Key Takeaway
- If you are thinking about transferring, start by checking out this list of 50 transfer-friendly schools to get an idea of where you have the best chances of being accepted.
- Make sure the school offers your major, has a good credit transfer policy, and feels like a place where you’ll be happy.
- Look into financial aid options available specifically for transfer students to help offset the cost.
The 50 Best Colleges To Transfer to in 2024
Source: Flickr user University of Maryland, Baltimore County
There are many reasons you might decide to transfer, but regardless of why, you’ll want to make sure your new school checks your boxes. While location might be a big factor, you’ll also want to consider if the transfer school offers your major, is affordable, and feels like a good personal fit.
Many transfer students feel uncertain about where to start and which schools are transfer-friendly. To help make your search easier, we’ve rounded up 50 of the best colleges to transfer to that are known for their high acceptance rate.
50 of the Best Colleges To Transfer to in the US
When transferring schools, it’s a good idea to look at the transfer acceptance rate to see what your percentage of being accepted will be. Start your research here by looking through 50 of the most transfer-friendly schools, ranked by their 2023 acceptance rates.
*Data sourced from College Transitions.
| Ranking | College/University | Transfer Acceptance Rate | Freshman Acceptance Rate | Location |
| 1 | Olin College of Engineering | 100% | 19% | Needham, MA |
| 2 | Whittier College | 100% | 94% | Whittier, CA |
| 3 | Yeshiva University | 100% | 63% | New York, NY |
| 4 | Clarkson University | 94% | 78% | Potsdam, NY |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 94% | 71% | Greensboro, NC |
| 6 | University of North Carolina at Asheville | 94% | 74% | Asheville, NC |
| 7 | Stetson University | 93% | 94% | DeLand, FL |
| 8 | Siena College | 92% | 71% | Loudonville, NY |
| 9 | Maine Maritime Academy | 91% | 62% | Castine, ME |
| 10 | Drew University | 91% | 73% | Madison, NJ |
| 11 | University of North Carolina Wilmington | 90% | 69% | Wilmington, NC |
| 12 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | 90% | 80% | Charlotte, NC |
| 13 | University of Mississippi | 90% | 97% | Oxford, MS |
| 14 | Mercer University | 90% | 75% | Macon, GA |
| 15 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania | 89% | 88% | West Chester, PA |
| 16 | University of Portland | 89% | 93% | Portland, OR |
| 17 | Arizona State University | 89% | 90% | Tempe, AZ |
| 18 | Baylor University | 89% | 46% | Waco, TX |
| 19 | George Mason University | 88% | 90% | Fairfax, VA |
| 20 | University of Massachusetts Lowell | 88% | 86% | Lowell, MA |
| 21 | Ohio State University | 88% | 53% | Columbus, OH |
| 22 | University of Houston | 88% | 66% | Houston, TX |
| 23 | Florida Atlantic University | 87% | 81% | Boca Raton, FL |
| 24 | Georgia College & State University | 87% | 80% | Milledgeville, GA |
| 25 | College of Charleston | 87% | 76% | Charleston, SC |
| 26 | Appalachian State University | 87% | 83% | Boone, NC |
| 27 | Kansas State University | 86% | 95% | Manhattan, KS |
| 28 | University of Maine | 86% | 94% | Orono, ME |
| 29 | University of Kansas | 86% | 88% | Lawrence, KS |
| 30 | Virginia Commonwealth University | 85% | 91% | Richmond, VA |
| 31 | University of Mary Washington | 85% | 86% | Fredericksburg, VA |
| 32 | University of Maryland Baltimore County | 85% | 81% | Baltimore, MD |
| 33 | Ursinus College | 85% | 82% | Collegeville, PA |
| 34 | Towson University | 83% | 79% | Towson, MD |
| 35 | Wheaton College | 82% | 89% | Wheaton, IL |
| 36 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | 82% | 87% | Birmingham, AL |
| 37 | Texas Christian University | 82% | 56% | Fort Worth, TX |
| 38 | Missouri University of Science and Technology | 82% | 81% | Rolla, MO |
| 39 | California State University Fresno | 82% | 95% | Fresno, CA |
| 40 | Boise State University | 82% | 84% | Boise, ID |
| 41 | University of Kentucky | 81% | 95% | Lexington, KY |
| 42 | The University of Texas at Dallas | 81% | 85% | Richardson, TX |
| 43 | Iowa State University | 81% | 90% | Ames, IA |
| 44 | University of Nevada Reno | 80% | 86% | Reno, NV |
| 45 | University of Massachusetts Boston | 80% | 81% | Boston, MA |
| 46 | SUNY at Purchase College | 80% | 78% | Purchase, NY |
| 47 | Ramapo College of New Jersey | 79% | 70% | Mahwah, NJ |
| 48 | Miami University-Oxford | 79% | 88% | Oxford, OH |
| 49 | University of New Hampshire | 78% | 87% | Durham, NH |
| 50 | The University of Montana | 78% | 95% | Missoula, MT |
How To Choose a College To Transfer To
When choosing a college as a transfer student, you should consider the following factors before applying:
- Transfer Acceptance Rate: As listed in the table above, this is one of the first things you should look at. A higher transfer acceptance rate increases your chances of getting in; however, it doesn’t guarantee it. Schools with lower acceptance rates may have more competitive admission processes. Balance your options among safety, match, and reach schools.
- Transfer Credit Policy: Some colleges make it easier to transfer existing credits than others. Be sure to research if the credits from your current college will be accepted. If not, you may have to take certain classes over, which could delay your graduation.
- Available Majors: Not all schools offer every major, so double-check that your major is available and that you’ll be allowed to transfer.
- Financial Aid: Look into what financial aid options are available to you so that you can plan well. For instance, some schools offer scholarships specifically for transfer students. And of course, you can always use a free scholarship search tool to find transfer-specific scholarships.
- Campus Life: Some students transfer because their first school wasn’t a great fit for them. If possible, visit the campuses you’re considering to get a real feel for the environment, student life, and available resources. This can help you decide if the school will be a better fit for you.
Deciding to transfer is a big step, and it’s important to find a school that fits you both academically and personally. Start by checking the transfer acceptance rate to evaluate the possibilities, but don’t let that be the only factor. Make sure that you research carefully and weigh all the factors that matter most to you so that you feel confident in your decision to transfer!
