NCAA report finds lower graduation rates for multiple transfers

The NCAA reported that student-athletes who transfer more than once graduate at lower rates than peers who stay at their first school or transfer a single time. The association said more than a third of undergraduate student-athletes transfer at least once during college.

For the 2018-19 cohort, 88% of nontransfers finished a degree within six years, versus 71% among athletes who moved schools multiple times, according to the NCAA. Across race, gender and sport, the NCAA found that students who switched schools more than once graduated at rates about 10 points below one-time transfers and 15 to 20 points below nontransfers.

Graduation rates by transfer status for 2018-19 entrants
Group	Nontransfers	Multiple transfers
Overall	88%	71%
Black student-athletes	82%	62%
FBS student-athletes	85%	58%
FCS student-athletes	83%	62%

Graduation rates by transfer status for 2018-19 entrants

Group

Nontransfers

Multiple transfers

Overall

88%

71%

Black student-athletes

82%

62%

FBS student-athletes

85%

58%

FCS student-athletes

83%

62%

For Black student-athletes, 82% of nontransfers graduated on time, while the rate was 62% for those who transferred more than once, the NCAA said. Among Football Bowl Subdivision student-athletes, 85% of nontransfers finished on time, versus 58% for those with more than one transfer. For Football Championship Subdivision student-athletes, 83% of nontransfers graduated on time, dropping to 62% for multiple transfers.

The NCAA said it combined data reported to the association and the National Student Clearinghouse to compile term-by-term enrollment and graduation data spanning six years for nearly 36,000 Division I student-athletes who started college in 2018-19. From that set, it identified 24,500 athletes with no transfer on record, nearly 7,700 who transferred once and about 3,800 who attended three or more institutions. The analysis examined bachelor’s degree attainment within six years by whether and how often students transferred.

The NCAA said the results highlight the need to weigh the academic effects of moving schools multiple times. The association said it will continue to monitor academic progress and degree completion rates and encourage schools to provide support to help student-athletes stay on track. The NCAA published the report Nov. 11, 2026.

Sources