UNC System sees record number of transfer students in 2025

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- This fall, the University of North Carolina System's 16 universities welcomed a record 18,719 transfer students, an 8.2% increase compared to fall 2024. Of those, 10,840 transferred from community colleges, underscoring the system's ongoing efforts to simplify and improve transfer pathways for students.

The UNC System is highlighting this historic number amid National Transfer Student Week, Oct. 20-24, a celebration of transfer students and the professionals who support them.

"Transfer students bring a wealth of talent and experience to our universities, improving the quality of education for everyone," said UNC System President Peter Hans. "We've worked hard over the past few years to simplify our admissions, scholarship and credit policies so that North Carolina's public universities are extending a warm invitation to students of all backgrounds. Our growing population of transfer students shows that those efforts are making a difference for the people we serve."

Transfer process reform is a central focus of the UNC System's efforts to cut red tape and make college more accessible.

"Our systems are working more closely than ever to ensure community college students have a clear and seamless path to continue their education within the UNC System," said Dr. Jeff Cox, president of the North Carolina Community College System. "By removing barriers and improving access to information, we're helping students make confident, informed choices about their futures."

This year, the UNC Board of Governors approved major revisions to transfer requirements for students moving from community colleges, aiming to clarify student protections and transfer rules. The State Board of Community Colleges approved these changes last week.

Since 2022, the system has maintained a shared catalog of general education courses with matching course numbers across all 16 universities, allowing transfer students to see how credits apply toward four-year degrees.

In February, a new UNC System regulation shortened the wait for transcript review, requiring institutions to complete credit transfer evaluations within 15 business days for students submitting three or fewer transcripts.

The launch of the Transfer Credit and Appeals Portal this year created a clear online path for students to appeal transfer-credit decisions, reviewed by transfer advisory committees and UNC System staff. More than 1,500 transfer guides are available to North Carolina Community College students, outlining courses needed to earn a four-year degree at their chosen UNC institution.

Looking ahead, the UNC System plans to expand transfer agreements in high-demand fields and applied science programs, build a statewide transfer advisory structure, and align advising, faculty engagement, policies, and data systems to provide clear, consistent information to students. The system will also expand support for adult learners, military and veteran students, and dual-enrolled students, helping more North Carolinians complete their education and enter the workforce.

The UNC System's record transfer numbers come as many universities across the state offer no application fees during College Application Week to encourage enrollment.

Amid National Transfer Student week, Fayetteville State University is spotlighting its Bronco Benefit Transfer Initiative, which guarantees admission for students who graduate with an approved associate degree from Fayetteville Technical Community College, Bladen, Sandhills, or Wake Technical Community College and meet GPA requirements. The initiative also waives application fees, provides early advising, offers scholarships, and connects students with essential resources.

"At FSU, we are dedicated to student success," said Pamela Baldwin, vice chancellor for Strategic Enrollment and Student Success. "We strive to eliminate roadblocks and elevate the student experience from start to finish. The Bronco Benefit Transfer Initiative is a testament to this promise, providing intentional, clear pathways for our transfer students and adult learners to complete their degrees and become active, contributing members of our community."

Transfer students who now attend FSU, like Stephany Coward and Tjuana Spruill, illustrate the positive effects of these initiatives. Coward, a biology major aiming to become a pediatric physical therapist, transferred from a community college in New York.

"It just feels like I'm with my family, to be honest," she said. "I got a recommendation from my family member, and she lives around here. So, I was like, 'why not?' And when I came, I did visit, it just felt like this was my place."

Spruill started college during the pandemic and was initially nervous about transferring to a four-year university.

"When the world was shut down and then coming back into society again and being on campus. It definitely was a culture shock," she said. "Soon, Fayetteville State made me feel like I was at home and I felt like I could definitely expand."

Spruill, who is studying forensic science, is about to graduate.

"I'm actually still in shock. I'm not going to lie, but I'm proud that I'm actually here, and I'm glad the steps that I've taken to come to Fayetteville State," she said. "It was the best choice that I've made."

Dr. Cierra Griffin, FSU assistant vice chancellor overseeing the transfer program, said, "You telling them that 'you can get past this, you're going to graduate' - to see it happen, and for them to be like, 'Yeah, it happened, you told me it will happen,' it's indescribable."

FSU transfer program director Brittany Mundy highlighted that there can be so many ripple effects of one success story.

"You have to have some hope. You have to have the option to see 'if I can do this at 45. Then my son, who's 20, can do it as well, right? Or my daughter who's 18, or maybe thinking about college, she can do it too'," she said.

Universities such as Fayetteville State are working to expanding staff and class sections to support growing transfer student populations. The state's community colleges and public universities continue to collaborate closely to build clear, accessible, and supportive transfer pathways that help more North Carolinians achieve their educational and career goals.

Part of what makes FSU such an accessible program for many students is that it is now one of four NC Promise universities in the UNC System, which means tuition is capped each semester at $500 for in-state students and $2,500 for out-of-state students.

FSU will host a Fall Open House on Nov. 1 at the Seabrook Auditorium, featuring campus tours, faculty and student meet-and-greets, and complimentary tickets to the football game against Johnson C. Smith University