By Dr. Paul Smith and Ms. Emily Muniz

Transferring from a two-year college to a four-year institution of higher education has long been a pathway for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Each year in Virginia, approximately 12,500 students follow what is known as the 2+2 pathway.

There are many reasons a student might pursue the 2+2 transfer pathway, a primary driver is often cost savings. A Virginia in-state student who first completes an associate degree at a community college and then transfers to a public four-year institution can save $21,968 on the average cost of a bachelor's degree, according to SCHEV’s 2025-26 Tuition and Fees Report.

Degree completion affects success and cost

The number of academic credits a student completes prior to transfer can affect their post-transfer success. Per SCHEV data, students transferring without an associate degree exhibit an average baccalaureate completion rate of 75%, while those completing an associate degree prior to transfer achieve a completion rate of 85%. Earning an associate degree prior to transfer clearly pays off.

In addition, the pace of degree completion can significantly affect potential cost savings. Transfer students incur 33% more cost for each additional year spent at a four-year institution. For example, a student who completes their bachelor’s degree in three years post-transfer would pay $62,279 in total tuition, while a student who completes in four years would pay $80,672. Any delay in completing a baccalaureate degree can have significant financial implications.

Unfortunately, delays in degree completion affect far too many students. More than half (51%) of associate degree earners transferring into a four-year institution in academic year 2020-21 took three years to complete a bachelor’s degree, while another 19% required four years. Those percentages have remained relatively consistent over time.

Barriers to completion

For many students, deciding to pursue higher education is a big decision, one that may come with barriers, particularly those related to finances, as well as personal and social adjustment issues (Greenburg, 2023). Any of these issues can affect a transfer student’s ability to complete their degree in a timely manner.

In addition, transfer students must navigate unclear pathways and degree requirements that can be confusing. Often, such vagaries can lead to transfer credit loss. According to a GAO study of transfer activity nationally from 2004-09, transfer students lost 43% of their credits. Moreover, credit loss leads to students being required to repeat courses or take additional courses, costing more time and money.

The lack of transfer-specific financial aid is another barrier. Typically, at four-year public institutions, students may be eligible only for need-based financial assistance, and in many cases, that aid isn’t enough. Additionally, transfer students may exhaust financial aid eligibility through increased developmental coursework at the two-year college, and/or having to repeat coursework upon transfer due to inapplicability of transfer coursework, and ultimately taking longer to complete their bachelor’s degree (Taylor, 2021).

Transfer Virginia and other efforts

Virginia’s institutions of higher education have taken many steps to improve transfer outcomes, including early outreach and advising prior to transfer, transfer-specific orientations, transfer student seminars, and dual coursework prior to transfer (students take a course on the four-year campus).

Since 2007, the Virginia Two-Year College Transfer Grant Program has provided grants to students as an incentive to complete an associate degree before transferring. However, the funds for the grant program are limited.

The State Committee on Transfer, comprised of representatives from two-year colleges and public and private four-year institutions, implements and monitors transfer-related policies and facilitates communication and outreach regarding transfer.

Another key effort is Transfer Virginia, a legislatively ignited opportunity with the goal of enhancing transparency, consistency, and efficiency in the transfer process.  This initiative is a statewide collaborative involving SCHEV, the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), Richard Bland College, all public four-year institutions*, as well as participating private four-year institutions.

Transfer Virginia developed associate-degree common curricula for 28 disciplines and standardized associate degree requirements for all 23 community colleges. In addition, the initiative has created 475 (and counting) student-facing transfer guides that map specific coursework needed to ensure a seamless and efficient transfer into the student’s field of study. Approximately 4,200 individuals viewed these transfer guides in May 2025 alone. The most accessed transfer guides were engineering, business, computer science, general studies, education, biology, and psychology. All transfer guides and additional transfer-related information are found on the Transfer Virginia Portal.

The next steps

The Commonwealth has made substantial improvements to the 2+2 transfer pathway process through the Transfer Virginia work, specifically around pathway mapping and transfer guide creation. Most notably, more than 60% of students now transfer with an associate degree, compared to only 29% in 2010. However, the number of students who struggle to complete a bachelor's degree within two years post-transfer remains concerning.

Reducing transfer barriers, especially those involving credit loss, must continue to be a state priority. SCHEV expects the growth of transfer guides created by Transfer Virginia to continue to help ensure transfer credits do not merely transfer but apply to bachelor’s degree requirements. Colleges and universities must think beyond academic barriers and acknowledge the personal and social barriers faced by transfer students. Further work to embrace transfer students and their individual journeys must occur before these students step foot on campus and continue into the classroom and campus culture. Additionally, and as addressed herein, financial barriers are a considerable obstacle for transfer students as well. Continued support and awareness of the College Transfer Grant program is a step in the right direction to further assist Virginia’s transfer students.

In conclusion, the data show that students who complete an associate degree prior to transfer are more successful in both baccalaureate degree completion as well as in financial savings. The Commonwealth plans to continue these efforts so even more Virginia transfer students are on an economical path to the baccalaureate degree.

* As per Code of Virginia § 23.1-907(H), Virginia Military Institute is exempted from statutory requirements related to transfer.