See how many credits are likely to be rejected when you transfer schools, and what that costs in extra time and tuition.
Federal analysis of transfer transcripts has found that transfer students lose an average of around 13 credits — roughly a full semester's worth — with wide variation by school pairing. This calculator applies your own estimated transfer-acceptance rate to your actual credit count, converts the lost credits into extra semesters based on your course load, and multiplies by your new school's real tuition and living costs.
Your actual transfer rate can vary enormously — some public in-state 2+2 pathways with a formal articulation agreement accept nearly everything, while transfers between very different institution types (especially from a for-profit school) can lose 80% or more. Before finalizing a transfer decision, request a formal transfer credit evaluation from the receiving school's registrar so you can replace the estimate above with your real number.
How many of my credits will actually transfer? It depends heavily on your specific schools. Public in-state transfers with a formal articulation agreement often accept most or all credits. Transfers across state lines or from a for-profit school frequently see much larger losses. Ask the receiving school's registrar for a formal transfer credit evaluation.
Do failing or low grades affect which credits transfer? Yes — most schools only accept transfer credit for courses you passed with at least a C, and some set the bar higher for major-specific prerequisites.
Does it matter if I transfer mid-year versus at the end of a full year? Not usually for credit transfer itself, but it can affect financial aid timing and scholarship eligibility. Transferring at the end of a completed term is generally cleaner.
Is there a way to protect my credits before I transfer? Get a written transfer credit evaluation from your target school before you enroll. Many state systems also publish official articulation agreements that guarantee certain courses will transfer.
Transfer Schools vs. Switch Majors — which costs less.
Major Switch Cost Calculator — the same-school version of this math.
College Cost Calculator — estimate your new school's total cost.
Degree ROI Calculator — see the lifetime payoff of your degree.