Guaranteed Transfer Admission (GTA)
Guaranteed Transfer Admission
Four-Year Partners That Offer Guaranteed Transfer Admission
Explore this webpage for schools that offer Guaranteed Transfer Admissions (GTA) to CLC students. Students can apply to any school of their choosing, but CLC partners with a select number of schools that guarantee admission to students who meet specific criteria. For more info view our Guaranteed Transfer Admission Quick Facts Sheet (PDF)
- Explore our GTA partner schools on this webpage
- For all other schools and schools not listed, please consult your College and Career Navigator (CCN).
Benefits to participating in our GTA program:
- Guaranteed admission - Know that you’re admitted to your transfer school early
- Guaranteed personalized academic planning from both institutions
- Save thousands in tuition costs by attending CLC first - a benefit enjoyed by all CLC students
American Business School – Paris, France
- Earn American degrees, with undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of Paris
- Benefit from a business school that allows you to interact and study with people from different cultures on a daily basis – 60% international students from 80 different countries
- Get hands-on experience through internships, coaching and seminars that will allow you to build up your résumé before graduation
Arizona State University – Tempe, Arizona
- ASU has been repeatedly ranked #1 in the U.S. for innovation, sustainability, and global impact.
- ASU is a top destination for international students, with students from over 150 different countries.
- ASU is among the top 10 in the world for employer-student connections due to a robust network of industry partners and internship opportunities.
- Over 400 majors and transfer pathways are available through MyPath2ASU, along with direct, rolling admission that makes the transfer process simple and straightforward.
Beloit College – Beloit, Wisconsin
- Beloit believes we learn best by doing, so we offer a flexible curriculum with hands-on learning opportunities in every major.
- There are more than 16,000 Beloit College alumni around the world who form a network of support for our students.
- We are a "College That Changes Lives" and a place where our diverse student body learns both in the classroom and all around campus.
Carthage College – Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Carthage offers more than 75 subject areas, including Business fields, Criminal Justice, Engineering, Pre-Health fields, 92% medical school acceptance rate, STEM fields, and more.
- Student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1 for a strong network. Average class size is 17.
- Carthage is 30 miles from College of Lake County.
- In/Out state students have the same Carthage tuition rate and scholarships.
- 100% of Carthage students receive Carthage financial aid. FAFSA aid also offered if eligible.
- CLC AA/AS degree courses transfer and complete all General course requirements.
Columbia College Chicago – Chicago, Illinois
- Columbia ranks in the top 10 for our programs in Music, Film, Game Design, Illustration, and Comedy. Plus, we continue to be ranked among the top innovative colleges in the Midwest!
- Students have the opportunity to work in professional-level spaces before they graduate, whether they DJ in the WCRX FM radio studio, write in the Columbia Chronicle newsroom, or create film works in the 35,500-square-foot Media Production Center.
- Columbia is a diverse institution with 55% of all students identifying as students of color, 51% as first-generation, and 40% as members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Columbia College of Missouri – Gurnee, Illinois
- Columbia College online programs named among nation’s best. Source: U.S. News and World Report.
- Columbia College was rated a top online military-friendly institution in 2024 by OnlineU.
- The Chicago White Sox play at Guaranteed Rate Field, which is named for the company Columbia College alumnus Victor Ciardelli founded in Chicago in 2000.
DePaul University – Chicago, Illinois
- Home to dozens of nationally top-ranked academic programs
- Among the nation’s top performing institutions for social mobility. Source: U.S. News & World Report
- Recognized by the Phi Theta Kappa "Honor Roll" as a Transfer Friendly Institution every year the award has existed (2016-present)
Eastern Illinois University – Charleston, Illinois
- EIU offers automatic Transfer Student Scholarships upon admission. and students can apply for our Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship.
- Personal relationships are critical at EIU. With a student-faculty ratio of 15:1 and an average classroom size of approximately 25, our students get the attention of experienced faculty who are passionate about their field of study. They provide support, encouragement, and hands-on experiences to help ensure success.
- EIU is transfer-friendly, with approximately 40% of our incoming class each year being transfer students. We offer transfer-friendly in-person, online, and BAAS programs to support all students.
- EIU is consistently recognized as a top public university in Illinois in the U.S. News and World Report’s annual college rankings of “Best Colleges.” Rankings are based on academic excellence, cost, retention rates, graduation rates and student outcomes.
Elmhurst University – Elmhurst, Illinois
- Elmhurst University is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).
- Average class size is 18 students.
- We are a Certified Arboretum.
- Each year, Elmhurst University offers an Honors full-ride scholarship to one CLC student in the honors program.
Herzing University – Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Direct Entry, No Wait list / Petitioning BSN, offered online or hybrid. (There are different entrance requirements for the online BSN program.)
- RN to MSN program. Select area of concentration from FNP, PMHNP, PNP, AGACNP, AGPCNP, NE, NLA & Public Health.
- Offering Nursing pathways from Diploma to Doctorate including LPN to BSN Bridge program.
- Officially a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as of 2023.
Illinois State University – Normal, Illinois
- With 1 in 3 of Illinois State students transferring from other colleges and universities, Illinois State is known for being a transfer-friendly institution.
- We have an 89% transfer student retention rate - when students transfer to Illinois State, they love it here!
- On average, our graduates enjoy an earning potential of more than $15,000 above the national average.
- Illinois State's transfer resources and CLC major-specific course recommendations allow students to transition seamlessly and complete their degrees in any one of 165 majors offered.
- Illinois State offers both Phi Theta Kappa and automatic Transfer Student Scholarships.
Lake Forest College – Lake Forest, Illinois
- More than 1,825 students from 44 states and 119 countries.
- Over 80 majors and minors available.
- 98% of recent graduates secured jobs or continued their education within nine months of graduation.
- U.S. News & World Report ranked Lake Forest College #1 in the nation for Social Mobility.
- The Wall Street Journal rated the College as the Top Liberal Arts College in the Midwest for 2024.
- Our Forester Flagship Program offers qualified Illinois students an incredible opportunity: It covers 100% of tuition and fees through grants and scholarships that do not need to be repaid.
Lincoln University of Missouri – Jefferson City, Missouri
- Lincoln was founded in 1886 by the soldiers and officers of the 62nd and 65th United States Colored Infantries for the special benefit of freed African Americans. Now Lincoln is safe place for all students.
- 32 different countries (including the USA) are represented by our student body.
- Free tutoring on campus.
- Teacher to student ratio is 1:17.
Marquette University – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit University with a mission of service. Marquette is ranked no. 1 for a ‘Best College’ for community service by Princeton Review for 2025.
- Marquette is ranked #6 nationally for job placement using data from the U.S. Department of Education Scorecard. (Rankings released by Zippia.com)
- We're located in Milwaukee less than two miles from the lakefront.
- Marquette's St. Joan of Arc Chapel is from the 15th century and has a stone that St. Joan of Arc herself has said to have kneeled upon while praying before battle.
National Louis University – Chicago, Illinois
- NLU offers some degree completion programs through the University Center of Lake County. For more information visit the University Center NLU webpage.
- NLU’s Kendall College has been chosen one of the top 22 culinary schools in the nation by FSR Magazine.
- NLU was ranked as the #30 best national university by Washington Monthly, as well as the #1 Best Bang for the Buck in the Midwest.
- Money Magazine ranked NLU in top 10 colleges nationally whose graduates say best prepared them to “make the world a better place.”
- Designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) by the US government.
- NLU’s National College of Education has had 80 alumni honored by the Golden Apple Foundations of Chicago and Rockford with one of the most prestigious education honors in the state of Illinois and more than any other school of education in the state.
North Central College – Naperville, Illinois
- With one-third of our students being transfers, we have a number of resources and processes in place to ensure your journey to becoming a Cardinal is simple and smooth. And, when you officially join the Cardinal Family, you’ll receive a warm welcome from our Student Success Team, Transfer Connections, and our supportive campus community.
- From our inclusive Cardinal Community of over 2,600 undergraduate students—36% of whom are first-generation college students—to the world-class academic facilities featuring all of the state-of-the-art equipment students need to be well-versed in today's technology and cutting-edge best practices, you'll find a school with an exciting campus life, distinctive academic programs and impressive opportunities for students.
- With being right next to the Metra train station located by downtown Naperville, ranked as one of the best cities to live in America, you can complete door-opening internships in every industry imaginable in and around the Chicagoland area. 84.3% of our graduates are employed or attending graduate school within six months of graduation.
Northeastern Illinois University – Chicago, Illinois
- Northeastern Illinois University is the most diverse university in the Midwest Source: The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Ranking
- NEIU offers more than 120 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, and has an 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.
- NEIU is one of the most affordable universities in the region with yearly undergraduate tuition currently at $431 per credit hour.
- NEIU is the closest public university in proximity to UCLC and offers degree completion programs through the University Center of Lake County. For more information visit the University Center NEIU webpage.
Northern Illinois University – DeKalb, Illinois
- NIU is recognized nationally as a leading Emerging Research Institution and is among Carnegie-classified R2 universities for high research activity. Our Research Rookies program gives students the opportunity to conduct research as early as their first year at NIU.
- NIU offers place-based degree completion programs to enable students to earn an NIU degree at five convenient locations, including a degree in Applied Management through the University Center of Lake County.
- NIU supports the success of our students by preparing them for the workforce. Our students have gone on to prominent leadership roles in business, education, law, sports, research, politics, the arts and other areas. Dan Castellaneta, star of the longest running American scripted primetime series, “The Simpsons” is one of our most famous alums.
- NIU competes at the highest level (Division I) of NCAA intercollegiate athletics in 17 men’s and women’s sports in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). On Sept. 7, 2024, NIU became the first team in MAC football history to beat an opponent ranked in the AP top 5 when the Huskies defeated Notre Dame 16-14.
North Park University – Chicago, Illinois
- Christian: Rooted in the Christian faith, North Park welcomes students from all faith backgrounds and fosters an understanding of all beliefs. Here, you’ll find a dialogue that nurtures spiritual growth and exploration.
- City-Centered: North Park works to engage the neighborhood and city in ways that enrich the life of the campus and connect us to the diverse people of Chicago. This engagement complements the programs NPU provides in the liberal arts, as well as in areas such as business, health sciences, and education.
- Intercultural: North Park embraces and values all people and celebrates the global cultural tapestry that is reflected on our campus. We work to ensure the success of all our students, regardless of race, ethnicity, or religious beliefs.
- North Park offers some degree completion programs through the University Center of Lake County. For more information visit the University Center North Park webpage.
Ripon College – Ripon, Wisconsin
- Ripon College provides financial assistance to 100% of its student body, so that students can receive a private school education at a public school price. Every student admitted to Ripon College is guaranteed a merit-based scholarship.
- The five-course Catalyst curriculum ensures students are able to complete multiple majors and minors, experiential study and hold internships in four years. A total of 124 credits are required to graduate with a degree from Ripon College. Catalyst consists of 20 required course credits, giving students the flexibility to choose where they spend their time.
- Ripon has proudly invested $35 million in strategic infrastructure projects, highlighting our commitment to our history of academic excellence, enhancement of campus vitality, and the overall student experience. In fall 2023, we opened the new Hopp Stadium and in fall 2024, we opened the new Franzen Science Center with improved labs and STEM resources. Along with the new science center, we've launched a new undergraduate Engineering program. Read about infrastructure projects on the Ripon College website.
Roosevelt University – Chicago, Illinois
- Each year, transfer students make up approximately 50% of Roosevelt’s incoming class. CLC students can transfer up to 70 semester hours toward completing a Roosevelt degree.
- Roosevelt awards $1,000 to $3,000 in renewable annual merit scholarships to full-time transfer students, based on transfer GPA. Students that are members of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society will also be eligible for a renewable annual scholarship of $500.
- Roosevelt University is Chicago's only NCAA Division II athletic program.
- Roosevelt has two convenient campus locations in Schaumburg, Ill. and downtown Chicago.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago – Chicago, Illinois
- Producer of the most Fulbright Scholars over the last decade among all art and design schools, SAIC is one of the oldest accredited independent schools of art and design in the country.
- SAIC has the largest school-museum campus in the United States.
- In the top 10 art and design schools in the country for both starting and mid-career salary potential Source: Payscale
- "The most influential art school in the United States" Source: Columbia University’s Art Critics National Arts Journalism Survey
Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, Illinois
- SIU offers more than 200 majors, minors and specializations and offers many hands-on learning, professional development and research opportunities.
- SIU is affordable. More than 90% of our students receive financial aid, and our graduates graduate with 13% less debt than other Illinois students.
- SIU offers automatic transfer scholarships based on your GPA, up to $4,000. In addition, students with a 3.5+ GPA are able to apply for the full-ride Provost Scholarship, valued at over $27,000.
- SIU offers several degree completion programs through the University Center of Lake County. For more information visit the University Center SIU webpage.
Tennessee State University – Nashville,Tennessee
- Between 1956 and 1978. the TSU band performed half-time shows for nine professional football games, including the 1963 National Championship game between the New York Giants and the Chicago Bears at Wrigley Field in Chicago, IL. Reportedly, it was during one of these halftime performances that a sportscaster called the marching band from Tennessee State University "The Aristocrat of Bands." Needless to say, the name stuck.
- Tennessee State University is among the few historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with a chapter of Phi Eta Sigma, the oldest and largest freshman honor society in the United States and a Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, the most prestigious honor society comprising all academic disciplines.
- Our Nashville home offers two locations — the 500-acre main campus nestles in a beautiful residential neighborhood along the Cumberland River, and the downtown Avon Williams campus sits near the center of Nashville’s business and government district.
The University of Illinois at Chicago – Chicago, Illinois
- One out of every 10 Chicagoans with a college degree is a UIC graduate Source: UIC viewbook.
- Rated Illinois’ most diverse university. Source: U.S. News & World Report, 2025.
- Rated one of the most transformative schools in the nation by Money Magazine.
The University of Illinois System
- Almost one-third of all undergraduate degrees handed out at our May 2022 graduation ceremonies in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, and Springfield were to former transfer students.
- More than 4,000 students each year transfer to the University of Illinois.
- 51% of all Illinois college students attending a public university are enrolled in the University of Illinois System.
University of Iowa – Iowa City, Iowa
- The University of Iowa was the first state university in America to admit men and women on an equal basis.
- The University of Iowa has over 200 areas of study.
- Their mascot is Herky the Hawk!
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- UWM is a good value and an even better investment. Special tuition reduction programs like the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) and the Milwaukee Advantage Program (MAP) for Illinois students, bring costs close to Wisconsin resident rates.
- UWM is one of the nation's top 115 research universities as recognized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Our discoveries transform lives and fuel the region's economy.
- Internships and networking opportunities with major employers based right in our backyard, including Northwestern Mutual, Rockwell Automation, Milwaukee Film, GE Healthcare and Johnson Controls, give you a head start building your career network.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside – Kenosha, Wisconsin
- UW-Parkside has over 700 acres of breathtaking prairies and beautiful woodlands – great for walking, running, biking or quiet time to enjoy the outdoors.
- UW-Parkside is the only Division II athletic program in the state of Wisconsin
- All of the academic buildings are connected with a skywalk.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater – Whitewater, Wisconsin
- Ranked #1 in Wisconsin for Student Experience by The Wall Street Journal.
- Ranked #2 public school in Wisconsin by The Wall Street Journal.
- 99.5% of graduates employed or in grad school within a year.
- Only Wisconsin school in the 50 best disability-friendly universities in the U.S.
Western Illinois University – Macomb, Illinois
- Automated scholarships for students enrolling part-time or full-time.
- Over 250 clubs and organizations for students to be involved in.
- Western Illinois is the only public school in the U.S. with permission to use the nickname The Fighting Leathernecks.
- Ability to request a personalized transfer plan (ADD).