How common is it for students to transfer colleges?

I'm curious about how many students transfer from one college to another. Is this something a lot of people do? I'm considering it, but I'm not sure if it's the norm.

Transferring from one college to another is fairly common and definitely not out of the ordinary. Nationally, about 38% of college students transfer at least once within six years. Considering two-year institutions, the rate is even higher. For those starting at a community college, about 80% intend to earn at least a bachelor’s degree and about half move on to a four-year institution.

There are a variety of reasons that students choose to transfer colleges - to attend a institution that better aligns with their academic goals, to move from a two-year to a four-year program, dissatisfaction with the social environment, financial constraints, or to relocate to a different geographic region.

While transferring isn't unusual, it's important to know that the process can have its own challenges, such as aligning credits, adjusting to a new academic and social environment, or navigating different application expectations. Therefore, students typically spend time researching their prospective schools, ensuring classes will transfer, and weighing the pros and cons before making a decision to move.

And remember, your decision to transfer should focus on what's in your best interest academically and personally, don't worry about what's considered the norm. Every student's journey is unique!