65% of survey respondents who tried to transfer credit reported at least one negative experience or outcome of their transfer attempt

Significant majorities of all survey respondents support reforms to bolster credit transfer transparency, like requiring free, easy access to transcripts (82%) and creating public databases about which credits are transferable (81%) 

88% of survey respondents support some type of intervention for institutions with a poor track record of credit acceptance

February 20th, 2025 – There is broad support across all political identities for a variety of policies intended to ease credit transfer for students, according to a new survey of adult Americans from Public Agenda, a non-profit research-to-action organization dedicated to creating a democracy that works for everyone.

FULL REPORT HERE

“We found that trying to transfer credits is a typical experience for Americans—as is the frustration of not having it go well,” said Andrew Seligsohn, President of Public Agenda. “Negative experiences with credit transfer reinforce the perception that big institutions don’t care about regular people, a key element of the challenge facing our democracy. By shining a light on both the people and the process, we can better understand what works—as well as what doesn’t—so we can improve the system for everybody.”

The memo features findings from a survey of 3,077 adult Americans fielded in May 2024. In partnership with Sova and the Beyond Transfer Policy Advisory Board and supported by ECMC Foundation, the survey sought to determine the prevalence of attempts to transfer credit among Americans and discern their experiences toward transfer. The survey also explored Americans’ attitudes toward reforms and their overall feelings about the worthwhileness of a college degree. The memo contributes to Public Agenda’s existing body of work about higher education, including economic mobility and for-profit schools.

“From our work with higher education institutions and systems, state policymakers, and accreditors, we understand the daunting challenges to credit transfer. But in this survey we also see a source for optimism: the overwhelming majority of Americans agree that students should not be on their own to figure this out,” said Lara Couturier, partner at Sova. “In an increasingly polarized environment, there is strong consensus to move forward sensible reforms that help more learners reach completion and deliver on the value proposition of higher education. The Beyond Transfer Policy Advisory Board remains committed to working with higher education leaders at all levels to make that a reality.”

Key highlights:

Nearly four–in-ten respondents have tried to transfer credits. Two-thirds of that group report negative experiences, including one in five who had to repeat classes they had already taken and a similar number who forwent pursuing a degree entirely. 

• 39% of respondents have tried to transfer some type of credit towards earning an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or certificate. 
• 58% of respondents who have tried to transfer credit reported some degree of credit loss, and 24% reported that “few” or “none” of their credits transferred whatsoever.
• 65% of respondents who tried to transfer credit reported at least one negative experience or outcome of their transfer attempt:
  • 26% took a course specifically because they believed the credits would transfer but ultimately did not.
  • 20% had to repeat a college class because their credits did not transfer.
  • 16% decided not to pursue a postsecondary credential altogether because transferring was too difficult.
  • 13% say they lost financial aid because their credits did not transfer.

Across all political identities, there is broad support for a variety of policies intended to make it easier for students to transfer credits. 

• Large majorities of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans support policy interventions intended to improve credit transfer. Support is especially strong for requiring that students have free and easy access to their transcripts, credentials, and degrees; requiring institutions to create public databases with transfer information; and requiring that prospective transfer students are quickly told how many credits will be accepted.
  • For the full range of proposed policies and specific percentages of support, please refer to Figure 12 in the full findings.
• Only 9% of respondents thought that students themselves should be primarily responsible for improving credit transfer. Sending and receiving institutions were the most popular choice among respondents at 42% each.

Over two-thirds of respondents agree that postsecondary institutions care more about making money than educating students. Half of the respondents think if a college or university has a track record of not accepting most credits that students try to transfer, the institution should be required to make a plan to improve. 

• 69% of respondents agree that universities and community colleges care more about making money than about educating students, including 31% who strongly agree.
• While 50% think schools with a track record of not accepting most credits should be required to make a plan to improve, fewer support punishing a college or university by reducing government funding, requiring additional government oversight, or withdrawing accreditation.
  • For the full range of proposed interventions and specific percentages of support, please refer to Figure 14 in the full findings.
• Only 12% of respondents think nothing should happen.

For complete findings, as well as detailed charts and methodology, click here.

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Questions or requests can be directed to Public Agenda’s Press Office [email protected]. 

Attention newsrooms: The Public Agenda team is happy to be a resource for any relevant stories you’re working on. Powered by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, our website includes an extensive archive of Public Agenda public opinion research data from 1979 to the present. For more information, please click here.

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About Public Agenda

Public Agenda is a national research-to-action organization that digs deep into the key challenges facing our democracy to uncover insights and solutions. Founded in 1975 by the social scientist and public opinion research pioneer Dan Yankelovich and former secretary of state Cyrus Vance, we engage with advocates, journalists, policymakers, and the philanthropic community to ensure public voice is heard in conversations that shape our shared future.