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Community College Transfer to Accredited Engineering Program

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Engineering is among the best career paths today. However, the path to an engineering career is demanding—heavy on the brain and the pockets.

We suggest starting at a community college and saving yourself from hefty student loans. However, the only way to truly save your money’s worth is to ensure that the associate’s program can transfer to an ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree.

Featured Programs

In this guide, we will explain the process and benefits of a community college transfer to the engineering program. You’ll also find a few of the top ABET-accredited associate degrees in engineering in 2025.

Related:

Why Start at a Community College?

If you are an aspiring engineering leader who wants to start at a community college, you are not alone. Thousands of students want to start with a two-year degree before heading to university. We’re here to tell you that considering a community college transfer to an engineering program is a wise choice.

So, why should you consider a community college transfer to an engineering program?

#1 Cost Savings!

You might wonder how this saves money if you plan to transfer to a four-year school later, thinking, “Won’t it cost more?” Well, no.

Whether you start at a community college or directly at a university, you’ll need to complete general education courses. On average, students graduate with $30,000 in debt, but in-state community college tuition is only $3,435 per year. This lets you complete core classes at a fraction of the cost of a university.

#2 Smaller Class Sizes

Teachers can get to know your strengths and areas for improvement more quickly. Likewise, you are more likely to feel comfortable asking for help when you face challenges. This makes it a great breeding ground for a four-year engineering journey.

#3 Gradual Introduction to STEM

When you jump straight into complex topics without having a solid STEM foundation, you will quickly become burned out. Many students have dropped out of college because of this.

Community colleges gradually introduce you to the subject matter, which helps you build confidence. By the time you enter a bachelor’s program, you’ll be well-prepared to take on more advanced STEM coursework. 

#4 Flexibility

Classes at community colleges are less demanding and mostly offered only on the weekends. They will save your life if you are a working student or have other obligations outside school.

Understanding ABET Accreditation

Alright, now it’s time to fully understand the importance of pursuing ABET accredited engineering programs.

The demand for engineers is very high, yet there’s very little supply, especially in fields like civil, electrical, software, and biomedical engineering. Employers need employees, but they will never hire out of desperation.

To prove that you are really knowledgeable and skilled, you would need to present a license and a certificate. However, the only way to earn a license and certificate is by earning a degree.

Licensing and certification programs have various requirements. They look at your degree to see if it is Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology-accredited. If you graduate from an unrecognized program, it would be hard (often impossible) for you to advance or even start an engineering career. 

So, how do you verify if a program is ABET-accredited? Visit the ABET website and use their online accreditation search tool. Just search by program name, institution, or location, and you’ll be able to see if ABET officially accredits the program.

Engineering Transfer Agreements & Articulation Pathways

An articulation agreement is a binding arrangement that guarantees classes taken at one institution will transfer when a student enrolls in another. However, the details of how articulation agreements work may vary based on the school and state.

Before heading to a community college, make sure that there are clear engineering transfer agreements. One way to be sure is to ask the academic advising office about any associate’s to bachelor’s in engineering transfer agreements and/or conditions.

Just to be extra sure, you should also chat with the college/university they’re partnered with. Find out exactly which classes they’ll take to ensure a smooth transfer.

For instance, Louisiana Tech University and Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) have a direct articulation. This means if you enroll and graduate from BPCC, you can easily transfer into the engineering program at Louisiana Tech. And that’s only one of several associate to bachelor’s in engineering transfer agreements available!

Steps to Transfer from Community College to an Engineering Program

Research ABET-accredited institutions.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Contact the school’s academic advising officer and ask what college/university they are partnered with.
  2. Visit the ABET website to see if the four-year institution has accredited engineering programs.

Meet prerequisites and GPA requirements.

Remember that different colleges will have different admission requirements. One of the most common mistakes students make is creating a study plan for a specific college without even knowing if they meet the minimum criteria, which leaves them disappointed. Make sure you’re on track with the courses and GPA needed for a smooth transition.

Contact your academic advisors for course planning.

The next step is to talk one-on-one with your academic advisor. We suggest doing this early to avoid delays and missed deadlines. They will help you plan your transfer to a four-year college, including preparing the required materials.

Prepare and submit the required documents.

Your transfer application must have all the required paperwork, such as transcripts and recommendation letters. And do not forget to watch the deadlines and other specifics for your transfer.

Apply for financial aid and scholarships.

Like when you initially applied for college, you must apply for scholarships and financial aid for transfer. Many scholarships are offered to those applying for the best engineering schools for transfer students, so don’t overlook them!

ABET-Accredited Engineering Programs for Transfer Students

Ready to start your journey on a community college transfer to an engineering program? Here are a few of the best community colleges with engineering articulation agreements:

1. Louisiana Tech University and Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC)

2. Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) and Millikin University

3. University at Albany (UAlbany)

4. Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program

Online Engineering Degree Options for Transfer Students

If you are holding down a job or a family, we highly recommend that you consider online engineering degree programs over traditional ones. Are they still credible? You bet! ABET-accredited programs, whether it’s offered online or on-campus, are still highly valuable!

However, before thinking about an online engineering program, remember these:

  1. They are flexible. This can be an advantage if you have great time management skills but a great con if you are known to procrastinate.
  2. You need to be tech-savvy. You will use online platforms constantly and participate in virtual labs and simulations.
  3. Different networking opportunities. While it’s not the same as in-person networking, many online programs provide ways to engage with professors, alumni, and industry professionals.

If you are very concerned about cost and student loans, choose online formats. More affordable engineering transfer programs are available online than on campus.

Challenges and Solutions for Engineering Transfer Students

Underground STEM transfer pathways are not very easy. You can encounter several problems, especially in the beginning.

Credit Transfer Issue

In many cases, not all of your community college credits will transfer to the bachelor’s program as you’d expect. This is why it’s important to check with the university that the community college is partnered with.

Challenging Coursework

Engineering is not easy! But don’t worry – there are more than enough resources, from study groups to tutoring services, to assist you in your success.

Social Integration

Feeling like a stranger is more common than you think—it happens to everyone. The best way to connect is to join student organizations, clubs, and activities.

Career Outlook for Engineering Graduates

Engineers are the backbone of progress, which is why employment for them is much faster than other occupations. Moreover, the median annual wage for engineers is $91,420, with an average of 195,000 job openings projected each year.

Here are the top three highest-paid engineers:

  • Computer Hardware Engineers
  • Petroleum Engineers
  • Aerospace Engineers

With an ABET-accredited degree, you’ll be in an even better position to land a great job and possibly earn your professional engineering license. For more information, you can check out the Engineering Occupational Handbook.

Conclusion

Earning a community college engineering degree first is one of the smartest choices you can make.

  1. You’ll save money by completing general education courses at a lower cost.
  2. You’ll get a gradual introduction to STEM subjects.
  3. You’ll build a strong foundation before diving into more advanced topics.

Yet, transfer pathways can get complicated. To make the process smoother, do your own research and talk with academic advisors at both community colleges and four-year universities.