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October 31, 2025
PPIC Releases Report on CCC Transfers to CSU
Last week, the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) released a report entitled “Improving Transfer from Community College to the California State University.” The report examines how well the California Community Colleges (CCC) and California State University (CSU) systems are facilitating student transfer.
The report states that the CCC system serves more than 2.1 million students, and while most intend to transfer to a four-year institution, only about one in five do so within four years. The CSU system is the primary destination for these students—over 43% of the CSU’s new undergraduates in fall 2024 came from community colleges—and the CSU admits roughly 91% of transfer applicants, according to the report. However, only about 65% of admitted students actually enroll, and there are wide variations among CSU campuses. For example, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo admits only about one in five transfer applicants, while other campuses accept over 90%. Many students also take nine or more terms to apply for transfer, delaying progress, and 21% of students who earn an Associate Degree for Transfer never apply at all. Even among those admitted, 14% do not enroll in any four-year institution. Once students transfer, however, outcomes are strong: 76% of fall 2020 transfer entrants graduated within four years.
The report identifies four major policy opportunities. First, it emphasizes supporting early momentum by ensuring students complete transfer-level English and math in their first year and providing strong advising, flexible scheduling, and on-campus work opportunities to encourage full-time enrollment. Second, it recommends investigating why many admitted students choose not to enroll at a CSU, noting that financial barriers, geography, and labor-market opportunities may influence decisions. Third, it highlights large variations among CSU campuses and majors in transfer outcomes, calling for better understanding of campus-specific patterns and student choices. Notably, 69,000 admitted students chose other institutions, including 43,000 who went to UC campuses, sometimes at higher cost or lower completion rates. Finally, the brief urges expansion of access at impacted CSU campuses and high-demand majors through co-located programs, online and hybrid degree pathways, and flexible scheduling.
The report concludes that strengthening the transfer pipeline is critical for California to reach its goal of 40% bachelor’s degree attainment among working-age residents by 2030. Because many eligible students never apply or enroll, improving early academic momentum, advising, and transition support could yield significant gains. For community college leaders, this means continuing to prioritize first-year success in English and math, proactive counseling, and close CSU partnerships to smooth the path to transfer. For the CSU, addressing campus- and major-specific barriers and better understanding why admitted students opt out will be key. Modest improvements at each stage could substantially boost transfer rates and degree completion, advancing both student opportunity and California’s broader workforce goals.
