Do community college credits transfer?

The short answer

Usually yes, a lot of them. But there's a catch that costs students real money: a credit can transfer and still not count toward your degree. The question that matters isn't "will it transfer," it's "will it count."

Why some classes don't count

Universities keep official agreements that map each community college course to one of their own. Some courses map directly to a requirement. Some come in as general electives, which fill space but don't move you toward your major. And some don't come in at all, often remedial classes, vocational courses, or anything below the level your university teaches.

The three usual outcomes

• Counts toward your major or gen ed. The good outcome. The class does double duty at both schools.
• Transfers as an elective. You get the credits, but they don't satisfy anything specific. Fine in small doses, expensive in bulk.
• Doesn't transfer. The class exists only on your old transcript. If your degree needed it, you're paying to take it again at university prices.

How to check before you enroll

Ask your counselor about the agreement between your college and each target school, and look up the university's own transfer equivalency pages. This is also exactly what TransferTrack does in one place: you add your classes once and it shows what counts at each school on your list, before registration, not after.

One more thing about your GPA

Universities use your community college GPA to admit you, but most start your university GPA fresh after you arrive. Grades carry you in the door; they usually don't follow you through it.

Planning a transfer? Join the TransferTrack waitlist and know what counts from day one, or read what transferring really costs next.