Transfer Process

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments

Students who are serious about earning a four-year degree will find that community college may be a good place for them to begin the process. Thanks to “2+2” programs cropping up across the country, students can now enroll in community college with their eyes set on goals after the associate degree is earned. Through partnerships with nearby universities and online programs, students have a precise educational direction that starts at community college and continues on through the four-year degree program. We’ll take a look at what a 2+2 program offers community college students, as well as examine some of the 2+2 programs going on around the country today.

What is 2+2?

A 2+2 program is one that begins in a community college, with a two-year associate degree or certification program. Coursework taken at the community college then transfers to a four-year program, allowing the student to complete a bachelor’s degree in the same amount of time it would have taken if they had gone to the four-year institution right out of high school. Because the program is a partnership between the schools, students enter community college with a four-year end in sight and select courses at the first institution that will help them to achieve their ultimate goals. Community College Review's How to Transfer from Community College in 2026 provides additional current guidance on planning a transfer.

The community college and four-year school work

While community colleges offer a wealth of options in associate degree programs and practical career training, the majority of students who grace a community college campus for a period of time are not content with a degree from these schools. In fact, the large majority of community college students have plans to further their education by eventually transferring their credits to a four-year institution. This is the precise subject of a landmark report by the College Board that looked at the high number of community college students who want to transfer to a four-year university and why.

Students considering this route may also benefit from Community College Review's guide to navigating the community college-to-university transfer process.

About the Report

College Board is a non-profit organization committed to equality in education, from the early primary years all the way through postsecondary education. This particular report, titled Improving Student Transfer from Community Colleges to Four-Year Institutions, was designed to emphasize the importance of smooth pathways between community colleges and other institutions of higher education.

While the original report noted that more than 7 million students were enrolled in community colleges, more recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that community colleges continue to serve millions of students nationwide and remain a critical entry point into higher education. With so many students enrolled in community colleges, it is important to assess what the choices for these students might be should they decide to

For many community college students, the end goal is not simply an associate degree from their current school but the ability to transfer to a university and earn a bachelor's degree. However, many community college students are dismayed to discover that the classes they paid for and worked hard in at their community college don't always make the transfer to the next step. To ensure the hard work completed at the community college level does not go by the wayside, we analyze the latest US News and World Report study that discusses the 10 most transfer-friendly universities nationwide.

Transfer Rates

According to a US News and World Report study, more than half a million community college students transferred into four-year colleges in 2009. There are various reasons why students may choose to take this path to complete their education. Some like the more affordable tuition rates at community colleges and get as many credits at these less expensive schools as possible before completing their education at a university. Others find that after earning their associate degree, they want to pursue additional training and education in their field.

No matter the reason for completing a transfer, students in this situation may discover that universities vary significantly in the number of transfer students they accept and the resources provided to transfer students. For those who want to join this number in the future, it pays to research the best universities for transfer students so that they

Students who wish to earn a four-year degree but have limited funds to pay for a university have often been in a quandary over how to pay for their education. Some begin their college careers in less expensive community colleges, hoping to transfer to a four-year college once they earn their associate's degree. To expand the options for these students, some community colleges are teaming up with four-year institutions to simultaneously provide dual enrollment at both schools. We'll tell you how this dual enrollment works and the benefits and highlight some of the schools already using this model.

This video explains the dual enrollment program at Southwest Tennessee Community College.

What is Dual Enrollment?

Students pursuing the dual enrollment option actually simultaneously enroll in a community college and a four-year university. The student must be accepted into both schools before completing the dual enrollment. In most of these programs, students can take courses from either institution and tuition rates are based on the college where the course is offered. In addition, students have access to facilities and services at both colleges, expanding their options in additional activities and resources.

Benefits of Dual Enrollment

There are many potential benefits of the dual enrollment model, including:

• Simplified admission process that allows students access to both colleges with one application
• Course planning and advising is coordinated for a more efficient degree track
• Financial aid is

Many high school students are advised to begin their college careers at a community college for cost or academic reasons. However, the transfer process from a two-year college to a four-year university can be confusing at best, with conflicting requirements that may make a degree that much more elusive. The result is that many students never end up graduating at all, and some don't even make it into the hallowed ivy walls of a university in the first place.

This video offers some tips on how to transfer from a community college to a four-year university.

California Higher Education Bill

The state of California is hoping to change all the confusion, thanks to legislation intended to make the transfer process much easier and more streamlined. A report at the Chronicle of Higher Education explains the legislation, which is slated to go into effect during the fall of 2011. The bill was approved in the state senate this month, and it is expected that Governor Schwarzenegger will sign the bill into law.

The California bill requires community colleges to offer a redesigned associate's degree. Students who complete the degree would be guaranteed admission into one of California State University campuses, where they could complete a bachelor's degree in 60 credit hours or less. The purpose of the bill is to increase the number of students who successfully transfer from a community