GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College has been named to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s 2026 Transfer Honor Roll, marking the fourth consecutive year the College has been recognized among the nation’s top four-year institutions for creating pathways that help community college transfer students successfully earn bachelor’s degrees.
Thiel is one of just 275 colleges and universities nationwide—and 24 institutions in Pennsylvania—to earn a place on the 2026 Transfer Honor Roll. More than 1,100 colleges and universities completed Phi Theta Kappa’s institutional profile for consideration.
The Transfer Honor Roll is one of the nation’s most comprehensive recognitions of transfer excellence. Institutions are evaluated using data from the National Student Clearinghouse and PTK Connect, Phi Theta Kappa’s online platform connecting community college students with transfer opportunities.
Rather than focusing on a single measure, the Honor Roll evaluates how well institutions support transfer students throughout their college experience, from admission through graduation. Colleges are assessed in five areas: transfer student success outcomes; credit mobility and degree applicability; financial support for transfer students; recruitment and admissions practices; and campus engagement and support.
“This recognition is about much more than transfer agreements,” Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Lynn Tincher-Ladner, Ph.D. said. “Successful transfer happens when institutions intentionally design policies, practices, and campus cultures that help students thrive after they arrive. These colleges have demonstrated that transfer student success is not accidental. It is a strategic priority.”
Institutions recognized on the 2026 Honor Roll reported an average bachelor’s degree completion rate of 77 percent for transfer students, with an average of 88 percent of transferred credits applying toward a degree. On average, 76 percent of transfer students at the recognized institutions receive merit-based financial aid.
The Transfer Honor Roll has become a national benchmark for transfer excellence. This year, 1,117 colleges and universities completed PTK’s institutional profile, which provides prospective transfer students with information about transfer opportunities and allows institutions to compare their transfer practices with peers nationwide.
“Recognition matters because it shines a light on what works,” Phi Theta Kappa Senior Director of College Relations Heather Yush said. “When colleges are recognized for transfer excellence, they create powerful examples that inspire other institutions to strengthen their own transfer pathways. Ultimately, that means more students earn the bachelor’s degrees they set out to achieve.”
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is an international honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them grow as scholars and leaders.
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.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.