A lot of people don’t finish their degree at the first school they start at. Sometimes life changes your plans, maybe you moved to a new state, got a job, started a family, or just realized your first school wasn’t the right fit. Wanting to continue from where you stopped is completely normal, and that’s where transfer credits come in. If your previous courses are accepted, you won’t have to start all over again, which means you save both time and money.
But here’s the issue: not all colleges make the transfer process smooth. Some schools only accept a small number of credits, some won’t apply your old courses toward your major, and others take a long time to review transcripts. And because policies vary from one school to another, students sometimes get frustrated and end up abandoning school altogether.
There are online colleges that do understand what transfer students need. These schools are more flexible, have clear transfer policies, and provide support to help you understand exactly what will count toward your new degree. In this article, we’ll look at some of the best online colleges that accept transfer credits and explain how to make the most of the work you’ve already done.
How Transfer Credits Work
Transfer credits are basically the college courses you’ve already completed that can count toward your new degree at a different school. Instead of retaking classes you’ve already passed, your new school reviews your previous coursework to see what can be added to your new program. If the credits are accepted, you continue from where you stopped, rather than starting from scratch.
However, there are a few things that determine whether your credits will transfer smoothly:-
- First, the school you took the courses from must be accredited. Most colleges prefer credits from regionally accredited schools because the coursework is considered more widely transferable. If your previous school was nationally accredited, your credits might still transfer, but some colleges may be more selective about them.
- Second, the courses need to be relevant to what you are studying now. For example, if you’re switching from nursing to business, some science courses may not fit into your new major, even if they were good classes.
- Third, the grade you earned matters. Many schools require at least a C for a course to transfer. Anything below that usually won’t count.
So, the simplest way to think about it is: Accredited school + relevant course + passing grade = higher chance your credits will transfer.
Online Colleges That Accept Transfer Credits
Here are some online colleges that make it easier to transfer your previous credits and continue your degree.
1. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
SNHU is famously transfer-friendly: you can bring in up to 90 credits toward a bachelor’s degree, which covers a large portion of many undergraduate programs and can save returning students lots of time and money.
The school evaluates previous college coursework, military training, CLEP, AP, and many professional certifications, and offers a free transfer credit evaluation so you can see in advance how your credits will apply.
For working adults trying to finish a degree, SNHU’s approach makes it straightforward to pick up where you left off and avoid repeating coursework unnecessarily.
2. Arizona State University (ASU Online)
ASU accepts college-level credits from regionally accredited schools and provides tools to check course equivalency before you apply. Transfer credit is awarded for courses with acceptable grades that match ASU offerings. The university also supports transfer students with clear guides and a transfer portal so you can plan which credits will count toward your chosen major.
ASU also recognizes credit by examination and military training in many cases, giving returning students multiple pathways to apply prior learning toward a degree.
3. Purdue Global
Purdue Global operates with adult learners in mind and evaluates transfer credits from accredited colleges and recognized exams. Most undergraduate courses with a grade of C- or better are eligible for transfer review, and Purdue Global also awards credit for qualifying IT certifications and certain exams, which helps working professionals convert workplace learning into college credit.
Their admissions and transfer pages provide step-by-step instructions and make it clear how previous coursework can shorten the time to a degree. For learners returning after a break or transferring from a community college, Purdue Global’s transfer process is practical and helpful.
4. Western Governors University (WGU)
WGU is known for a generous and flexible transfer policy: they review transcripts course-by-course and accept comparable college credit from accredited institutions, often awarding large block transfers or applying entire associate degrees.
Because WGU is competency-based, it also considers how previously demonstrated skills line up with program outcomes, which can speed up a degree for students with strong prior learning.
WGU makes the transfer process straightforward with clear evaluation steps and partner transfer pathways, so community college graduates and working adults know early what will count toward a WGU degree.
5. University of Florida Online (UF Online)
UF Online accepts eligible college-level coursework and offers a Transferology tool to help prospective students see whether specific courses will transfer. Official transcripts are required for evaluation, and once admitted, an academic advisor helps map transferred credits to degree requirements.
UF’s system emphasizes transparency so transfer students can plan their path and understand residency or major-specific requirements that may affect how many credits ultimately apply. For students seeking a flagship public university online option, UF Online balances selectivity with clear guidance on bringing prior credit into the program.
6. Fort Hays State University (FHSU)
FHSU accepts transfer credit from regionally accredited U.S. institutions, military evaluations, CLEP, DSST, and other exams, and it publishes articulation and 2+2 agreements to make transfer straightforward from partner schools.
Their transfer portal and registrar pages explain which credits apply to general education and major requirements, and they support nontraditional students with clear evaluation processes. Because the university has a long history of distance education, transfer students, especially those from community colleges or with military experience, often find Fort Hays State a practical and welcoming option.
7. Penn State World Campus
Penn State World Campus accepts college-level transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions and provides detailed guidance on how transferred courses apply across colleges and degree programs. They publish limits on how many external credits are allowed for specific degrees and work with students to map equivalencies.
Penn State’s large online campus has structured procedures for transfer evaluation, and many students benefit from clearly defined policies on residency, course age limits, and credit types accepted. If you want a major from a large research university delivered online, Penn State makes transfer planning systematic.
8. University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)
UMGC is explicitly built for transfer and military students: it accepts a wide variety of transfer credits, including military training, professional certifications, and college coursework, and it commonly allows up to 90 credits toward bachelor’s degrees in many cases.
UMGC’s transfer tools and advisement focus on turning experience into degree progress, and they offer clear estimates of how many credits will apply. For adult learners and veterans who want to accelerate a degree, UMGC’s policies are among the most flexible you’ll find.
9. Colorado State University Global (CSU Global)
CSU Global makes transfer easy by accepting as many eligible credits as possible and offering multiple tools to estimate transferability. Students can often transfer up to 90 credits, and the university uses an evaluation system to show course equivalencies quickly.
CSU Global also accepts credits from alternative providers like Study.com and StraighterLine in many instances, which can lower costs and speed progress. Their practice of rapid transcript review and clear transfer limits helps students know early how close they are to degree completion.
10. Emporia State University
Emporia State accepts undergraduate transfer credits from accredited two- and four-year institutions and maintains articulation agreements to smooth the path from community colleges.
Their registrar and transfer pages outline the process for transcript submission, restrictions (such as residency and upper-division requirements), and how transfer credits satisfy general education and major needs.
Emporia State provides resources like transfer guides and credit evaluation FAQs so that transfer applicants can get a clear sense of how previous coursework will apply toward a degree.
Tips for Making Sure Your Credits Actually Transfer
Before you commit to a new school, it helps to take a few careful steps so you know exactly how your credits will be used. Start by reaching out to admissions early. Let them know you’re a transfer student and ask about their transfer evaluation process. Schools that are transfer-friendly will usually guide you through it without making things complicated.
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Contact admissions early: Let them know you’re coming in as a transfer student and ask how their credit evaluation works. Schools that are genuinely transfer-friendly will explain the process clearly.
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Gather all your transcripts: Even if you only took a class or two somewhere, include it. The school can’t evaluate credits they don’t know about, and having everything ready avoids delays.
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Ask whether the credits apply to your major, not just your total credit hours: A course might transfer but only be counted as an elective, which doesn’t help you if you need it for your actual program requirements.
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Confirm graduation requirements: Every school has certain required courses for each degree. Knowing what you still need to finish helps you avoid extra semesters or being surprised later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I finish my degree faster by transferring credits?
Yes, that’s the whole advantage. If the school accepts most of your previous coursework, you may skip repeating classes and move straight into the courses required for your major. The more credits accepted, the shorter your timeline.
Do online degrees show the word “online” on the certificate?
In most cases, no. The diploma usually looks the same as the on-campus version. It simply states the name of the school and the degree earned, not the format of study.
Can military training count as college credit?
Yes, at many schools. Some institutions evaluate military training through ACE (American Council on Education) recommendations, which can convert certain training experiences into college-level credit.
Is it possible to transfer credits from 10+ years ago?
Sometimes. It depends on the school and the subject. Some universities put a time limit on certain courses, especially in fast-changing fields like nursing or technology. Others may still accept them if the content hasn’t significantly changed. It’s always worth asking.
Conclusion
If you’re thinking about going back to school, you don’t have to start from the beginning. The work you’ve already done still counts, and transferring your credits is one of the smartest ways to finish faster and save money while doing it.
Take your time, compare your options, and reach out to admissions advisers at the schools that interest you. They’ll walk you through what transfers, what doesn’t, and how it fits into your new degree path.