DATA DIVE: The Two-to-Four-Year College Pathway Makes a Comeback

The two-to-four-year college pathway is once again proving to be beneficial for students seeking affordable and flexible options in higher education.

According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s Transfer Enrollment and Pathways report, nearly 500,000 students who enrolled in a four-year institution in fall 2024 transferred from a two-year college. That’s a 7.6% increase since 2022, reversing a two-year post-pandemic decline.

This surge is likely connected to the share of bachelor’s degree recipients who previously earned an associate degree reaching its highest recorded level. Today, more than one in five bachelor’s degree earners (21.5%) also hold an associate degree. The vast majority likely followed the two-to-four-year transfer pathway — a powerful demonstration of the role that community colleges continue to fill, serving as a vital entry point into higher education. This pathway accounts for over 40% of all transfer students and offers a more affordable route to a bachelor’s degree.

However, even as more students pursue this transfer pathway, fewer are following the path to degree completion. The number of students earning a bachelor’s degree after completing an associate degree declined for the third consecutive year. This decline is part of a broader trend: overall bachelor’s degree attainment is down. Fewer than two million students earned a bachelor’s degree in the 2023-24 academic year — the lowest level since 2015-16, according to the Undergraduate Degree Earners report.

“The two-to-four-year pathway can expand opportunity, reduce cost barriers, and promote educational attainment,” said Matthew Holsapple, Senior Director of Research, National Student Clearinghouse. “As academic leaders look to adapt and strengthen enrollment pipelines, tools like the Clearinghouse Research Center’s reports offer essential insights into transfer patterns so institutions can identify areas where support is most needed.”

By tracking and understanding these trends, institutions can better support learners on their diverse educational journeys—and help more students reach the finish line. Explore our Research Center’s reports to stay apprised of the latest enrollment, transfer, and completion insights.

“The two-to-four-year pathway can expand opportunity, reduce cost barriers, and promote educational attainment. As academic leaders look to adapt and strengthen enrollment pipelines, tools like the Clearinghouse Research Center’s reports offer essential insights into transfer patterns so institutions can identify areas where support is most needed.”

Matt Holsapple
Senior Director of Research, National Student Clearinghouse