Get into a college you couldn't get into as a freshman.

How it works: Students at accredited community colleges (in Arizona and beyond) build a personalized, course-by-course transfer map into one of 400+ ASU major pathways. Following the map and meeting the requirements yields guaranteed admission to ASU and to the chosen MyPath2ASU major.

Requirements: Minimum 24 transferable post-high-school credits; cumulative GPA 2.00 (Arizona residents) or 2.50 (non-residents); high-school graduation verified. Some majors have higher requirements.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: complete lower-division credits at community-college tuition and avoid lost/duplicate credits via the guided map before paying ASU tuition.

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How it works: A student completes a designated associate degree at a partner Arkansas community college (e.g., UACCM, NWACC, ASU-Beebe, North Arkansas College) following a degree-specific 2+2 plan, then transfers into the matching bachelor's program at the four-year university with pre-mapped courses. Agreements clarify course-by-course transfer for the specific major; they do not by themselves guarantee admission.

Requirements: Complete the specified associate degree / 2+2 course plan with grades typically C or better; meet the receiving university's transfer admission requirements and any major prerequisites; work with a transfer advisor. Varies by institution and program.

The cost angle: Same price as ordinary transfer; value is avoiding lost/duplicated credits by following the pre-aligned plan.

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How it works: The DSU side of the Delaware Tech Connected Degree partnership. DTCC students receive admission to DSU while still completing their associate degree, plus academic advising, on-campus information sessions at DTCC, and guaranteed residence hall placement if requirements are met, then transition into a corresponding DSU bachelor's program.

Requirements: Minimum 2.5 GPA in the completed associate degree; must finish the full associate degree; enroll at DSU within one year of DTCC graduation without attending another institution in between; submit Intent-to-Enroll by Sept 15 (fall grads) or Jan 31 (spring grads). Eligible students completing the associate at 2.5+ and enrolling with 12+ credits receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: lower community-college tuition for the first two years plus a $1,000 transfer scholarship; smooth credit transfer avoids paying to repeat coursework.

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How it works: Delaware Tech (the state's single statewide community college) maintains program-to-program articulation (Connected Degree) agreements that map associate-degree credits directly onto bachelor's degrees at partner four-year institutions, including the University of Delaware and Delaware State University. Students who complete an associate degree at the required GPA and enter a guaranteed-agreement institution are guaranteed admission to that partner institution.

Requirements: Complete a Delaware Tech associate degree and meet the specified cumulative GPA for the agreement (programs commonly require at least a 2.0; some require 2.5 or higher and a minimum C, occasionally B, in courses). Students are advised to confirm eligibility with the receiving institution.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: students complete the first ~two years at Delaware Tech's lower tuition and avoid losing/repeating credits, reducing total bachelor's cost.

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How it works: Students who complete an approved transferable associate degree from a VCCS college or Richard Bland College with the required GPA and core coursework are guaranteed admission to JMU.

Requirements: Approved transferable associate degree; cumulative 3.0 GPA (and 3.0 in core English, math, lab science, social science); at least one college-level transferable course in each core area; GAA criteria must be met at every college attended.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at community-college tuition before transferring to JMU.

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How it works: Keene State's implementation of the statewide guarantee. A CCSNH associate-degree graduate is guaranteed admission to Keene State and enters as a third-year student; associate credits apply automatically as a credit block. Transfers are auto-considered for merit scholarships with no extra application or essay.

Requirements: Associate degree from a NH community college; minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0; no grade lower than a C.

The cost angle: Cheaper: two years at community-college tuition, full block-credit transfer (enter as a junior), automatic merit-scholarship consideration.

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How it works: 2+2 articulation agreements with participating Kansas community colleges map a plan of study so students complete an associate degree at the community college, then finish the bachelor's in roughly two more years at PSU. Pittsburg State pairs this with automatic transfer admission: a transfer student is automatically admitted with a 2.0 cumulative GPA on all college coursework.

Requirements: Automatic admission requires a 2.0 cumulative GPA on all college coursework; transfer classification requires 24+ post-high-school credit hours. Students below standards may petition the Office of Admission.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: first two years at community-college tuition under a mapped 2+2 plan, with automatic PSU admission and 3.0-GPA transfers eligible for a Great Gorilla Scholarship.

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How it works: PSU's implementation of the statewide guarantee. A CCSNH student completes an associate degree (block transfer) and is guaranteed admission to Plymouth State, entering with general-education requirements fulfilled and credit for applicable major courses. PSU also advertises guaranteed admission/housing for transfers meeting its credit and GPA threshold.

Requirements: Associate degree from a regionally accredited institution (CCSNH); PSU guaranteed-admission/housing path cited as minimum 24 credits and cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above; vocational/technical programs evaluated individually.

The cost angle: Cheaper: associate degree completed at community-college tuition transfers as a full credit block, avoiding lost credits and extra semesters at PSU; no application fee or essay.

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How it works: Builds on the MTA by publishing major-specific, statewide course maps (e.g., Biology, Business, Psychology, Mechanical Engineering, Criminal Justice) that tell a community-college student exactly which associate-degree courses transfer toward a bachelor's in that field at participating Michigan universities. The state continues to develop new pathway areas.

Requirements: Follow the published pathway course map within the associate degree; general MTA completion (30 credits, 2.0+ per course) underpins the gen-ed portion. Specific course lists vary by program area.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: minimizes wasted/non-transferring credits, so students complete more of the degree at community-college tuition without retaking courses.

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How it works: A student earns an associate degree at the Community College of Vermont (CCV), then transfers with guaranteed admission to a participating four-year institution. CCV is the entry point and the agreement (a signed Memorandum of Agreement) ensures acceptance at participating partners for associate-degree holders who meet the GPA threshold.

Requirements: Earn a CCV associate degree; meet a minimum GPA of 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0 depending on the institution/program.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: students complete ~60 credits at low-cost CCV community-college tuition before transferring to higher-cost four-year tuition, cutting roughly two years of bachelor's-level tuition.

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How it works: Students at any Alabama public community college follow a major-specific transfer guide that maps general-education and pre-major courses to a chosen public four-year university; completing the guided courses guarantees the credits transfer and count toward the degree. It is administered by the Alabama General Studies Committee (AGSC) and mandated by Code of Alabama Section 16-5-8; it is a credit-articulation system, NOT an admission guarantee.

Requirements: Enroll at a participating Alabama public two-year college, declare a major and destination public university, and follow the official transfer guide course list. No statewide GPA/credit guarantee of admission; admission standards are set by each receiving university.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: complete freshman/sophomore general education at low community-college tuition with assurance credits won't be lost, then pay university tuition only for upper-division work.

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How it works: A student completes the 35-credit statewide general-education block (AGEC-A, -B, or -S) at any Arizona public community college; the AGEC transfers as a block to all three public universities. Completing the AGEC with a 2.5 GPA or higher guarantees admission to ASU, NAU, and UA. Born of 1996 state legislation and coordinated by the AZTransfer Steering Committee.

Requirements: AGEC (35 credits) completed with a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at an Arizona community college. Specific/selective majors may impose additional requirements after transfer.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: students complete ~2 years at lower community-college tuition before paying university tuition, and the AGEC block prevents credit loss/retaking courses.

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How it works: A student starts at any Arkansas public two-year college and completes an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Arts in Teaching. Under the Roger Phillips Transfer Act and Act 747, the completed degree's lower-level credits transfer seamlessly into a baccalaureate program at any Arkansas public four-year university without loss of credit, and ACTS guarantees comparable individual courses transfer for full credit. This guarantees credit transfer, not admission to the four-year school.

Requirements: Complete an AA/AS/AAT at an Arkansas public two-year institution; grades of C or better (D courses are not guaranteed to transfer); courses must be ACTS 'comparable courses.' Student must still separately apply and meet the receiving university's transfer admission criteria.

The cost angle: Same price as ordinary transfer; saves money indirectly by ensuring no credits are lost or repeated (no re-taking general education).

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How it works: A student earns a transfer associate degree (AA-T or AS-T, max 60 transferable units) at any California Community College, then transfers into the CSU system; the 60 CC units plus 60 CSU units equals a 120-unit bachelor's. Created by SB 1440 (2010).

Requirements: Complete an AA-T/AS-T at a California Community College with the required GPA (generally 2.0+, higher for impacted campuses/majors) and meet CSU upper-division transfer eligibility (60 transferable semester units).

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at low-cost CC tuition before CSU, and the 120-unit cap avoids paying for excess/repeat units.

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How it works: A statewide agreement (MOA dated March 2021, facilitated with NEBHE) under which a student completes a CCRI associate degree and is guaranteed admission to a participating independent Rhode Island university with junior standing and guaranteed credit transfer. Distinct from the JAA, which covers the public URI/RIC; the RI Guarantee covers private RI institutions. Currently active per CCRI's transfer center page.

Requirements: Earn a CCRI associate degree; minimum GPA varies by institution: Roger Williams 2.4; Bryant 3.0; Salve Regina 3.0. Some majors are excluded (e.g., Bryant excludes International Business and Data Science; Salve Regina excludes Nursing, Education, and accelerated programs).

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: low-cost (often free) CCRI for the first two years, then sizable guaranteed merit awards at the private partner (e.g., Roger Williams at least $20,000/yr, Bryant $14,000-$20,000/yr, Salve Regina ~$21,500-$25,000/yr) plus waived application fee.

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How it works: A student earns an AA, AS, or AAS degree at a CUNY community college and is guaranteed admission to a CUNY four-year (senior) college. Under CUNY Pathways, an earned AA/AS is deemed to complete the general-education Common Core, and an AA/AS transfers a minimum of 60 credits toward the 120-credit bachelor's degree.

Requirements: AA, AS, or AAS degree from a CUNY community college with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. Apply via the CUNY transfer application.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: complete the first ~60 credits at lower CUNY community-college tuition, then finish at in-state CUNY senior-college rates; guaranteed credit recognition prevents credit loss and retaking courses.

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How it works: A new, first-time student opts in at any of the 13 CCCS community colleges at the start of (or within the first semester of) their associate degree; on completing any AA or AS degree they receive guaranteed admission to a participating four-year partner university.

Requirements: Opt in at start of the associate degree, maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, and complete an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science (including AA/AS Degrees with Designation).

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper - completes the first two years at community-college tuition with a locked-in seat at the university, and several partners add transfer scholarships.

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How it works: A student completes the 31-credit GT Pathways general-education core (and, for a major-specific path, a 60-credit Associate of Arts or Associate of Science 'Degree with Designation' under a STAA) at any Colorado public community college; the credits are guaranteed to transfer and, upon admission to a Colorado public four-year institution, the student enters with junior status and finishes the bachelor's in no more than 60 additional credits (120 total).

Requirements: C- or higher in each GT Pathways course (guaranteed to transfer for up to 10 years); for a Degree with Designation, complete the 60-credit associate degree in the discipline. GT Pathways credit transfer is automatic; STAA junior-status benefit requires admission to the receiving institution.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper - two years at community-college tuition before university, with no lost credits, capping the bachelor's at 120 credits total.

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How it works: A statewide articulation guarantee: a student earns an associate degree at any of the 7 Community College System of NH (CCSNH) colleges, then is guaranteed admission to a participating four-year institution with no application fee or essay. CCSNH and the University System of NH maintain 100+ pre-approved transfer pathways so associate credits transfer as a block toward the bachelor's. Participating receivers include UNH (Durham, Manchester, and CPS Online), Plymouth State, Keene State, plus private partners Colby-Sawyer, Franklin Pierce, and New England College.

Requirements: Associate degree from a NH community college; minimum cumulative GPA tier of 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0 depending on the receiving institution; eligibility criteria of the chosen college must be met.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at lower community-college tuition before transferring, plus waived application fee and access to transfer scholarships/grants previously reserved for first-years.

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How it works: A student earns a designated 'Transfer Ticket' associate degree at CT State Community College (the merged statewide community college), then transfers to one of the four CT State Universities (Central, Eastern, Southern, Western) or Charter Oak State College with full junior status and only 60 credits remaining in the major, on a program-to-program (not course-by-course) basis. Launched April 2017; designed by 350+ faculty across the 17-campus CSCU system.

Requirements: Complete a Transfer Ticket associate degree. Minimum 2.0 ('C') course grade to transfer and 2.0 minimum GPA for admission, though many specific majors require 2.5 or higher per their major-by-major articulation.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: completing the first two years at low-cost CT State Community College before finishing the bachelor's at a CT State University saves substantial tuition versus four years at the university, with no loss of credit.

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How it works: A partnership between CT State Community College and participating four-year independent (private) Connecticut colleges. A student who earns an associate degree through the CSCU transfer system is guaranteed admission to a participating independent college (e.g., Sacred Heart University, University of Hartford, University of New Haven, University of Bridgeport, Quinnipiac). Each participating college sets its own GPA threshold and approved-major list.

Requirements: Earn an associate degree from a CT Community College obtained through the CSCU transfer system; meet the participating college's minimum GPA (e.g., Sacred Heart requires a 2.5 GPA). Each college publishes its own approved majors and requirements.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two low-cost community college years plus participating private colleges often layer on transfer merit scholarships and Phi Theta Kappa awards, reducing the private-college sticker price.

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How it works: Earn an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree at any of Florida's 28 public state/community colleges and you are guaranteed admission to one of the 12 public State University System institutions (not necessarily your first-choice university or campus), with at least 60 lower-division credits accepted. Codified in Florida Statute 1007.23 since 1972.

Requirements: Complete an A.A. degree at a Florida College System institution. General-education requirements deemed satisfied. No system-wide minimum GPA for the baseline guarantee, but individual universities/limited-access programs set their own thresholds.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at low community-college tuition before paying university rates; roughly 25%+ savings on the first half of a bachelor's.

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How it works: A student starts at any Idaho community college (e.g., CWI, CSI, CEI, NIC) and completes an AA/AS degree or the 36-credit GEM general-education core; upon transfer to any Idaho four-year public institution they are deemed 'core certified' and are not required to repeat lower-division general education. It guarantees credit/general-ed transfer and is a structured articulation pathway, but does not by itself guarantee admission to the receiving university or to a specific major.

Requirements: Earn an AA or AS (or equivalent general-education core, typically 30-36 GEM semester credits) from a regionally accredited Idaho institution; receiving universities still apply their own admission standards (generally 2.0+ cumulative GPA on transferable credits).

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: students complete lower-division/general-education coursework at community-college tuition and avoid retaking general-ed courses after transfer, reducing total credits paid for the bachelor's degree.

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How it works: Statewide articulation agreement among 100+ Illinois two- and four-year institutions. A student completes the IAI General Education Core Curriculum (GECC, ~37-41 credits) at any participating Illinois community college; every participating receiving institution must accept the completed GECC package in lieu of its own lower-division general education requirements, easing transfer. Backed by the IAI Act (Public Act 103-0469, 2023).

Requirements: Complete the full IAI GECC general-education package (about 12-13 courses / 37-41 semester credits across five categories) at a participating Illinois institution; individual majors may add prerequisites.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: completes lower-division general education at community-college tuition and protects those credits from being re-taken after transfer.

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How it works: A defined block of at least 30 credit hours of general-education courses (6 competency areas) that, once completed, is guaranteed to transfer as a block to any Indiana public college/university and satisfy lower-division general-education requirements, letting a student 'start as a sophomore.' Established by Senate Enrolled Act 182 (2013). Distinct from the Core Transfer Library (88 individual pre-approved courses).

Requirements: Complete the 30-credit Indiana College Core block (often via Ivy Tech 'Start as a Sophomore'); adequate grades. Indiana statewide.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: completes the first ~year of general education at community-college tuition with no lost credit on transfer.

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How it works: Established in 2013-2015 by Senate Enrolled Act 182, TSAP lets a student complete a designated competency-based associate degree (Associate of Science) at Ivy Tech Community College or Vincennes University and transfer the entire associate degree as the first two years toward a companion bachelor's program at an Indiana public four-year university, entering with junior standing. Roughly 16-19 program areas (Biology, Business Administration, Computer Science, Nursing, Education, Psychology, Engineering Technology, etc.); offered statewide across Ivy Tech, Vincennes, and 4-year publics including IU campuses, Purdue/PNW/PFW, Ball State, ISU, USI.

Requirements: Complete a TSAP-designated associate degree (incl. the Statewide Transfer General Education Core). Minimum grades vary; many companion programs/GAAs layer a 2.0-3.0 GPA requirement. Indiana 2-year college students only.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at community-college tuition (Ivy Tech/Vincennes) before the four-year, with no lost credits, saving thousands vs. four years at the university.

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How it works: Iowa's three public (Regent) universities and all 15 community colleges maintain eight statewide articulation agreements, coordinated since 1972 by the Liaison Advisory Committee on Transfer Students (LACTS) and published as 'The Public Connection.' A completed AA or AS degree transfers as a block and satisfies most General Education / CORE requirements at the receiving Regent university, with the transferiniowa.org course-equivalency tools showing how credits apply.

Requirements: Complete an AA or AS degree at an Iowa community college; transfer GPA thresholds for admission are set by each Regent university (e.g., AA-degree holders need ~2.0 cumulative transfer GPA at Iowa/ISU). No statewide residency rule beyond being an Iowa CC student.

The cost angle: Cheaper: two years at community-college tuition before paying university tuition, with credits engineered to transfer so students avoid paying twice for the same coursework.

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How it works: A KBOR-administered framework where faculty-approved 'Systemwide Transfer' (SWT) courses are guaranteed to transfer to any Kansas public institution offering an equivalent course. Students take general-education and major-prep courses at any Kansas public community/technical college and the credits transfer systemwide, with all six public universities (KU, K-State, WSU, ESU, FHSU, PSU) plus Washburn participating. It guarantees credit portability, not admission.

Requirements: No GPA threshold to use the framework; SWT-designated courses transfer regardless of grade above passing. Receiving institution retains discretion on how lower-division credit applies to upper-division/major requirements.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: lets students complete up to ~60 lower-division hours at low community-college tuition with assurance the credits will not be lost, before paying university tuition.

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How it works: Associate-to-baccalaureate pathways from any Kansas public community college offering an approved associate degree to any Kansas public university offering the matching bachelor's. Completing the ~60-hour associate pathway transfers as the first 60 hours toward the articulated baccalaureate. Currently approved in five high-volume programs: Business Administration/Management/Operations, Computer Science, Elementary Education PK-6, Pre-Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Pre-Social Work.

Requirements: Complete the ~60-credit approved associate-degree pathway aligned to the KBOR general-education framework. Admission to the receiving university is still subject to that university's transfer-admission standards.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: structures the full first two years at community-college tuition with no wasted credits toward a specific major.

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How it works: A student starts at any of the 16 KCTCS community/technical colleges and completes an approved associate degree (AA/AS) or the statewide general education certification (33 hrs, min 15 at KCTCS); upon completion they receive junior-level standing and have all general education categories accepted as a block at every Kentucky public four-year university, plus priority admission over out-of-state applicants meeting the same criteria.

Requirements: Approved associate degree or full gen-ed certification; transfer students with 24+ hrs need min 2.0 GPA; gen-ed cert requires min 15 hrs at KCTCS.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at KCTCS (community-college tuition) before paying four-year university tuition, with credits guaranteed to apply.

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How it works: Mandated by Act 308 (2022) and approved by the Board of Regents in Dec. 2023 (launched Fall 2024), this builds standardized 60-credit, major-specific transfer packages (24+ subject pathways: Business, Engineering, Nursing, Criminal Justice, Psychology, etc.). A student completes the pathway at any Louisiana public two-year college, then transfers all 60 credits to any participating public university toward the matching bachelor's, owing no more than the remaining credits for the degree.

Requirements: Complete the designated Universal Transfer Pathway curriculum at a Louisiana public community college; meet the receiving university's general transfer admission standards.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: roughly two years at community-college tuition before paying university tuition, with no lost/repeated credits.

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How it works: Under the statewide articulation statute (RS 17:3163), a student who earns the AA-Louisiana Transfer or AS-Louisiana Transfer degree (grade C or better in each course) has all 60 hours and lower-division general-education requirements accepted and is admitted to the upper division of any Louisiana public four-year university with junior standing.

Requirements: Earn the AA-LT or AS-LT associate degree with a minimum grade of C in each course; meet the university's general transfer admission requirements.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: complete the full first two years at community-college tuition with all credits guaranteed to transfer.

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How it works: A student starts at any Maryland community college and completes an associate degree (A.A., A.S., A.A.T.) or 56 transferable semester credits with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0; under state regulation they cannot be denied direct transfer to a Maryland public four-year institution (subject to space). General education completed at the community college transfers as a block without course-by-course review.

Requirements: Associate degree OR 56 transferable credits, cumulative GPA 2.0+ on a 4.0 scale, from a Maryland public community college. A.A.S. degrees often excluded; capacity caveat applies.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at community-college tuition before paying four-year tuition; guaranteed GenEd block transfer avoids retaking/duplicating courses, saving time and credits.

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How it works: An enhanced A2B track. Student signs a participation form before earning 15 community-college credits, follows an A2B Mapped pathway full-time, earns the associate degree, then transfers to the pre-declared state university or UMass campus. Adds a frozen tuition rate and per-semester rebates on top of standard A2B benefits. Currently active.

Requirements: Declare major and target 4-year campus before 15 credits; continuous full-time enrollment (12+ credits); maintain 3.0 GPA every semester; complete associate degree within 2.5 years; enroll at the 4-year campus within one year. In-state residency required for financial benefits.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: tuition and mandatory fees frozen at entry, plus a 10% rebate each completed semester and standard MassTransfer tuition credit; average ~40% savings (~$5,090) off a bachelor's. Community-college portion now free under MassEducate.

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How it works: Earn an A2B-designated associate degree at any of the 15 Massachusetts community colleges following a published A2B Mapped/Linked pathway in your major, then transfer to a state university or UMass campus. Credits and general-education foundation transfer in a block; benefits scale by final GPA. Currently active and the state's primary articulation framework.

Requirements: Complete an A2B associate degree (~60 credits). GPA 2.0+ = guaranteed transfer of 60 credits, no app fee, no essay. GPA 3.0+ = guaranteed admission (space permitting) plus MassTransfer tuition credit for two years. Some receiving majors are selective and require higher GPA/prerequisites.

The cost angle: Cheaper: students complete ~60 credits at community college (now tuition-free for MA residents under MassEducate, 2024+) before transferring, saving an average of ~28% on the bachelor's degree.

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How it works: A student completes a defined 30-credit block of general-education coursework at any Michigan community college; when the 'MTA Satisfied' endorsement appears on the transcript, the receiving four-year institution accepts those credits as fulfilling its lower-division general-education requirements. It is a credit-portability/articulation framework, not an admission decision.

Requirements: Minimum 30 semester credits with at least 2.0 in each course (1 English Composition, a 2nd Composition or Communications course, 2 Social Sciences from different disciplines, 2 Natural Sciences incl. one lab, 2 Humanities/Fine Arts from different disciplines, 1 College Algebra/Statistics/Quantitative Reasoning); at least 1 credit earned at the awarding institution.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: students complete ~1 year of gen-ed at lower community-college tuition before transferring, reducing total degree cost.

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How it works: Earn an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree and complete the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum at any of the 26 Minnesota State colleges; you are then guaranteed admission with junior-year status and full credit transfer to any of the seven Minnesota State universities (Bemidji State, Metropolitan State, MSU Mankato, MSU Moorhead, St. Cloud State, Southwest MN State, Winona State).

Requirements: A.A. degree + completed Minnesota Transfer Curriculum; minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (Winona State requires 2.4). Minnesota State college student.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: complete the first two years at a Minnesota State college, where tuition/fees run roughly one-half to one-tenth the cost of other in-state options, before transferring to a university.

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How it works: Complete a specific Transfer Pathway associate degree (a fixed 60-credit lower-division curriculum) at a Minnesota State community college; once admitted to a Minnesota State university you are guaranteed junior status and all 60 credits apply toward the designated related bachelor's degree. Coursework can be taken on campus or online.

Requirements: Completion of a designated Transfer Pathway associate degree at one of 26 participating Minnesota State colleges; must separately meet any major-specific admission requirements. GPA not specified on the program page.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at lower-cost Minnesota State college tuition with zero lost credits, then transfer to finish the bachelor's at a university.

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How it works: A student completes lower-division coursework (up to about one-half of a bachelor's hours, typically an AA/AS or the 64-hour CORE) at any Mississippi public community/junior college, using the MATT database to take courses that articulate to a chosen public university and major, then applies to transfer. MATT is managed by the IHL Office of Academic and Student Affairs and aligns all 15 community colleges with the 8 public universities.

Requirements: No statewide GPA/credit guarantee; transfer admission requirements vary by university (commonly an associate degree OR ~24-30 transferable hours with at least a 2.0 GPA). Students are advised to declare a major by 24 hours. Mississippi residency not required to use MATT.

The cost angle: Cheaper: two years at community-college tuition before paying university tuition; designed to minimize lost/repeated credits, reducing time-to-degree and total cost.

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How it works: Established by Senate Bill 997, CORE 42 is a 42-credit-hour general-education block plus a common course-numbering system (MOTR). A student completes CORE 42 at any Missouri public (or participating independent) college, and the entire block transfers to every other Missouri public institution and satisfies its gen-ed requirement; individual MOTR courses also transfer one-to-one.

Requirements: Complete the 42-hour gen-ed block across five knowledge areas (Communications, Humanities & Fine Arts, Math, Natural Sciences, Social & Behavioral Sciences). No GPA threshold for the credit guarantee itself; admission/major requirements still apply.

The cost angle: Cheaper: prevents lost/retaken credits when transferring, reducing time and tuition to a bachelor's degree.

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How it works: Discipline-specific lower-division curricula (e.g., Psychology, Computer Science, Chemistry, Biology, Business) define the first two years of study. A student completes the pathway at any MUS campus (including a community college or a university-affiliated 2-year college), then transfers to any participating 4-year MUS campus offering a bachelor's in that field to finish in roughly two more years.

Requirements: Complete the pathway curriculum including full general education; pass all required courses with C- or better; transfer to a 4-year MUS campus offering the discipline. Credits within 5 years transfer fully.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: completes lower-division (including all gen ed) at lower-cost 2-year tuition before transferring, avoiding retaken/lost credits via common course numbering.

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How it works: Articulation agreement signed November 2, 1995 by 25 Nebraska post-secondary institutions establishing a common general-education core (34 semester hours) within the Associate of Arts academic-transfer degree. A student who completes the articulated core (grade C or above) and is admitted in transfer to a signatory institution is granted standing comparable to native students who completed equivalent credits.

Requirements: Complete the articulated AA general-education core with grade C or above; must still be admitted in transfer to the receiving signatory institution.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: lets students finish the gen-ed core at community-college prices and carry it intact toward a baccalaureate, avoiding repeated/lost credits.

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How it works: Statewide transfer-credit system (launched 2014) partnering all Nebraska community/tribal colleges, state colleges, and the University of Nebraska System. Students start at a Nebraska community college, use the Transferology-powered Transfer Nebraska portal to see which courses transfer toward a specific bachelor's degree, then apply to transfer in. It standardizes course equivalencies but does not itself admit students.

Requirements: No GPA/credit minimum to use the tool; transfer admission and credit acceptance are set by each receiving institution (typically grade of C or better to transfer; receiving campus GPA rules apply).

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: students complete lower-division credits at community-college tuition (a fraction of UNL/UNO/UNK tuition) before transferring, with reduced credit loss.

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How it works: A student earns an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Business at any NSHE community college (CSN, TMCC, WNC, GBC). On completion, the degree automatically fulfills lower-division general-education requirements and the student enters an NSHE university (UNLV, UNR, Nevada State) with junior standing. Coordinated by Board of Regents policy, Common Course Numbering, and the Transfer Nevada portal.

Requirements: Complete an AA, AS, or AB at an NSHE community college; good academic standing. AAS/AGS degrees do not qualify for the gen-ed waiver.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper — two years at low community-college tuition before paying university tuition, with no loss of credit, avoiding the most expensive lower-division university years.

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How it works: A student earns an Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate in Science (AS) degree at any of NJ's 18-19 community colleges; under the 2008 law all 60-64 credits transfer in full to any NJ public four-year institution and the student enters with junior standing into a coordinating major. It governs credit acceptance, not a seat: admission and major placement still depend on the receiving institution.

Requirements: Completed AA or AS degree (AAS and AFA degrees are NOT covered); follow recommended major guidelines posted on NJ Transfer (njtransfer.org). No statewide minimum GPA in the law itself.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at community-college tuition before transferring, with no credit loss, so the student pays four-year tuition for only the final ~60 credits.

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How it works: Under state law, general education courses completed at any NM public college/university satisfy general education requirements at any other NM public institution a student transfers to; the Common Course Numbering System maps lower-division courses (and transfer modules in fields like business, engineering, sciences, education) to ease transfer toward a bachelor's.

Requirements: 31 general-education credit hours for associate/bachelor's-bound students (15 for AAS); courses must carry the matching NMCCNS designation. No minimum GPA specified for the gen-ed transfer guarantee itself.

The cost angle: Cheaper: lets students bank lower-division credit at community-college rates with assurance it counts, reducing duplicated coursework and total degree cost.

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How it works: A statewide agreement endorsed by North Dakota elementary-education faculty that lets a student complete an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science at a participating two-year college (e.g., NDSCS) with identified coursework, then transfer into a four-year campus's Bachelor of Science in Education (Elementary Education) program (e.g., Valley City State University) with minimal duplication. A recent institution-level signing (NDSCS-VCSU, Dec 2024) operationalizes the statewide framework.

Requirements: Complete the AA/AS with the identified elementary-education coursework; admission into the receiving teacher-education program is conditioned on academic criteria (overall GPA, required courses, passing the Praxis Core) and non-academic criteria (teacher-certification viability, ESPB background check). Covers 2025-2029.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at a lower-cost college with credits engineered to transfer fully into the B.S.Ed., reducing duplicated coursework and accelerating time-to-graduation.

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How it works: A systemwide agreement (adopted by the State Board of Higher Education in 1994, still active with a 2025 GERTA Guide) that lets a student complete general education at any NDUS campus, tribal college, or participating private college and have it carry to any other participating institution. If the student completes courses across the General Education Areas totaling at least 36 semester credits and finishes the sending institution's gen-ed requirements, they are deemed to have completed the lower-division general education requirements at the receiving institution.

Requirements: At least 36 semester credits spanning the General Education Areas (communications, arts/humanities, social sciences, math, science/technology) and completion of the home campus's gen-ed block; otherwise individual courses still apply. No minimum GPA specified in the agreement itself.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: lets students finish lower-division gen-ed at a lower-cost two-year/tribal college and avoid retaking or losing credits, reducing total time-to-degree and duplicated coursework.

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How it works: A student completes a major-specific pathway of courses while earning an associate degree (AA/AS/AAS) at any Ohio public community college; upon transfer to an Ohio public university, all pathway coursework is guaranteed to transfer AND apply toward the related bachelor's major (recorded on the transcript). It is a credit-application guarantee negotiated between the community colleges and universities, not an admission guarantee.

Requirements: Complete the specific OGTP course sequence for the chosen major at an Ohio public community college; earn the associate degree. Students must still separately meet the receiving university's program admission requirements, which 'in some cases may be competitive.'

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at community-college tuition with guaranteed credit application avoids lost/duplicated credits, then finish the bachelor's at the university.

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How it works: A 36-semester-hour general-education core (English, math, sciences, humanities, social/behavioral sciences, arts). Individual OT36-approved courses are guaranteed to transfer course-by-course among all Ohio public institutions; completing an AA or AS satisfies the receiving institution's OT36 requirement (Certificate of Proficiency in OT36).

Requirements: Take OT36-approved courses at any Ohio public institution; an earned AA/AS automatically fulfills the receiving school's OT36. No GPA or residency gate for the course-by-course transfer guarantee.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: lets students complete the gen-ed core at lower-cost community colleges with no risk of retaking it after transfer.

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How it works: A student earns an Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate in Science (AS) at any Oklahoma public two-year college, then transfers to any Oklahoma public four-year university; under a State Regents policy in place since 1975, the associate degree is guaranteed to satisfy the lower-division 37-hour general education core (all freshman/sophomore gen-ed requirements). A statewide Course Equivalency Matrix locks in which courses transfer as equivalent.

Requirements: Earn an AA or AS (not the AAS) from an Oklahoma public institution; meet the State Regents transfer-admission GPA tiers (generally 2.0 with 60+ hours; lower-hour tiers run ~1.7-2.5 depending on institution type and hours attempted). Gen-ed guarantee applies on degree completion.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: students complete the first two years at lower community-college tuition before paying four-year-university rates, with credits protected from loss by the equivalency matrix.

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How it works: Start at any Oregon community college and follow the Core Transfer Map (a ~30-credit general-education block) and/or a major-specific Major Transfer Map. Completing a Core Transfer Map guarantees those credits transfer as a block to any Oregon public university and count toward core bachelor's-degree requirements; completing a Major Transfer Map guarantees transfer into that major with junior standing at a participating public university. Administered by the HECC; the Compass is the umbrella brand for CTM, MTMs, Common Course Numbering, and statewide transfer degrees (AAOT/ASOT). Active and expanding (HECC approved administrative rules in Aug 2024; Vision Statement for Transfer endorsed Dec 2025).

Requirements: Complete the relevant Core Transfer Map or Major Transfer Map courses at an Oregon community college and separately meet the receiving university's admission requirements. Specific GPA/credit thresholds vary by university and map.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: students complete roughly two years at lower community-college tuition before paying university tuition, with assurance credits won't be lost or repeated.

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How it works: Successful completion of an associate degree at a PA community college (or Lackawanna College) guarantees admission to a State System university, with guaranteed junior standing when transferring with an AA or AS into a parallel academic program under the statewide P2P agreements.

Requirements: Earn an AA/AS (or qualifying associate) at a PA community college or Lackawanna College; transfer into a parallel program for guaranteed junior standing. Applies across the 10 PASSHE universities.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at community-college tuition before lower-cost public-university tuition, with credits fully accepted.

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How it works: A first-time student enrolls at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and signs up for the JAA before earning 30 college-level credits, choosing a JAA Transition Plan tied to a major at the University of Rhode Island (URI) or Rhode Island College (RIC). They receive conditional acceptance to URI or RIC while still at CCRI, then complete an associate degree and transfer in as a junior. This is Rhode Island's statewide public community-college-to-public-university articulation program and is currently active (confirmed on the 2026-2027 CCRI catalog, CCRI's JAA page, and RIC's JAA page).

Requirements: Sign up before earning 30 college credits; must not have previously attended URI or RIC; earn a CCRI associate degree with a minimum 2.4 cumulative GPA; complete an approved JAA Transition Plan within five years. Tuition discount up to 30% scales with CCRI GPA (full 30% at 3.0+).

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at low CCRI tuition (and Rhode Island Promise can make CCRI tuition-free for eligible residents) followed by up to a 30% tuition discount at URI or RIC, plus a waived transfer application fee.

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How it works: A student earns an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science at any of the state's public two-year/technical colleges; under state policy (Proviso) every public four-year institution must award at least 60 transfer credit hours and grant junior status. Course equivalencies and articulation agreements are published on SC TRAC (sctrac.org). In Oct 2023 the 20+ public colleges and universities committed to develop a deeper comprehensive statewide transfer agreement, still being built out.

Requirements: Earn an AA or AS from a SC public two-year institution (typically with C-or-better grades for course transfer). The 60-credit/junior-status guarantee attaches to the completed associate degree; individual institutions retain their own admission standards.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at low-cost SC technical/community-college tuition before transferring, with protected credits reducing wasted/excess hours (state goal is to cut the ~12 excess credits transfers typically accumulate).

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How it works: Statewide articulation backbone signed by SD's public universities (Board of Regents, six universities) and the four public technical colleges (Board of Technical Education), effective July 1, 2020. Aligned general education courses carry the same name/prefix/number/outcomes across systems and transfer seamlessly between any technical college and any of the six public universities. Students who complete the System General Education Requirements (30 credits for a bachelor's) at any institution are deemed to have met them at the receiving institution. Partner pairs are SDSU-LATC, USD-STC, DSU-MTC, BHSU-WDTC. The Board of Regents partners with Transferology to show how credits map.

Requirements: Complete the aligned general education courses listed in the agreement's Appendix I. No statewide GPA minimum; this is a credit-transfer mechanism, not an admission gate. SD public universities are near-open-admission for residents.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: students complete lower-cost general-education and associate work at a technical college (and avoid retaking gen-ed) before paying university tuition for upper-division courses.

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How it works: A student earns an AA or AS degree at any SUNY (or CUNY) two-year community college and is guaranteed the opportunity to continue full-time at a SUNY baccalaureate campus; AA/AS graduates accepted into a parallel program receive full junior standing and have priority over other transfer applicants. 'Transfer Paths' map the common lower-division Core Courses by major so those credits are guaranteed to apply within the path.

Requirements: AA or AS degree from a SUNY/CUNY two-year college; NY State resident for the priority guarantee; file SUNY application by ~March 1 (fall) with transcript showing 3 completed semesters by March 15. General-education completion carries across SUNY campuses. No single minimum GPA is set system-wide; parallel-program/major admission may add GPA criteria.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at SUNY community-college tuition (far below four-year SUNY tuition) before completing the bachelor's at in-state SUNY rates; guaranteed credit transfer avoids paying twice for lost credits.

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How it works: A community college student in Tennessee chooses one of ~50 major-specific 'pathways,' completes the listed courses, and earns an AA/AS that is certified on the transcript. On transfer to a TN public university, all pathway credits are accepted and count toward that major as a junior.

Requirements: Complete all courses on the chosen pathway and earn an AA/AS (typically ~60 credits). No statewide GPA threshold for the credit guarantee itself; mandated by the Complete College Tennessee Act of 2010.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at community-college tuition before transferring to university for the final two years; works alongside TN Promise free-tuition for community college.

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How it works: A student completes the 42-hour Texas Core Curriculum plus a major-specific Field of Study Curriculum (often packaged as a 'Texas Direct' associate degree) at any Texas public community college; those credits transfer as a block to any Texas public university. It standardizes and protects credit transfer but does not itself admit you to a specific university.

Requirements: Complete the Texas Core (42 SCH) and/or applicable Field of Study Curriculum / Texas Direct associate degree; admission GPA/criteria are set by each receiving university, not by the framework.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at community-college tuition before a public-university bachelor's, with credits protected from loss so students avoid paying to retake courses.

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How it works: Under UA Board of Regents policy, general education requirements (GERs) completed at any one of the three UA universities (UAF, UAA, UAS) satisfy the GER categories at the other two, even where there is no directly matching course. A student can complete the lower-division GER core (and an Associate of Arts) at any UA campus/community campus or online, then continue toward a bachelor's at another UA university with those GERs honored. This is Alaska's nearest equivalent to a statewide articulation/2+2; it governs credit recognition, not admission.

Requirements: Complete the GER core (34-credit common minimum; UAF GER is 38-44 credits) at a UA institution; transfer credit must be 100-level or above; standard transfer admission still requires HS diploma/GED and ~2.0 college GPA for baccalaureate programs.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper if lower-division GER credits are completed at a lower-cost community campus or online (UAF online ~$234/credit standard) before moving to a flagship campus; same in-system tuition once enrolled, but avoids retaking/losing GER credits.

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How it works: A California Community College student submits a TAG agreement (Sept 1-30 for fall) plus the regular UC application, completes specified coursework and the required GPA, and receives guaranteed admission to one participating UC campus in their proposed major.

Requirements: Transfer directly from a California Community College, complete a minimum of 30 UC-transferable semester units and meet the campus-specific GPA (ranges roughly 2.7 to 3.6 across campuses) plus major-prep coursework; TAG can be filed with only one campus.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: up to two years at California Community College tuition before transferring to UC.

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How it works: A California Community College student who has chosen a major enrolls in the matching UC Transfer Pathway (major-prep course set), then submits a TAG application and the regular UC application; combines completion of a Transfer Pathway with a Transfer Admission Guarantee to one participating campus while staying competitive for all campuses offering that major.

Requirements: California Community College student in a major matching a designated UC Transfer Pathway; meet the campus-specific TAG GPA (roughly 2.7 to 3.6) and complete the Pathway coursework; file TAG Sept 1-30 (or May 1-31) and the UC application Oct 1-Dec 1.

The cost angle: Same price as TAG (it layers onto the same CC-to-UC route); cheaper than direct entry via two years of CC tuition.

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How it works: Students completing an Associate in Arts (AA) or select Associate in Science (AS) degree at any of the seven UH community colleges are notified via the STAR system and can elect seamless transfer to a UH four-year campus (Mānoa, Hilo, or West Oʻahu) without filing a new application; they electronically pick the campus and intended major. Launched Spring 2010; operating guidelines were re-issued in 2025, so the program is active.

Requirements: Complete an AA degree or select AS degree at a UH community college; minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. AAS degrees and many AS programs do not qualify. UH-resident-style pathway (CC enrollment within the UH system).

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at UH community college tuition (roughly a third of four-year campus tuition) before transferring, plus the application fee (~$50-70) and tuition deposit are waived, and priority registration is granted.

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How it works: Maine Community College System (MCCS) students in eligible associate-degree programs are proactively notified once they reach 30 credits, opt in to share their transcript, and receive a direct offer of admission to a University of Maine System (UMS) university in an aligned program with no application, fee, essays, or recommendation letters. Signed July 31, 2024 by MCCS and UMS; built on 180+ existing articulation agreements. Currently active.

Requirements: Enrolled in an eligible MCCS associate-degree program; at least 30 community college credits; good academic standing; offers are conditional on completing the associate degree. No minimum GPA published. Some selective programs (Nursing, Engineering, Music) may require additional materials.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: students complete lower-cost community-college credits first, waive application fees, and all in-state community college credits count toward the bachelor's, reducing duplicated/lost credits.

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How it works: A student earns a qualifying transfer associate degree (AA, AS, AB, or ADN, min. 60 credits) at any of Wyoming's seven community colleges, then transfers to the University of Wyoming using published program-by-program 'block transfer maps' so the associate degree and general-education block apply toward a corresponding UW bachelor's. UW maintains campus-wide 2+2 degree plans with all seven community colleges, backed by Memoranda of Understanding and an annual statewide Articulation Summit.

Requirements: Qualifying transfer associate degree (AA/AS/AB/ADN), minimum 60 college-level credits, and a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA to be admitted to UW as a transfer student. UW transfer admission generally requires only the 2.0 GPA.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at lower Wyoming community-college tuition before UW, plus students keep Hathaway Scholarship eligibility; UW also offers merit Transfer Commitment awards ($1,000-$3,000/yr resident, $2,000-$6,000/yr nonresident).

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How it works: A student begins at any USG or TCSG two-year/technical college and uses the statewide Core IMPACTS general-education framework plus USG/TCSG articulation agreements so completed core-area courses transfer in full to any USG four-year university. Specific program-to-program (e.g., A.S. to specific B.S.) articulations exist for some degrees but vary by institution.

Requirements: Complete Core IMPACTS general-education courses (domain-to-domain credit transfers in full per BoR Policy 3.3.1); non-core courses evaluated case-by-case. No system-wide GPA/credit guarantee of admission.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: students complete lower-division core at a low-cost USG/TCSG two-year or technical college (TCSG tuition far below four-year flagship rates) before transferring.

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How it works: Established 1986, this statewide engineering articulation lets Georgia residents complete 30+ hours of pre-engineering coursework at any USG REP partner institution (including two-year and access-tier colleges such as GSU Perimeter College), then apply to transfer to one of five engineering schools: Georgia Tech, UGA, Kennesaw State, Georgia Southern, or Mercer.

Requirements: Complete 30+ credit hours of the REP engineering curriculum (Groups I-IV: engineering/CS fundamentals, advanced math through Differential Equations, physics/chemistry with labs, gen-ed) at a USG REP partner institution; each receiving university sets its own admission GPA/standards.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: complete pre-engineering core at a lower-cost USG partner/two-year college before the higher-cost engineering school.

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How it works: Entry point is any USHE community college (e.g., Salt Lake Community College, Snow College). Through statewide common course numbering and USHE transfer policy, an earned Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) satisfies the General Education requirements at every other USHE public institution, and lower-division credits (D- or higher) transfer across the system; the online Utah Transfer Guide maps how courses apply.

Requirements: Earn an A.A./A.S. (or complete institutional Gen Ed) at a USHE institution; courses transfer with grades of D- or higher. No system-wide GPA gate for the Gen Ed block transfer itself.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: complete two years at lower community-college tuition before transferring to a four-year USHE institution, with no lost Gen Ed credits.

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How it works: A student starts at any of Virginia's 23 community colleges, completes a transfer-oriented associate degree (or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies), and—by submitting a Letter of Intent and meeting the partner school's GPA bar—receives guaranteed admission to one of 30+ participating four-year institutions. SCHEV, VCCS, and Virginia's public universities jointly run Transfer Virginia (launched 2018), which also provides the Passport (16 credits) and UCGS (~31 credits) general-education guarantees plus per-major transfer guides.

Requirements: Transfer-oriented associate degree; minimum GPA varies by partner school (commonly 3.0; some 2.5; competitive majors/colleges higher). Letter of Intent typically required. Virginia residency not strictly required but most agreements are with in-state public schools.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at VCCS community-college tuition (a fraction of four-year tuition) before transferring; may also waive lower-division gen-ed and qualify students for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.

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How it works: A student earns a DTA, AS-T, or MRP associate degree at any Washington public community/technical college; the degree satisfies lower-division general-education/core requirements and confers junior standing on transfer to a participating public four-year university. MRPs (business, biology, engineering, nursing, computer science, etc.) align lower-division courses to specific high-demand majors.

Requirements: Complete an approved DTA/AS-T/MRP associate degree (90 quarter / 60 semester credits) at a WA public CTC. The agreement governs credit applicability and junior standing; it does not by itself set a GPA admission bar (individual universities add their own admission requirements).

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at lower community-college tuition before transferring, with credits guaranteed to apply toward the bachelor's (no lost-credit re-taking).

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How it works: Statutory statewide articulation framework: undergraduate general-studies core coursework (English composition, communications/literature, fine arts, math, natural science, social science) completed at any WV public institution transfers as a block to all other WV public institutions. Institutions must accept up to 35 general-studies credits; 'course equivalency' courses (vetted at 70%+ alignment) transfer as direct equivalents. Updated annually by HEPC.

Requirements: Take approved general-studies/equivalency courses (marked with ~ or ^ on the transcript) at a WV public CC; institutions accept up to 35 GS credits. No minimum GPA or associate degree required for the credit-transfer block itself; degree-level guarantees come from individual articulation agreements.

The cost angle: Cheaper: lets a student complete lower-division general-education credits at lower CC tuition and carry them to a 4-year WV public university without re-taking, reducing time-to-degree.

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How it works: Statewide articulation between the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) and the UW System: a core set of 11 general-education courses (e.g., Psychology, Sociology, Algebra/Trigonometry) guarantees at least ~30 transferable credits — roughly a year of coursework — that apply seamlessly toward a bachelor's degree at any UW university. Program-specific articulation agreements between individual technical colleges and UW campuses/private colleges (WAICU-WTCS CCTA) add course-to-course or full-program transfer for specific majors.

Requirements: Complete UCTA core courses at a Wisconsin technical college; passing grades. Program-specific articulation may require a completed associate degree or certificate and a minimum GPA. UW System is required by Act 46 / Wis. Stat. 36.31 to accept a minimum block of transferable credits.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: complete the first year at low-cost technical-college tuition, then transfer ~30 guaranteed credits into a UW bachelor's, reducing time and tuition paid at the four-year rate

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How it works: UH Hilo's campus implementation of the UH transfer pathway: students in the final semester of an associate degree at any UH community college (or with 54+ UH CC credits) are eligible for transfer, and an AA degree from a regionally accredited institution exempts the student from UH Hilo's general-education requirements. Eligible UH CC students also receive automatic admission with fee waiver.

Requirements: Final semester of an associate degree at a UH community college, or 54+ UH CC credits, with a 2.0 cumulative GPA (resident; 2.5 non-resident, higher for some majors). The gen-ed exemption requires a regionally accredited AA specifically (AS/AAS excluded).

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: complete the first two years at community-college tuition, then transfer to UH Hilo with gen-ed satisfied and the application fee waived under automatic admission.

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How it works: Course-by-course articulation/'pathway' maps between U of Idaho and partner community colleges (College of Eastern Idaho, College of Southern Idaho, College of Western Idaho, North Idaho College, and Treasure Valley Community College) that tell a student which associate-degree courses apply to specific U of Idaho bachelor's programs (including a 2+2 Law pathway with NIC). These are planning/credit pathways; admission still requires meeting U of Idaho transfer standards and is not automatically guaranteed.

Requirements: Follow the published pathway course plan at the partner college; general U of Idaho transfer admission requires a 2.0+ cumulative GPA on transferable college-level coursework. No blanket admission guarantee is stated.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: complete mapped lower-division coursework at community-college tuition, minimizing lost/retaken credits before U of Idaho upper-division tuition.

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How it works: Iowa community-college students who earn an AA/AS degree (or 24+ graded transferable hours) and meet the GPA standard are eligible to transfer into UI's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the largest college, entering with most Gen-Ed/CORE requirements satisfied via the AA articulation agreement.

Requirements: AA/AS from an Iowa community college with 2.0+ cumulative transfer GPA; OR 24+ graded semester hours with 2.50+ GPA. Application deadlines May 1 (fall) / Dec 1 (spring). Fewer than 24 hours triggers a combined high-school + college review.

The cost angle: Same price as standard transfer once enrolled; savings come from the preceding community-college years and pre-satisfied general-education credit.

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How it works: Students earn an AA degree at a participating Iowa (or Illinois) community college following a 2+2 major plan built with UI advisors, then transfer to the University of Iowa as a junior. UI guarantees access to the courses needed to finish a bachelor's in two more years in supported majors within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Tippie College of Business, and College of Education.

Requirements: Complete an AA degree at a participating community college and follow the 2+2 major map; meet UI transfer admission standards (AA from an Iowa CC with ~2.0+ cumulative transfer GPA). 40+ majors and 15+ participating colleges.

The cost angle: Cheaper: two years at community-college tuition plus a tightly mapped plan that avoids excess/non-transferring credits, saving time and money toward the UI degree.

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How it works: A KCTCS student follows a published UofL transfer pathway tied to a specific major and earns the associate degree; on transfer to UofL every pathway course is guaranteed to be accepted and to count toward that major, and fully gen-ed-certified students take no further general education courses at UofL.

Requirements: Complete the listed pathway courses and earn the associate degree; standard transfer admission still applies (min 2.0 GPA for 24+ transfer hours under state policy).

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: associate degree at KCTCS rates with credits guaranteed to apply, avoiding lost/repeated courses at UofL.

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How it works: Mizzou maintains articulation agreements with Missouri community colleges (Crowder, East Central, Jefferson, Metropolitan, Mineral Area, Moberly Area, North Central, Ozarks Tech, St. Charles, St. Louis, State Fair, State Technical, Three Rivers). A student who earns a qualifying Missouri associate degree (AA) or the gen-ed block automatically meets MU's general admission requirements as a transfer.

Requirements: Associate of Arts (or AAS in nursing/teaching) from a regionally accredited Missouri community college, or completion of the ~43-hour gen-ed/CORE 42 block; meet MU transfer admission standards.

The cost angle: Cheaper: two years at community-college tuition before transfer, with credits protected by articulation.

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How it works: A student who completes an AA, AB, or AS from any NSHE two-year institution (CSN, TMCC, WNC, GBC) is guaranteed admission to UNLV and receives credit for UNLV's lower-division general-education core. This is UNLV's institution-level implementation of the NSHE associate-degree guarantee.

Requirements: Earn an AA, AB, or AS from an NSHE community college (AAS/AGS do not qualify and must meet standard transfer requirements).

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper — complete the lower division at CSN/community-college tuition rates, then finish at UNLV with the gen-ed core already satisfied.

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How it works: UDC maintains official articulation agreements that let community college students transfer into UDC's four-year schools with pre-aligned credit. The Registrar lists: UDC School of Business & Public Administration (SBPA) with Montgomery College; UDC School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) with Montgomery College; and UDC SEAS with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). These function as the closest D.C. analog to a statewide CC-to-public-university articulation, since D.C. has no statewide higher-ed system and UDC is its only public university.

Requirements: Complete the articulated associate-level coursework at the partner community college, then transfer into the aligned UDC school/program (typically C or better for credit transfer; max 90 transfer credits toward a bachelor's).

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: students complete lower-division work at community college rates before transferring credits into UDC.

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How it works: VCCS students who complete a transfer associate degree (AS/AA&S/AA) with the required coursework and GPA, and file an intent form, are guaranteed admission to UVA's College of Arts & Sciences, entering as third-year students. Separate engineering GAA exists.

Requirements: Transfer associate degree from a participating VCCS college; meet UVA GAA GPA threshold and specified courses; cannot simultaneously use the GAA for Commerce (McIntire), Batten, Nursing, etc.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at community-college tuition before entering UVA as a third-year, roughly halving time paid at UVA rates.

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How it works: UW-Milwaukee guarantees admission to associate-degree graduates of four partner technical colleges — Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), Waukesha County Technical College, Moraine Park Technical College, and Gateway Technical College. Eligible graduates skip the formal application and submit a brief, free intent form; a minimum of 60 credits transfer toward the bachelor's (about halfway to a 120-credit degree). Effective summer 2024.

Requirements: Earn an associate degree from one of the four partner technical colleges with a minimum 2.0 GPA; submit the free intent form.

The cost angle: Cheaper: two years at technical-college tuition with a guaranteed 60-credit block applied, halving the credits paid at UWM four-year tuition rates

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How it works: A student whose high school GPA is below USU's 2.0 standard completes a certificate at a local Utah Technical College, then qualifies for admission to USU; up to 30 technical credits can also apply toward a USU degree.

Requirements: Complete a certificate of at least 12 credits at an approved Utah Technical College with a 2.0+ GPA; apply to USU within the past year; meet non-academic admission criteria.

The cost angle: Cheaper entry: low-cost technical-college certificate that doubles as job training and an admission qualifier, with up to 30 transferable credits.

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How it works: Within the Vermont State Colleges System, CCV and Vermont State University share a common transcript. Any CCV graduate is guaranteed general admission to VTSU as an undeclared student; published 2+2 Pathways map specific CCV programs to VTSU bachelor's degrees so no separate transcript transfer is needed.

Requirements: Graduate from CCV with a minimum 2.0 GPA (sub-2.0 considered conditionally case-by-case); apply to VTSU; follow a Pathway map for program-specific transfer.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: lower CCV community-college tuition for the first ~60 credits before VTSU tuition, and shared-transcript design minimizes lost/retaken credits.

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How it works: Students earn a transfer associate degree or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies, submit a letter of interest, and receive guaranteed admission to VCU. Engineering has a stricter separate track.

Requirements: Transfer associate degree or UCGS; minimum 2.5 GPA with no grade below C (3.0 + B's in math/science for the College of Engineering); letter of interest required.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at community-college tuition before transferring to VCU.

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How it works: Students who begin at and graduate from a Virginia community college with a transfer-oriented associate degree and a qualifying GPA are guaranteed admission to Virginia Tech, with up to 60 transferable credits accepted. Specialized GAAs exist for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (3.0 + letter of intent) and General Engineering (3.2 GPA).

Requirements: Begin at and graduate from a VCCS college; transfer-oriented associate degree; cumulative GPA 3.40 for the general GAA (3.0 CALS; 3.2 engineering). Excludes majors in the School of Architecture + Design.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at VCCS tuition before transferring to Virginia Tech.

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How it works: A student enrolls at a partner Michigan community college and follows one of Wayne State's published pathway maps. Completing the associate degree (including the MTA) within a chosen pathway delivers guaranteed general admission and junior standing at Wayne State.

Requirements: Complete an associate degree at a partner college (Henry Ford, Jackson, Macomb, Oakland, Schoolcraft, Wayne County CCD, Delta, St. Clair County) including the MTA, while following a designated pathway. GPA thresholds are not stated on the general pathways page; selective majors may carry extra requirements.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: ~2 years at community-college tuition plus a clear roadmap that prevents credit loss, entering as a junior.

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How it works: A student starts at a WV community/technical college (e.g., Pierpont CTC, New River CTC) and, upon earning an A.A., A.S., or A.A.S. degree, is guaranteed admission to WVU. WVU publishes articulated 'pathway' plans of study mapping the associate degree into specific WVU bachelor's programs. Confirmed on official partner-CC pages.

Requirements: Earn an associate degree (A.A./A.S./A.A.S.) with transferable GPA of at least 2.0 and be in good standing. Some majors require additional prerequisites/assessments; students must complete at least 30 of their final 36 credits at WVU.

The cost angle: Cheaper: two years at CC tuition then transfer; no WVU application barrier, lowering total degree cost vs. four years at WVU.

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How it works: Program-specific 2+2 articulation agreements where a student completes a designated associate degree (e.g., pre-engineering, business, computer science) at a partner community college and is guaranteed admission to WSU with junior/upper-sophomore standing. Example: Cowley pre-engineering AS graduates with a 2.0 GPA are guaranteed WSU admission and enter at second-semester sophomore status (48 hours); Butler graduates enter at junior status (~59 hours).

Requirements: Earn the designated associate degree with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and complete the WSU application; specific hour-transfer counts vary by agreement.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at community-college tuition with a guaranteed seat and a known number of transferring credits before WSU tuition.

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How it works: VCCS students complete a transfer-oriented associate degree with strong grades and submit a Letter of Intent at least one year before matriculation to receive guaranteed admission to W&M.

Requirements: Transfer associate degree; minimum 3.4 GPA; no grade below C in transferable courses; B or better in courses satisfying COLL domain/proficiency; at least 45 of the degree credits earned at a VCCS institution after high school; Letter of Intent filed after 15 post-HS credits.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at community-college tuition before two years at W&M.

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How it works: A student begins at any of the 15 PA community colleges (or Lackawanna College), completes the 30-credit general-education Transfer Framework and/or an associate degree in a parallel program, and those credits transfer in full toward a bachelor's at participating institutions. Created under 2006 state law; the framework guarantees credit portability, not seats.

Requirements: Complete 30-credit Transfer Framework courses for one full year of guaranteed-transfer credit, or an AA/AS in a parallel program for junior standing. Participating: all 15 PA community colleges, all 10 PASSHE universities; Penn State, Temple, and Pitt accept at least the 30 framework credits. Search tools transitioning July 1, 2026.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: lower-cost community-college credits transfer without loss, reducing total bachelor's cost; reverse transfer (PA 2-Way) lets students bank an associate along the way.

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How it works: Statewide articulation between the 58 NC community colleges and the 16 UNC System universities. Under the CAA's Transfer Assured Admissions Policy (TAAP), a student who completes an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science and meets CAA requirements is assured admission to one of the 16 UNC institutions (not a chosen campus), transfers with junior status and 60-61 credit hours, and the general-education core is accepted. A newly revised 2025 CAA takes effect Spring 2026.

Requirements: Earn an AA or AS from an NC community college; overall GPA of at least 2.0 (4.0 scale) and a grade of C (C- or higher under the 2025 CAA) in all CAA courses; academically eligible to return to last institution attended.

The cost angle: Meaningfully cheaper: two years at community-college tuition (among the lowest in the U.S.) before paying UNC-system university tuition, with guaranteed junior standing so no lost credits.

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How it works: A student admitted as a new first-year (freshman) at any one of the 13 Universities of Wisconsin universities (or a remaining branch campus) is guaranteed admission as a junior/transfer to another UW university, including UW-Madison, after meeting GPA and credit thresholds. NOTE: this is intra-system (UW-to-UW), not community-college-to-UW. STATUS CHANGING: the original SYS 135 guaranteed-transfer guidance was rescinded Jan 21, 2025 after discrepancies between policy and practice; an interim amended policy is in effect (issued Jan 21, 2025; last revised Mar 2, 2026) and expires Sept 1, 2026 or when a permanent revised transfer policy is approved. Full revision underway in 2025-2026.

Requirements: Begin as a new freshman at a UW university; complete credits required for junior status (within ~3 years); min 2.0 GPA for most UW universities, 3.0 GPA for UW-Madison under the interim policy (note: UW-Madison admissions pages have also listed 3.2 GPA / 54 credits / gen-ed completion — the system acknowledges some posted figures were inconsistent during the revision). Transfer within one year of leaving the original institution.

The cost angle: Cheaper net path: a student can start at a lower-cost or less-selective UW campus (lower tuition/easier admission) and reach UW-Madison without paying for a more expensive private alternative; in-system so credits and gen-eds carry over with minimal loss

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