Strategic Recruitment Pipelines:
Why US community colleges are a missed opportunity for global universities
The fall 2025 intake marked a 3% growth in enrolment from the prior academic year at community colleges across the United States (US), representing an additional 173,000 students. This compares to a 1.4% increase at public four-year colleges, according to an earlier report also from the NSCRC*. Enrolment in private four-year nonprofit institutions fell by 1.6% over the same period.
The current landscape
US community colleges represent one of the largest untapped international student recruitment channels for overseas universities. With over nine million students enrolled nationwide, these institutions play a critical role in American higher education, particularly as stepping stones to bachelor’s degrees. As the cost of college is on the rise in the US, students are increasingly taking advantage of the community college pathway due to its accessibility, affordability, and strong academic support.
83% of the more than 9 million community college students across the US intend to transfer. In California, where there are over 2.1 million community college students enrolled, only 1 in 5 actually transfer. Many of these students are academically strong, financially conscious, and actively exploring international study options in light of the rising cost of US university tuition. The challenge is not lack of intent, but the discrepancy underpins the need for systemic changes to clarify meaningful transfer pathways for students.
Recent political and financial uncertainties in the US including the rollback of diversity initiatives, changes to the financial aid system, and the disruption of Governmentfunded mobility programmes have created a moment of opportunity for globally-minded universities to present themselves as inclusive, stable, and affordable destinations.
The median California-based transfer applicant had a cumulative GPA of 3.13 with applicants in the top 75th percentile having a GPA of 3.55.”
Why Target Community Colleges?
> Approximately 81% of community college transfer students remain enrolled at their four-year institution into their second year. Compared to the national second-year retention rate for first-time, full-time freshmen of 69.5%.
> Transfer students submit an average of 2 applications, compared to the average of 7 for first-time applicants.
> 24 US community colleges have joined the recently launched Transfer Abroad Network platform, illustrating the appetite for international transfer options. In the four months since the platform was launched for students, hundreds of students have joined the platform, and eleven students have already been admitted to transfer to an international university for the Fall intake of 2026.
The community college market is a rare example of an untapped segment within an otherwise saturated recruitment landscape.
Domestic US universities already target community colleges as a major recruitment pathway.
Community Colleges Currently Serve as a Major Pipeline for US Universities
UC Berkeley
#1 Top Public in USA
#9 in the world
Fall 2025: 5,603 transfer admits
Cornell University Ivy League & #12 in USA
Fall 2024: 834 transfer admits
University of Texas, Austin
#7 Top Public in USA
Fall 2024: 2,650 transfer admits
International universities have already seen success in building programme specific pathways with US based community colleges
PARTNER: LEADING CULINARY ARTS AND HOSPITALITY SCHOOL IN SWITZERLAND
> PATHWAY: 2+1 ARTICULATION - CULINARY ARTS
Transfer Abroad Network (TAN) began supporting a leading institution in Switzerland in spring 2025, establishing targeted engagement with California community colleges to build awareness and create clear transfer pathways into hospitality and business programmes in Switzerland.
In April 2025, TAN facilitated an inclass presentation within a Culinary Arts programme at Orange Coast College, introducing students to international transfer opportunities with the institution. By June, one student from that cohort had enrolled in the institution’s summer program in Switzerland. Initially considering domestic US options, the student remained engaged with TAN and ultimately chose to apply for transfer, committing to begin her bachelor’s degree in Switzerland in August 2026.
This early success created momentum within the classroom and institution. Through continued relationshipbuilding and peer influence, four additional students from the same cohort have now committed to completing their bachelor’s degrees at the university in Switzerland, demonstrating the power of sustained, localised engagement.
Building on the success at Orange Coast College, TAN expanded its outreach to Los Angeles TradeTechnical College (LATTC). As a result, LATTC is now sending 11 students to Switzerland to participate in this year’s summer programme, further strengthening the pipeline and increasing institutional confidence in international transfer pathways.
Within months of launching this partnership, TAN helped to establish a scalable recruitment model driven by direct classroom engagement, experiential entry points through summer programmes, and ongoing student support throughout the decision-making process.
These results highlight the effectiveness of combining early exposure, hands-on international experiences, and consistent relationship management to convert student interest into confirmed enrolments.
> 100% conversion from application to acceptance
> International option chosen over domestic pathways
> Students who initially planned to remain in the US chose Switzerland after engagement with TAN
> Close faculty collaboration and support
> Direct classroom access and faculty partnership enabled high-trust student engagement
> Consistent engagement drives conversion
> From classroom to summer programme to full degree enrolment
> Powered by the network Multi-campus pipeline built through TAN connections (OCC + LATTC)
> 5 students converted from one cohort
From initial classroom engagement to full degree commitment
> 11 students enrolled in summer programme
Pipeline expansion through LATTC partnership
> 100% of cohort engaged through faculty access
In-class presentation using network connections driving awareness and trust
> 2 community colleges activated Scalable network-driven recruitment model
Acumen and The Transfer Abroad Network (TAN) work in collaboration to support international universities seeking to develop their community college pipeline in the United States. Acumen’s consulting services and in-country representation model complement TAN’s online platform to build long term recruitment strategies and engage applicants effectively on the ground.
About Acumen
Acumen, a division of the Sannam S4 Group, is a globally recognised consultancy supporting higher education institutions with market entry, student recruitment, partnership development, and long-term international strategy.
We currently work with 80+ universities and education providers, including 18 of the QS Top 100 (2026), across dynamic and complex markets around the world.
In the US, we operate one of the most established in-country representation models in the sector, with 23 staff based across 14 states, supporting institutions on the ground through hands-on recruitment, alumni engagement, and strategic partnerships.
Crucially, Acumen is not only a service provider, we are a strategic partner with deep policy insight, regional credibility, and a full back-office capability that ensures regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and strategic alignment for our partners.
About The Transfer Abroad Network
TAN offers international universities a platform to connect with transfer seeking students at scale. We simplify one of the biggest barriers to global transfer by translating US academic records into clear pathways aligned with each institution’s entry requirements. Through intelligent matching, early engagement tools, and streamlined communication, TAN enables universities to build sustainable transfer pipelines with greater efficiency and confidence.
With 20 + university partners, 24+ community college partners, and hundreds of students using the platform within the first six months since launching, this network is serving as a much-needed bridge between education systems.
As seen in Inside Higher Ed (https://www. insidehighered.com/news/global/studyabroad/2026/03/17/new-companyhelps-community-college-studentsstudy-abroad)
Meet us at NAFSA
NAFSA attendees can join Acumen’s Executive Director, Kate Barnes and Director, Partner Success, Katie Landrey and TAN Co-Founders, Ashley Warmington and Emma Schwartz Lara to learn more about building sustainable community college pipelines.
Acumen
Kate Barnes
Session: Designing the Future of International Transfer Through Community Colleges
Date: Friday, May 29, 2026
Time: 11:40am EDT
Executive Director, UK, Europe and North America
kate.barnes@sannamS4.com
Kate leads UK partner engagement at Acumen, aligning institutional priorities with market strategy. With a background in student recruitment and international development, she ensures effective collaboration and delivery of global engagement and mobility initiatives.
Katie Landrey
Director, Partner Success, North America
katherine.landrey@sannamS4.com
Katie leverages her extensive background in higher education and coaching to support partners and manage in-country representatives in North America, fostering environments that promote growth and goal achievement. She manages North American Service Delivery, supporting university partners and ICRs to develop strategy to meet their in market goals.
Transfer Abroad Network
Ashley Warmington
Co-Founder, Co-CEO
Ashley@transferabroadnetwork.com
Ashley is a higher education professional and social impact entrepreneur. With deep experience in US community colleges and global student mobility, the Aberdeen graduate co-founded TAN to simplify international transfer and make global education accessible to all students.
Emma Schwartz Lara
Co-Founder, Co-CEO
Emma@transferabroadnetwork.com
Emma, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of TAN, leverages extensive experience in global recruitment and partnerships to design ethical, student-centered pathways. With a master’s in international education, she ensures global education is accessible, transparent, and responsive to student needs.
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Book an appointment today to discuss how we can support your internationalisation journey.
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Acumen is part of the Sannam S4 Group, established in 2008. Acumen is committed to helping ambitious university and education partners explore new growth opportunities, enter new markets and expand globally.
