Breaking Down an Education Strategy Through the Transfer Path

The importance of transfer success cannot be overstated in Kentucky’s efforts to achieve its educational attainment goal of 60% of the population with a postsecondary credential or degree by 2030.  According to an infographic detailing Kentucky’s transfer strategy, for every 500 Kentucky students who enroll in a transfer pathway, 115 students will transfer within three years, and 63 students will complete a bachelor’s degree within four years of transferring from a community college.

Should You Transfer from a Community College to University?

Transferring from a community college to a university is a smart choice for many students, as it can save them significant amounts of money in tuition fees.  For example, in Kentucky, the average net price for a year of education at KCTCS (Kentucky Community and Technical College) is $6,000, whereas at a public university, it is $13,000, and at a private university, it is $18,000. 

Additionally, students who complete a bachelor’s degree after receiving an associate degree have higher incomes than those who did not transfer, with an estimated lifetime earnings premium of $590,000 in Kentucky alone.

Transfer Success

However, transfer success is often elusive for many transfer-aspiring students.  For example, in the 2020-2021 academic year, nearly 30,000 students were on a transfer pathway pursuing an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree in a Kentucky community and technical college. 

Yet, based on a 2018 first-time cohort analysis, only 23% of these students will transfer to a university by 2026-2027.  F

urthermore, transferring can present several challenges for students, including determining what major and career path to pursue, meeting with transfer advisors, and receiving adequate transfer credit.

To address these challenges, Kentucky has implemented several solutions, such as transfer pathways and transfer advising.  Transfer pathways help students map out major requirements and career pathways from community college to every bachelor’s program. 

Kentucky’s transfer website also provides clear transfer pathways and acts as a tool for transfer advising.  Students must meet with transfer advisors to chart, continue, and complete the path to a bachelor’s degree.  These advisors can help students overcome strong informational barriers and increase on-time graduation rates by up to 21%.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Kentucky’s strategy to connect the transfer path is an essential step toward achieving its educational attainment goal.  By providing clear transfer pathways, transfer advising, and adequate transfer credit, Kentucky can help more students achieve their academic goals and contribute to the state’s workforce.