Transfer Process

How to Transfer to a Four-Year University Without Losing Credits in 2026

Knowing how to transfer to a four-year university without losing credits is one of the most important concerns for today’s college students and families. In 2026, more than one third of bachelor’s degree recipients will have attended at least two institutions. Credit loss during transfer remains common, costly, and frustrating.

Understanding how to transfer to a four-year university without losing credits can save students thousands of dollars and months, sometimes years, of additional coursework. This guide explains how to transfer to a four-year university without losing credits using current policies, updated tools, and proven strategies that work in today’s higher education landscape.

Why Credit Loss Happens During College Transfers

Before learning how to transfer to a four-year university without losing credits, it helps to understand why credits are often lost. Colleges retain authority over which courses count toward their degree programs. Even accredited courses may be accepted only as electives or not at all.

Common reasons credit loss occurs include:

• Course content that does not match major requirements

• Credits earned at nationally accredited rather than regionally accredited institutions

• Lack of articulation agreements between institutions

• Changing majors after transfer

• Outdated or incomplete advising

Understanding these risks is essential when planning how to transfer to

How to Transfer from Community College to a Four-Year University in 2025

Transferring from a community college to a four-year university remains a viable and cost-effective pathway for many students. With rising tuition at four-year institutions and increasing mobility among undergraduate students, an informed transfer strategy in 2025 can open doors for achievement and degree completion. This article walks through key phases of the transfer process, updates on policy and data, expert insights and practical tips for students, parents and educators.

1. Why the Transfer Path Matters

Beginning at a community college can make financial sense. In the 2024–25 academic year, in-district tuition and fees at public two-year institutions averaged about US $3,598 annually. By comparison, in-state tuition and fees at public four-year institutions averaged around US $11,610 per year.

Beyond cost savings, the transfer route facilitates a “two-plus-two” model: two years of general education or foundational courses at a community college, followed by two years (or more) at a four-year university. Many states and institutions maintain articulation agreements or transfer-pathway programs for this purpose.

However, the statistics tell a cautionary tale. Research from the Community College Research Center (CCRC) finds that only about one-third of community college students transfer to a four-year institution, and fewer than half of those complete a bachelor’s degree within six years. A 2024 study found that among students who began at a community college in fall 2017,

What is an Articulation Agreement and Why Should You Care?

If you were to ask any admissions counselor or community college administrator what an articulation agreement is, they wouldn’t hesitate to tell you.

• However, if you ask any student on a community college campus, you might not get the same response.
• Articulation agreements exist between many colleges, yet the majority of community college students have no idea what they are.

An articulation agreement is designed to create a seamless transfer experience for students moving from community college to four-year institutions.

• Not every community college has them, but most do, and they are an invaluable resource for transfer students.
• Read on to learn more about an articulation agreement and how it can benefit you as a community college student.

This video explains articulation agreements.

The Trouble with Transferring

According to the Community College Research Center, roughly 40% of undergraduates in the United States start their higher education at community colleges.

• Of those, 80% intend to earn at least a bachelor’s degree, and about 20% end up transferring to a four-year college or university.
• In the eyes of an incoming community college student, the future is bright, and community college is a stepping stone on the path to a four-year school.
• Unfortunately, that path is not as easy to navigate as one would hope.
• Between the challenges of completing prerequisites and

Nearly six million students are enrolled in community college each year, many with the intent of eventually transferring to a traditional four-year university. That transfer is not without challenges, however, as many schools don’t accept all community college credits, and transfer acceptance rates remain relatively low. Those who do make the transfer tend to succeed. So, why do colleges and universities overlook community college students, and why do more students not transfer?

In this article, we’ll look at the statistics for how many community college students move on to four-year colleges and universities. We’ll also explore the data on how well they perform and provide some tips for community college students considering transferring.

How Many Community College Students Transfer?

As college tuition costs continue to rise and more families struggle to make ends meet, the number of students who choose to start their college education at community college continues to grow. Community college appeals to many because the tuition is typically more affordable, and other costs can be kept low by living at home versus on campus. Community colleges also offer flexible scheduling for non-traditional students, including single parents and adults returning to school.

According to an article published by the National Student Clearinghouse, about 80% of entering community college students want to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher, making them likely to transfer to a four-year college at some point. However, only 29% of community college students who started classes in the

A recent study shows that one out of every ten community college students loses nearly all of their credits upon transferring to a four-year institution. In fact, just 58 percent of students who being their studies at a two-year institution report having more than 90 percent of their credits transferring to a baccalaureate program at a four-year college or university. As a result, a large number of students who dream of obtaining an undergraduate degree never get one because the credits they worked so hard to obtain do not count at their new school.

An Uphill Battle

Students who begin their post-secondary education at a community college are already less likely to graduate with a bachelor’s degree than their peers who begin study at a four-year institution. This is not to say that community colleges are somehow failing their students, rather, it is most likely life events that curtail a student’s educational aspirations. Family issues, financial difficulties, or changes in job or childcare availability are just a few common issues that force community college students to put their studies on hold. Unfortunately, the already narrow likelihood that a student will get a bachelor’s degree is further diminished when they take a break from school to attend to life’s pressing issues.

This video offers some suggestions on how to transfer from a community college to a four-year institution.

Even when students are