Let’s be real. Transferring credits isn’t always straightforward. That’s why we created this StraighterLine School Credit Transfer Guide to make things simple. If you’re thinking about taking online courses through StraighterLine (or have taken some courses with us already) and are wondering how to transfer those credits to your college or university, we’re here to walk you through it.
Here’s what you’ll find in the StraighterLine School Credit Transfer Guide:
An easy-to-understand breakdown of how StraighterLine credits work
A step-by-step credit transfer process
Lists of schools that accept StraighterLine credits, organized by region
Real student stories highlighting the success of transferring StraighterLine credits
Tools and tips to help you along the way
Let’s get started!
Understanding StraighterLine Credits
What Are StraighterLine Credits?
StraighterLine offers online college courses so you can earn college credits without the huge price tag and rigid schedules that come with the traditional college/university experience. Our courses are developed to match the quality of courses at traditional colleges and universities, and reviewed and approved for credit transfer by the American Council on Education (ACE). ACE approval is a huge deal and makes it easier for you to complete your degree on your terms.
When you finish a course with StraighterLine, you earn credits just like you would at a traditional college or university. You can then transfer those credits to your school, so you can keep your academic progress going. More than 3,000 schools accept StraighterLine transfer credit, including 180+ schools who partner with us directly to create guaranteed transfer credit plans.
It’s important to note that StraighterLine is not a degree-granting institution. Think of us as a supplement that helps make college more affordable and flexible by offering transferable courses at a price that actually makes sense.
Credit Value
StraighterLine courses are typically worth three college credits. The value of the credits you earn through us will be the same as those earned in a traditional classroom setting. However, schools may have their own transfer policies regarding how they accept and apply these credits, so it’s important to check with the school you’re attending, or applying to. One of the main benefits of transferring credits to one of our 180+ partner schools is that they have pre-established credit transfer agreements in place with us — making the process an easy one for you.
Transfer Benefits
The big advantage of StraighterLine credits is flexibility. Whether you’re working full time, balancing family commitments, or just want to finish your degree faster, StraighterLine makes it possible. Our courses cost way less, are entirely online for your convenience, and have no timelines or deadlines — so you can work at your own pace. StraighterLine’s courses are the same quality as the courses you’ll take at a traditional college or university, and once you’ve earned your credits, they count just the same. Why pay thousands more for GenEd and PreReq courses when it makes so much more sense to spend less on those courses and put the money you save towards your upper-level courses?
The Transfer Process
Step-by-Step Guide
Check Your School’s Transfer Policy: Not all schools accept every credit, so your first step is to check whether the school you’re attending (or interested in applying to) accepts StraighterLine credits. While we have partnerships with 180+ schools who are guaranteed to accept StraighterLine credits, there are 3,000+ other colleges and universities that accept StraighterLine credits, but may have different requirements for credit transfer. Look at your school’s credit transfer policy or contact your advisor or admissions office so they can walk you through the steps you can take to make sure your StraighterLine credits transfer.
Complete Your Courses: Once you’ve enrolled in your StraighterLine courses, take as little or as much time as you need to complete them. All you need to do is maintain good academic standing and pass your course with a grade of 70% or higher to be eligible for credit transfer.
Request Your Transcripts: Passed your course? The next step is to request your official StraighterLine transcript. Log into your account and find the “Request Transcript” option near the top of your screen. Your transcript will list all the courses you’ve taken with us and the grades you’ve earned. Let us know where you want us to send your transcript and we’ll handle getting it delivered to your school.
Transcript requests are processed in seven days or less and then sent by us via email or physical mail — depending on delivery requirements.
Timeline
Credit transfer timelines vary, depending on the school. It could take between a few weeks and a few months for everything to be finalized. It’s a good idea to plan ahead so that your credits are processed in time for the semester you want to start.
Required Documents
Official StraighterLine Transcript: This is your official record of completed courses and grades.
Application Forms: If you’re not already enrolled at a college or university, you’ll likely be required to complete a formal application to be considered for admission.
Additional Materials: To go along with the application forms, you may also need to submit supporting materials like a personal essay or letters of recommendation. Remember, this is for if you aren’t already enrolled at a college or university.
StraighterLine’s Partner School Network
Finding Schools
Over 3,000 schools accept StraighterLine credits, including 180+ schools who partner with us to make credit transfer seamless for students. Here’s where you can find the full list of partner schools.
Acceptance Criteria
Each university will have its own transfer policy, so be sure to research the school’s requirements before applying. Some schools may limit the number of StraighterLine credits they accept, particularly for specialized programs, while others might have no restrictions at all.
Success Rates
More than 350,000 StraighterLine students have successfully transferred their credits to partner schools, helping them complete their degrees faster and at a lower cost. You can read real student success stories to see how others navigated their transfer process and how it benefited their academic journey.
Financial Considerations
Costs and Savings
Transferring StraighterLine credits can save you a lot of money on your education — some students have even cut their tuition in half! By taking affordable online courses with StraighterLine, you can knock out your GenEd and PreReq requirements at a fraction of the cost of traditional college tuition. That means you can spend less while getting the same college credits.
Financial Aid
Because we’re not a degree-granting institution, we’re unable to accept any financial aid as payment for your courses. Instead, you can pay for your StraighterLine courses (which typically cost less than one college textbook) out of pocket, and then use your financial aid to pay for the courses you have to take directly with your school. StraighterLine will help you save thousands so you can get more out of your financial aid dollars.
A Smart Investment
Transferring StraighterLine credits helps you reduce your overall education costs, making your investment in your degree more affordable. Whether you’re saving on tuition, completing your degree faster, or both, StraighterLine credits are a smart way for you to have more control over your educational journey.
Support and Resources
The StraighterLine team is here to support you from your first day to graduation day, and every step in between. Here are some helpful resources to help you on your way with successful credit transfer:
- Regional Guides: Find partner colleges and universities in your area that accept StraighterLine credits
- Success Stories: Hear directly from students who’ve successfully transferred their StraighterLine credits
Next Steps
Ready to get started? Here’s what you can do next.
Browse our courses to see which of your required courses you can take with us to save money and maximize flexibility in your education.
See if your school is one of our 180+ partners guaranteed to accept StraighterLine credits.
Try the StraighterLine Free Preview to get a sneak peek at what it’s like to take college courses online, at your own pace.
FAQs
How can I use StraighterLine credits toward my associate degree?
At StraighterLine, you can fast-track your associate degree by completing our fully online, self-paced general education courses that are designed to transfer directly into accredited associate degree programs. Once you successfully finish a course with us, your credits are accepted by our partner schools — such as the Central New Mexico Community College, Baker College, and American Public University — helping you meet degree requirements more quickly and at a lower cost. This streamlined process allows you to save time, reduce tuition expenses, and move closer to launching your career sooner.
How does dual enrollment make transferring credits easier?
At StraighterLine, we make transferring credits easier through dual enrollment by offering college-level courses that are specifically designed to be seamlessly accepted by our network of over 180 partner colleges. When you enroll in our dual enrollment courses while still in high school, you earn actual college credits that are built to meet academic standards — ensuring that your hard work counts toward your degree once you transition to college. Because these credits are earned through rigorous coursework taught by qualified instructors (and delivered online to work around your high school schedule), they’re positioned to be readily accepted by many higher education institutions. This not only saves you time and money but also gives you a head start on your college career without affecting your high school transcript.
Can I earn credits for both language and humanities courses?
Absolutely! You can earn credits in both areas. For example, our language courses include Spanish I and II, which help build your communication skills in another language. Meanwhile, our humanities courses cover a wide range of subjects — from Communication, Sociology, and Philosophy to United States History, American Government, Religious Studies, Art Appreciation, Cultural Anthropology, Western Civilization, and Criminal Justice. This diverse selection not only deepens your knowledge but also helps you meet various graduation requirements, making your academic journey more well-rounded.
How do subject-specific courses like AP exams and STEM classes contribute to my degree?
We know that STEM subjects can seem challenging, but our guide makes it clear how courses in AP Calculus, AP Physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science provide solid academic foundations. Whether you’re into engineering, mathematics, or even technology, these classes earn you real course credit and help in both transfer credit evaluation and higher education accreditation. Plus, you’ll learn valuable skills that can help you navigate everything from database management to understanding the fundamentals of magnetism and mechanics.
