How many community college students transfer to universities?

I'm currently in community college and thinking about transferring to a four-year university. Do many students successfully make this transition? I'm curious if this is a common path or if it's less frequent.

Many community college students indeed transition to a four-year university, so you're certainly not alone in considering this pathway. According to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, about 80% of entering community college students intend to transfer to a four-year institution eventually. However, actual rates may differ—the same report reveals that about 38% of students who started in a community college in 2011 transferred to a four-year college within six years.

It's important to note that success in transferring can depend on several factors, including the policies of the university you're interested in and the strength of articulation agreements, which are agreements between community colleges and four-year colleges that make the transfer process smoother.

In short, transferring from a community college to a four-year university is a well-trodden path. It does require careful planning and knowledge of the transfer policies at your targeted universities, so be sure to do your research and reach out to both your current academic advisor and admissions officials at your prospective university to make the transition as smooth as possible.