One-Quarter Of New UC Students Transfer From Community Colleges: Report

SACRAMENTO, CA — Enrollment at University of California campuses have skyrocketed among community college transfer students, and the trend may continue for the foreseeable future, according to a new report.

About one quarter of students who enrolled at schools in the University of California system attended a community college before transferring last year, the SF Chronicle reported.

For fall 2025, about 77% of transfer students gained acceptance to at least one UC school among approximately 36,000 who applied.

More than 19,000 community college students enrolled in the UC system last year.

UC Merced had the highest acceptance rate of 75 percent among UC schools. UC Berkely had the lowest acceptance rate at 25 percent.

The acceptance rate among community colleges varied widely, as some colleges were noted as having a more "transfer-oriented culture." But data showed other factors contributed to admissions rates, including students’ grades and guidance counseling.

For example, the SF Chronicle said among community colleges in the Bay Area, Cabrillo College had the highest acceptance rate to UC Berkeley, with about 38 percent of applicants admitted last year. Oakland’s Laney College and Monterey Peninsula College's admission rates to Berkeley trailed close behind Cabrillo College with 37 percent.

The research also showed the varied admission rates could be due to some community colleges' curricula that emphasizes technical training instead of helping students transfer to a UC.