See how many credits are likely to be rejected when you transfer schools, and what that costs in extra time and tuition.
A federal GAO analysis of students who first enrolled in 2004 found that transfer students lost an estimated 43% of their credits on average — about 37% for transfers between public schools and about 94% for transfers from for-profit to public schools. 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) lost about 94% in GAO's analysis. 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.
The Government Accountability Office's 2017 study of students who transferred between 2004 and 2009 found they lost an estimated 43% of their credits on average. The path mattered a great deal:
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| Transfer path | Credits lost |
|---|---|
| All transfers | About 43% |
| Public to public | About 37% |
| For-profit to public | About 94% |
GAO also found that about 29% of schools didn't list their articulation agreements on their websites, which makes it hard to know your number before you apply.
Credits can be lost in two ways. Some are rejected outright, for example a course with no equivalent or a grade below the school's minimum, often a C. Others are accepted as general electives but don't satisfy any requirement in your major. Those still show up as transfer credit, but you have to take the required course anyway. When you enter a transfer percentage above, count only credits that will apply to your degree, not just credits that will be accepted.
You have 60 credits and expect 75% to apply. You lose 15 credits, which is one full semester at 15 credits a term. At $450 a credit plus $6,000 for housing and food, that semester costs $12,750. If only 50% apply, you lose 30 credits and two semesters, or $25,500.
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.
Dual Enrollment GPA Calculator — credits that transfer without grade points still count for admissions.
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.