Losing credits in a transfer can add a semester or more to your degree. Most of that loss is avoidable with a few questions asked early.

Credit transfer is decided by the receiving school. Its registrar or transfer office looks at your transcripts and decides which courses it will accept, and whether they count toward your major, your general education requirements or just as electives.

What receiving schools look at

• Accreditation of the school where you earned the credits. See college accreditation explained.
• Course match: whether your course covers what theirs does. A syllabus helps.
• Grade: many schools require a C or better.
• Level: lower-division credits rarely count as upper-division courses.
• Residency rules: most schools require you to complete a minimum number of credits, often the last 30, with them.

Accepted isn’t the same as applied

A college might accept 45 of your credits but apply only 20 toward your degree requirements, with the rest counting as general electives. That’s why the question to ask isn’t “Will my credits transfer?” but “How many of my credits will count toward this degree?”

Tools that make transfer easier

• Articulation agreements between specific colleges spell out exactly which courses transfer.
• Statewide transfer pathways in many states guarantee that completed associate degrees or core courses transfer to public universities.
• Transfer equivalency databases on college websites show how courses from other schools have been evaluated before.

Adviser’s tip: Ask for an unofficial transcript evaluation before you apply or pay a deposit. Many schools will provide a course-by-course evaluation in advance, and having it in writing protects you if something changes.

Step by step

1. Request unofficial transcripts from every school you’ve attended.
2. Ask your target schools for a preliminary evaluation.
3. Compare how many credits each school would apply toward your degree.
4. Appeal any course you think was misjudged, with the syllabus attached.
5. Once admitted, send official transcripts.

Have learning that didn’t come from a college? Exams and portfolio reviews can add more credits; see credit for prior learning. And if you’re returning after a long break, our guide to finishing a degree you started covers the rest.

Readers ask

Do grades transfer?

Usually the credits transfer but the grades don’t count toward your new GPA. Many schools only accept courses with a grade of C or better.

Is there a time limit on old credits?

Some programs don’t accept older courses in fast-changing subjects, such as science or technology courses taken many years ago. General education credits are often accepted regardless of age.

Can a college refuse to send my transcript because I owe money?

Federal rules since July 2024 restrict when colleges that take federal aid can withhold official transcripts over unpaid balances, and several states have their own limits. Ask the school about its policy and options.

Admission rules, accreditation status and licensing requirements change. This guide is general information for students in the U.S.; confirm the details with the school, its accreditor or your state licensing board before you enroll.