What age do most college transfers fall into?

As someone considering transferring, I'm wondering about the age range of most transfer students. Do people usually transfer at a certain point in their college career, or does it vary widely?

The age range for college transfer students can indeed vary widely. While it's common for many students to transfer after their sophomore year when they've completed an Associate's degree at a 2-year college, others may opt to transfer earlier or later in their academic journey depending on their individual circumstances and goals.

Although there isn't comprehensive data specifically on the age of transfer students, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reported that in the 2018-2019 academic year, about 38% of all transfers were from students aged 20-24. This age range includes traditional students who enrolled in college directly after high school, and suggests that most transfers occur during or after their sophomore year.

However, keep in mind, older students, including those returning to school to finish an incomplete degree or those seeking a career change, also count in the statistics of transfer students. Thus, while part of the population does seem to fall into that 20-24 age bracket, the transfer student body as a whole is diverse! The best time to transfer really depends on your individual circumstances, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer.