How to Transfer Colleges: The Step-by-Step Guide

Considering a transfer? You’re not alone: The national number of transfer enrollments grew by 5.3%, according to 2023 data reported by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC).

With a rapidly changing labor market and employer concerns over the swelling skills gap it's unsurprising that both working adults and traditional students are realigning their education. In fact, The World Economic Forum predicts that 39% of workers' skillsets will be outdated in the next 5 years, driving the instinct to adapt through continuous learning and upskilling. For many, that means transferring to a school whose programs are in sync with current skill demands like AI and cyber security.

Here at DeVry, we understand that transferring can be a big decision. To take the guesswork out, we’ve put together this guide on how to transfer colleges and kickstart the educational experience you deserve.

The decision to transfer colleges is deeply individual and dependent on your unique circumstances. Taking time to research schools and programs can help you identify what you need from your new school in terms of teaching modality, course delivery, career goals, and resources. The answers to these questions may be nuanced, but thinking them through gives you a roadmap.

With a clear idea of what you’re looking for, you can begin researching schools and narrowing in on the ones that fit your parameters.

As you research the best transfer schools, hone in on additional information such as:

Continuing your education at a new school doesn’t have to mean starting at square one. Maximize your transfer credits by choosing a transfer-friendly program, and you can apply qualifying credits you’ve already earned — potentially saving both tuition and time as you complete your studies.

Start by submitting your official transcript for evaluation to determine which courses count toward your program. Then, assess the school’s transfer credit policies to see if there are more ways to put your past learning to work.

Key areas of a school’s transfer policy to note include:

Some universities, including DeVry, recognize that valuable learning also happens outside of formal education. By evaluating your real-world experiences, you may earn academic credit for past accomplishments.

Some alternative learning experiences that may count as prior learning credit include:

After finding schools and programs that align with your goals, it’s time to begin the admissions process for transferring to a new school. Start by submitting an online application, where you’ll provide your personal information, educational background, and an application fee.

At DeVry, submitting your application connects you with a representative who will set up your student portal and help you navigate your next steps for a smoother experience. Regardless of the school, it’s smart to ask about application deadlines and gather your documents early — transcripts can take a week or more to arrive.

Depending on the college you want to transfer to, you may need to provide:

After settling into your new school and routine, take a moment to think about your career goals and reevaluate your strategy.

Pursue the following action items to get started at your transfer school:

While some of your credits may transfer, it’s not guaranteed that all or any will. It depends on the transfer credit policies of the institution and the degree program you’ve chosen.

For example, at DeVry we evaluate your transcript for the following:

Transferring universities gives you the latitude to make a strategic move for your education, so it’s optimized rather than interrupted. For many transfer students, part of that strategy is pivoting to a new degree path. For example, in the 2024 fall semester alone, the NSCRC found that nearly two-thirds of transfer students switched their field of study — and improved job mobility may explain the reason.

To find a degree with the potential to boost your job mobility, seek program qualities like:

The roles you can pursue after transferring colleges depends on your field, type of credential, and other factors. Take our transfer-friendly Bachelor’s in Technical Management as an example. Federal research shows significant growth for several roles that connect directly to this program.

While actual local growth may vary, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of the following professions to grow faster than the national average between 2024 and 2034: