you may not know how common dropping out of college actually is.

1. College dropout rates indicate that as much as 39 percent of first-time, full-time bachelor’s degree-seeking students do not complete their degree program within eight (8) years.*
2. Most college students who drop out of school do so in the first academic year.*
3. Adults who are both out of school and have some college with no credentials (SC/NC) account for approximately 12.6 percent of the national population.*
4. For every current undergraduate, there are two (2) SCNCs nationwide.*
5. College dropouts make an average of 35 percent less income than bachelor’s degree holders.*
6. College dropouts are 20 percent more likely to be unemployed than any degree holder.*

*Source: Hanson, Melanie. “College Dropout Rates” EducationData.org, August 16, 2024, https://educationdata.org/college-dropout-rates

So, dropping out of college is not ideal for several reasons. If you’re considering leaving your current institution but want to continue your education, it’s important to explore transfer options early. By transferring, you can avoid losing credits, reduce the financial impact of starting over, and preserve your academic progress. Seek academic advisors or professional counselors who can help you understand how your credits will transfer and identify schools with stronger support systems for your personal and academic needs. 

While there may be extenuating circumstances that prevent your enrollment, if you are able to consider other options, then a college transfer might be just the remedy you need. Let’s explore this alternative pathway a little further.

Exactly how many students apply to transfer colleges each year in the US?

1. In a 2015 report, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center showed that 37.2 percent (more than a third) of college students transfer at least once within six (6) years.
2. In fall 2022, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that the approximate total number of degree-seeking undergraduate students who were enrolled in postsecondary institutions as transfer-in students was as high as 1,206,316!

So, is the number of transfer students on the rise?

1. Actually, yes. And that’s a good thing. In general, college transfer enrollment grew in the fall of 2023 by 5.3 percent compared to the fall of 2022 (+62,600), according to a recent report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. However, with increasing numbers of students looking to transfer, competition for spots at top-tier universities is also on the rise. To stand out, transfer applicants should focus on demonstrating strong academic performance, a clear sense of purpose, and a compelling narrative in their application essays. Admissions officers will be looking for students who can articulate why transferring is essential to their academic and career goals.

How many of these college transfer students successfully graduate with a degree?

1. Most of them! According to a study by Inside Higher Ed, 60 percent of community college students who transferred to a four-year school earned their bachelor's degree within four years… and 12 percent continued to work toward their degree after the four-year mark.
2. IHE also reported that 71 percent of transfer students who came in with an associate's degree or certificate completed their bachelor's degree program in four years… and 9 percent remained enrolled, working toward their degree.

Wondering what are the most common reasons for transferring colleges? There are plenty. Some of the most oft-cited motivations behind transferring colleges include… 

1. Community College Transfer: Forbes shared that community college transfers represent around 15 percent of total new enrollments at four-year universities in the US. These students typically enroll in local colleges for general education courses while planning to complete their degree at four-year institutions in the future.
2. Changing Major or Program: According to the National Center for Education Statistics, around 30 percent of undergraduates changed their declared major at least once. If your decision to switch subjects has led to a different department—or campus—than the one you started at, sometimes a change is inevitable.
3. Likewise, in a BestColleges survey, 61 percent of college graduate respondents said they would change their major if they could go back. What does that mean? There are plenty of alumni who wish they could have made the leap to change. If you’re considering changing majors while transferring, it’s important to thoroughly research the programs at your prospective schools. Look at course prerequisites, and ensure that as many of your credits as possible will apply to the new major. Be proactive in reaching out to admissions or academic advisors to confirm the process—and make sure you’re meeting all the necessary requirements.
4. International Transfer: In 2019, U.S. colleges enrolled nearly 1.1 million international students. Some of these students are in the U.S. on study abroad programs, while others aim to complete their degree in the U.S. For many, American universities can give international students access to better career opportunities than what they're afforded in their home countries.
5. Returning Students: A recent report from the National Student Clearinghouse found that close to 1 million students who left college returned within five (5) years to finish their degree or certificate program. If you’re returning to education after a significant gap, your situation and priorities have likely changed.

1. You’ll need to be prepared when it comes to your credits. Inside Higher Ed reported that more than 40 percent of students who seek to transfer academic credits from one college lose a “meaningful proportion” of those credits…
2. … and 15 percent are unable to transfer any credits at all. To avoid this, start by requesting a credit evaluation from the schools you’re interested in as early as possible. It’s also helpful to match your current coursework with equivalent courses at your target institution, using resources like articulation agreements or transfer credit databases. Additionally, stay in close contact with the registrar’s office or a transfer counselor to ensure that your credits align with your new major and school requirements.

What is the most common grade to transfer colleges?

1. First or second-year college students (aka freshman or sophomores) are the most likely to complete a successful school transfer. In fact, experts advise against transferring colleges in the third or fourth years (aka junior or senior year), “as they can lose [significant] credits or run out of available financial aid.”

Do you know any famous transfer students?

1. Yes! There are plenty. Some famous transfer students you might recognize include Former President of the United States Barack Obama, actor Tom Hanks, billionaire Warren Buffett, and creator Walt Disney. And, it could include you.

At Empowerly, our transfer students have been admitted to some of the top 50 schools in the US, such as UC Berkeley, UCLA, Boston College, NYU, Northwestern, Purdue, Stanford, University of Virginia, and the University of Pennsylvania, just to name a few!

However, due to the relatively limited number of transfer students we’ve helped apply to each college so far, we don’t have adequate numbers to represent average acceptance rates for specific campuses.

Other Empowerly transfer successes as of 2024 include:

• Barnard College
• Brandeis University
• California State University, Long Beach
• Cornell University
• Fordham University
• Northeastern University
• Occidental College
• Southern Methodist University
• Texas Tech University
• The University of California Irvine Santa Barbara Santa Cruz San Diego
• University of Chicago
• University of Houston
• The University of Maryland, College Park
• The University of Rochester
• University of Southern California
• Vanderbilt University

Curious to see what this process looks like, in action? Let’s take a look at three real Empowerly student journeys to better understand what it looks like from the student perspective, from start to finish. 

Student profile:

• GPA 3.5
• Tests: 28 ACT
• Activities: intramural swim, volunteering

This student needed help transferring from her current school, Baylor University, after taking a gap year. She was looking for help to further develop her interests and extracurricular activities, find the right school, and complete her transfer application. 

She joined in August 2021 and spent 8 months with Empowerly. In that time, she and her counselor:

• Conducted a comprehensive assessment and revisions of her student resume.
• Researched schools and developed a college list that matched her interests.
• Worked closely together on brainstorming essay topics that effectively conveyed her unique experiences and motivations.
• Developed a personalized application strategy for each university, highlighting the student’s strengths and unique qualities.
• Refined personal and supplemental essays between the counselor and the editing team.
• Assisted in the submission of all application materials, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and test scores.
• Discussed college acceptances and weighed the pros and cons of each.

Following her counseling sessions, this student gained acceptance to several top colleges including Boston University, New York University, and Northeastern University!

Student profile:

• GPA 3.58
• Tests: 1260 SAT
• Activities: computer science, AI programs

This student joined Empowerly with the goal of transferring from community college to a four-year institution and earning a degree in computer science, preferably at a college close to his home. 

With his counselor, this student was able to thoroughly prepare for his transfer with the following support during his counseling sessions:

• Conducted individualized counseling sessions, tailored to the student’s unique academic situation and goals, offering specific advice and support.
• Offered personalized advice to ensure the student selected the right courses to meet the prerequisites for his desired computer science major(s).
• Provided comprehensive guidance to the student for the transfer admission process, including coursework, deadlines, and application requirements for transferring to a four-year institution.
• Crafted a strategic timeline for the application process, keeping the student on track with submissions and academic milestones.
• Assisted in drafting and conducting extensive editing to make his essays outstanding to admissions committees.

Through all of this hard work, this student earned acceptances to top schools including Purdue, Stony Brook, CU Boulder, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, UC Santa Cruz, and Lawrence Technological University!

Student profile:

• GPA: 3.98
• Tests: 1560 SAT
• Activities: top 10% of class, leadership officer

This student joined us in December 2022 seeking help transferring schools. We assisted him in creating a standout transfer application, filled with compelling personal statements and impactful recommendation letters to achieve his dream.

In sessions, this student and his Empowerly counselor:

• Conducted in-depth research to help narrow down his college list.
• Went through the Coalition app and answered questions together.
• Guided essay writing and adapting essays to each possible university.
• Created a brag sheet to demonstrate leadership skills beyond the resume.
• Facilitated the student’s journey, providing valuable feedback, and offering insightful suggestions.
• Assisted in the completion and submission of applications. 

This student’s dedication combined with our meticulous attention to detail, resulted in a remarkable achievement! Other acceptance letters included Columbia, Cornell, Princeton, Yale, Dartmouth, and other top universities.

Ready for more? Here’s how to get started! When preparing to transfer colleges, there are three main pillars where students should focus their attention: extracurricular activities, academic performance, and application materials.

These are the main areas that expert college counselors, like Empowerly, will help develop with your transfer student profile.

• Internships
• Research
• Summer programs
• Community service

• Course selection
• Major preparations

• Fulfillment of transfer requirements
• College list creation
• Major selection
• Essay writing and editing
• Recommendation letters
• Scholarships and financial aid
• Deferral and/or waitlist strategy
• Resume development

Additionally, you’ll want to be sure you can financially prepare for tuition and other costs. As you’re preparing to transition, don’t forget to make a college funding plan.

• Research Transfer-Specific Scholarships: Many schools offer scholarships specifically for transfer students, but these can be competitive. Make sure to apply early.

• Understand Your Aid Package: Speak with the financial aid office at your prospective school to understand what aid, if any, will transfer with you. Don’t be afraid to ask detailed questions about tuition, housing costs, and available scholarships.

• File the FAFSA Early: Many schools require the FAFSA for transfer students just as they do for incoming freshmen. File early to maximize your eligibility for federal and state aid.

Of course, this brief overview is only the beginning. If you want to learn more about how to apply these elements to your individual journey, consider talking with a professional counselor to develop a bulletproof college transfer strategy. While it may be a difficult undertaking, there’s no reason you should have to stick it out at a school that no longer serves your needs.

Empowerly can help. Our college counselors are the best-rated in the country and have proven to improve college admission rates by 11x. Join the 98% of students who have worked with Empowerly and been accepted into Ivy League and top 25 schools. We can help you, too.