[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you’re thinking about switching to another university, you are not alone. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, [hen-ui-link href=”https://nscresearchcenter.org/transfer-and-progress/” target=”_blank”]13.2% of students[/hen-ui-link] transferred colleges in 2023, up from 12.5% in 2022 —a growth of 5.3%.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Transferring from one college to another isn’t always easy. Every school sets its own policies regarding prerequisites, credit acceptance, and degree recognition.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The good news is that transferring between colleges has become increasingly commonplace, especially if you’re transitioning from a traditional in-person program to an online college. The [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/online-colleges/”]best online colleges[/hen-ui-link] have simplified the transfer process to accommodate the growing number of aspiring transfer students.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Use our guide below to explore how transfer credits work and discover a few of the many online colleges that accept maximum transfer credits.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”shadow” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Do Online Colleges Accept Transfer Credits?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes! Most [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/online-colleges/popular-online-colleges/”]accredited online colleges[/hen-ui-link] accept transfer credits. Many online colleges operate on the premise that they are serving busy nontraditional students who may have prior educational experience and even prior college degrees.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This is why most online colleges allow students to transfer college credits. You just have to meet a few basic criteria first.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content] [/hen-ui-card] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Know if Your College Credits Are Transferable: 4 Key Criteria Points[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Transferring college credits is a common practice. However, not all credits are created equal. While many online schools accept transfer credits, they have standards for which credits they can accept.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Accreditation[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”xs”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Accredited online schools typically only accept transfer credits from other regionally accredited institutions. [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.chea.org/regional-accrediting-organizations” target=”_blank”]Regional accrediting agencies[/hen-ui-link], such as the Higher Learning Commission and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, provide accreditation to schools within their geographic region.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.chea.org/institutional-accrediting-organizations-accreditor-type” target=”_blank”]National accrediting agencies[/hen-ui-link], such as the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, offer accreditation to specific kinds of schools. While some nationally accredited schools provide quality educational programs, [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/transferring-credits-and-school-accreditation/”]credits from nationally accredited schools[/hen-ui-link] are usually much more difficult to transfer to another institution.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Academic Record[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”xs”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Your GPA also plays into whether your new school will accept your credits. Generally speaking, you need at least a 2.0 (C average) for your credits to count. Although some schools will evaluate a D on a case-by-case basis, you typically need a C or higher in each course you want to transfer.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Pass-fail courses may also require additional steps for approval to transfer. If you have questions about how your academic record could affect your transfer options, check with your registrar’s office.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Two-Year Degree[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It’s also important to remember that transferring an entire two-year degree, like an associate degree, is generally easier than a handful of loose credits. However, the credits from your [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/associates/”]associate degree[/hen-ui-link] may need to be relevant to your [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/bachelors/affordable/”]online bachelor’s degree program[/hen-ui-link] in order to transfer.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Articulation Agreements[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/best-community-colleges/”]community colleges[/hen-ui-link] and universities have articulation agreements that allow you to complete your first two years of [hen-ui-link href=”/magazine/pros-cons-community-college/”]study at a community college[/hen-ui-link] before seamlessly transferring your credits to a four-year university, where you can complete your bachelor’s degree program. The process may be as simple as completing a certain amount of general education credits and maintaining a minimum GPA.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Many Credits Can You Transfer?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most schools that accept transfer credits set a cap of 90 credits on what can be applied toward a degree. In other words, you may find that not all your credits count toward your graduation requirements. For example, your new school may require upper-level courses that your previous school did not offer.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There is also a minimum number of credits you must earn to be considered a transfer student. This number varies by school. A college could require a minimum of 12-30 transfer credits. If you have less than the minimum, you will likely be treated as a new student rather than as a transfer student.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How to Transfer the Most College Credits[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Typically, [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/bachelors/online-degree-completion-programs/”]degree completion programs[/hen-ui-link] provide the most flexible transfer options. Often, these programs accept 90 transfer credits, letting you complete your bachelor’s degree program in one year or less. However, most schools only let you transfer credits from accredited institutions where you earned a minimum 2.0 GPA or higher.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Check transfer policies at the schools you are considering before you make a final decision. Getting a firm answer from your admissions counselor about which courses will transfer and how they will count toward your graduation requirements is best.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]8 Online Colleges That Accept Max Transfer Credits[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There are many online schools that have generous transfer credit policies. Depending on how many of your transfer credits are accepted, you could graduate in as little as a year. The schools below are just a few examples of the many online schools with maximum transfer credit policies.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]8 Online Schools That Accept Transfer Credits[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Colleges and Universities[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Max Transfer Credits (Bachelor’s)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Max Transfer Credits (Master’s)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Minimum Grade Required (Credit for Undergrad Courses)[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”][hen-ui-link href=”https://admission.asu.edu/apply/transfer/transferring-credits” target=”_blank”]Arizona State University Online[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Colleges and Universities”]64* (Up to 90)[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Max Transfer Credits (Bachelor’s)”]12[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Max Transfer Credits (Master’s)”]C-[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.charteroak.edu/catalog/current/sources_credit/college_transfer_credit.php#” target=”_blank”]Charter Oak State College[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Colleges and Universities”]87[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Max Transfer Credits (Bachelor’s)”]6[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Max Transfer Credits (Master’s)”]D-[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”][hen-ui-link href=”https://explore.excelsior.edu/UWBRAND_V2.html” target=”_blank”]Excelsior College[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Colleges and Universities”]113[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Max Transfer Credits (Bachelor’s)”]15[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Max Transfer Credits (Master’s)”]C-[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.franklin.edu/transferring-credit” target=”_blank”]Franklin University[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Colleges and Universities”]94[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Max Transfer Credits (Bachelor’s)”]12[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Max Transfer Credits (Master’s)”]D[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.purdueglobal.edu/transfer-students/” target=”_blank”]Purdue University Global[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Colleges and Universities”]90[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Max Transfer Credits (Bachelor’s)”]30[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Max Transfer Credits (Master’s)”]C-[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.snhu.edu/admission/transferring-credits” target=”_blank”]Southern New Hampshire University[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Colleges and Universities”]90[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Max Transfer Credits (Bachelor’s)”]12[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Max Transfer Credits (Master’s)”]C-[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.phoenix.edu/tuition-financial-aid/transfer-credits.html” target=”_blank”]University of Phoenix[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Colleges and Universities”]87[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Max Transfer Credits (Bachelor’s)”]9[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Max Transfer Credits (Master’s)”]C-[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.wgu.edu/admissions/transfers.html” target=”_blank”]Western Governors University[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Colleges and Universities”]90[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Max Transfer Credits (Bachelor’s)”]Varies by degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Max Transfer Credits (Master’s)”]C-[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Transfer Credits From One College to Another: 5 Key Steps[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you’re transferring from an accredited community college or four-year school, most accredited online colleges will accept your previously earned credits. The process can be a bit tricky, so we’ve broken it down into five easy steps to help walk you through it.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”number”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Contact Your Prospective School: Contact the office of the registrar or admissions office to confirm that the school accepts transfer credits and ask about specific credit transfer requirements.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Apply to the School: Once you’ve confirmed the school accepts transfer credits, you’ll need to apply and follow the transfer student application process.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Gather Your Transcripts and Required Documents: Upon acceptance, you’ll need to gather or contact your previous schools to request official transcripts and any other required documents.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Submit Your Transcripts and Paperwork for Credit Evaluation: Many colleges let you submit your transcripts and paperwork online to estimate transfer credits. Finalizing credits typically takes around four weeks.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Review Your Credit Evaluation: Once your evaluation is finalized, review the credits your school has accepted. If the results don’t meet your expectations, consider applying to other programs to see if they accept more transfer credits.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Financial Aid Works for Transfer Students[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Transferring schools can affect your [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/college-finances/online-college-financial-aid/”]financial aid package[/hen-ui-link]. Scholarships, grants, and loans don’t always transfer with you. If you qualified for federal aid at your old school, chances are you will still qualify at your new school, but that’s not automatic. You need to follow a specific process.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Federal Aid[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you transfer at the school year’s end, you must complete exit counseling at your old school and entrance counseling at your new school. You also have to add your new college to [hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/resources/college-finances/online-college-financial-aid/”]your FAFSA[/hen-ui-link]. Transferring midyear means adding the new school to your FAFSA when you transfer.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Private and College-Specific Aid[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You should also contact your new institution about private aid, such as scholarships. Whatever scholarships your old school awarded to you will not transfer, but your new college [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/college-finances/scholarships/”]may offer other scholarships[/hen-ui-link] that could help replace that funding.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Other private funds may or may not follow you to your new school. Talk to your financial aid specialist at both schools to ensure you aren’t missing critical steps.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Do Transfer Credits Affect GPA?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A perk of [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/college-transfer-guide/”]transferring colleges[/hen-ui-link] is that while you will transfer college credits, you won’t transfer your GPA. Yes, your GPA is used to help determine your admission eligibility, but after being accepted to the new school, your GPA becomes a blank slate.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]What ultimately counts is your GPA at the institution from which you graduate. This factor makes community college programs particularly attractive. It’s no secret that community colleges allow you to complete general education courses at a reduced cost, but they also allow you to get a few difficult courses out of the way.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For example, if you want to enter a sociology program but dread college algebra, earn your math credits at an accredited community college. As long as you get a C or better, your credits should transfer, and your GPA won’t take a hit in the end.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Transferring credits from [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/best-community-colleges/”]community college[/hen-ui-link] to a university can be a great way to ensure your final GPA at graduation reflects your knowledge and skills in your area of study, not your struggles in outside fields or unrelated prerequisites.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Online Schools That Accept Transfer Credits[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How do you know if you should transfer colleges?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You may want to transfer if your current school does not offer the major you want or if you have personal reasons for wanting to go to school elsewhere.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Transferring colleges can be the right choice, but you should consider all the pros and cons, talk to your new school’s admissions team, and seek advice from a career counselor before taking this step.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How soon can you transfer colleges?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To be considered a transfer student rather than a first-year student, you usually need at least 12 credits. Some schools offer several benefits for waiting until you have an associate degree before transferring. If you want to transfer to a degree-completion program, you may need 75-90 credits from a previous institution.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What are the best online colleges to transfer to?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The best online college to transfer to is one that offers your major, holds institutional accreditation, and fits your budget. Depending on your goals, that could be a small, local school or a primarily online education provider.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can use our ranked lists of transfer-friendly colleges and the [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/online-colleges/start-anytime/”]best schools to start anytime[/hen-ui-link] to begin your research.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is a good GPA for transfer students?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Typically, you need at least a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale to transfer credits, but you may find a school willing to accept students with a lower GPA.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Those schools may require you to take an admissions test, submit a resume, or file a letter of recommendation from one or more of your professors. Check with your desired school to see what they require.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What can I do if I have 120 credits but no degree?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can leverage all your earned credits and complete your degree quickly. Nearly all schools require 120 credits for a bachelor’s degree, but those credits must be in specific courses or subjects. Your new school can help you maximize the classes you’ve taken to earn your degree in the fastest time possible.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Discover More College Resources” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”1037,649,648″][/hen-ui-article-row]