Thiel College among western Pennsylvania’s top transfer-friendly colleges for 3rd straight year

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College is included on Phi Theta Kappa’s 2025 Transfer Honor Roll, a national distinction recognizing four-year colleges and universities that demonstrate excellence in supporting community college transfer students through clear, effective, and student-centered pathways.

This marks the third consecutive year Thiel has earned this recognition.

“I chose to come to Thiel because (a) small campus equals (a) strong community. I love the one-on-one connections with professors, faculty and staff,” said member of the nationally-recognized cheer team Marissa Gulnac ’26.

The senior nursing major added that Thiel gives her the flexibility to participate in the sport she has loved since childhood while still prioritizing her academics.

• Learn more about transferring to Thiel College.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society named 251 institutions to its 2025 Transfer Honor Roll earlier this year, identifying colleges that perform in the top 25 percent of more than 1,000 four-year institutions evaluated. Thiel College is among 21 colleges and universities in Pennsylvania to earn the honor and is one of just two Western Pennsylvania institutions outside the Pittsburgh metropolitan area recognized on this year’s list.

“I felt supported and welcomed from Day 1,” said business administration major and transfer student Riley Dunbar ’29.

The Transfer Honor Roll is determined by 40 metrics related to transfer student support and success, including college cost and financial aid, admissions practices, campus life, and bachelor’s degree completion rates. Evaluation is based on PTK Connect data, an online tool designed to help students identify best-fit institutions, as well as analysis from the National Student Clearinghouse.

Institutions selected for the Transfer Honor Roll demonstrated outstanding outcomes in several key areas, including:

• 56% average undergraduate population made up of transfer students
• 75% average bachelor’s degree completion rate among transfer students
• 81% average of previously earned credits applied toward degree completion
• 74% of transfer students receiving merit-based financial aid

“We’re proud of the transfer outcomes we’re seeing at these Honor Roll colleges,” said Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “These colleges are doing more than just opening doors — they’re walking students through them. Their commitment to creating clear, supportive pathways demonstrates what’s possible when student success is truly the priority.”

• Read more about the Transfer Honor Roll.

Thiel College was recognized for its transfer-friendly admissions practices, transparent and supportive credit-evaluation process, affordability, and commitment to helping transfer students transition successfully into campus life and academic programs.

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 10 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges.

• Learn more about Phi Theta Kappa.

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