American River College's Counseling and Transfer Services can support you in evaluating transfer requirements and articulation agreements to many independent, private, or out-of-state colleges to which you want to transfer. Most four-year institutions give full credit for general education courses and other courses designated for transfer at community colleges. The key is to start early so that you can develop a plan for your options.
See ARC’s Articulation Agreements for the most up-to-date information regarding courses that are considered comparable to many independent, private, and out-of-state colleges.
Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU)
The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) is made up of more than 80 independent, private non-profit colleges and universities in California. Many have unique and specific transfer requirements. Visit AICCU's Choosing a College website to learn more about their campuses.
Many AICCU colleges and universities offer guaranteed admission when you earn an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) from a community college. You can view a full list of AICCU ADT Participating Institutions and majors accepted.
Known as independent or privately funded universities, there are 85 nonprofit institutions to select from.
It is important to do research on which campus is best for your academic and personal needs, including financial aid resources. You can view and learn about them using the CA Private Institutions list through the California Community College Transfer Counselor website.
Campus location and program search
- View many of the colleges using the AICCU campus location finder
- Search for majors using the major search feature
How to apply
Each of these campuses have varying deadlines. The application process uses the Common Application (Common App).
Each AICCU campus in California offers a wide variety of services and features.
Some of these universities have partnered with the ARC campus community: See a University Representative
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were created primarily to serve the higher education needs of the Black community, however, they are open to students of all ethnicities. HBCUs are located in the South and on the East Coast and award bachelor's degrees in many fields; many award master's and doctorate degrees as well. (Source: California Community Colleges Transfer Guarantee Pathways to HBCU. To learn more about the History of HBCU campuses, please visit History of Black Higher Education in America.)
Any California community college student with a GPA of 2.0 or higher (note: certain partner HBCUs will require a higher GPA) is guaranteed admission to all partner HBCU institutions using either of the following two options:
- Complete an associate degree for transfer (ADT) using the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education Breadth pattern.
- Complete a minimum of 30 UC or CSU units.
History
The very first HBCU in the country was Cheyney University. The second was the University of DC. The third was Lincoln University and the first independent HBCU funded and founded by black people was Wilberforce. Since 1837, more than 100 historically black colleges and universities have been founded in the United States.
Source: How HBCUs Started
The rich beauty and history of HBCU’s is documented in many websites, from timelines to detailed accounts of relevance and impact in higher education, to stories documented on the National Museum of African American History and Culture website,
When most universities in the United States were inaccessible to African Americans, today, HBSUs are responsible for:
- 40% of Black engineers
- 50% of Black teachers
- 70% of Black doctors and dentists
- 80% of Black judges
Source: The history and impact of HBCUs
California Community College Partnership
The California Community College District (CCCD) maintains a strong partnership with HBCU Transfer Opportunities
California Grants
The California Student Aid Commission does offer California Grants to CA students that transfer to an HBCU. You can see a complete list of current universities 2026-2027.
Transfer Guarantee
Learn more about the CCCD HBCU Transfer Guarantee or complete a Student Contact Request form to inquire about an HBCU campus. To apply, you can use the Common Black College App.
Student Resource Guide
Students, make sure you view this HBCU student resource guide that can serve as an outline of how to best prepare for this educational path.
Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs)
History
Tribal College and Universities (TCUs), represented by the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), are dedicated to supporting students’ success while preserving the cultures, languages, and sovereignty of Tribal Nations. The AIHEC vision is “a unified group of Tribal Colleges and Universities that cultivates student success and perpetuates the lifeways and sovereignty of Tribal Nations.” Source: AIHEC Vision and Mission
Tribal College Programs
There are 36 federally recognized tribal colleges and universities (also known as “1994 Institutions”, “1994s”, and “tribal land-grants”) designated as land-grant institutions through the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994. These institutions advance educational opportunities, strengthen reservation communities, and improve career pathways for Native students and their communities. Source: Tribal College Program).
Student Resources and Initiatives
TCUs offer a wide range of academic programs and initiatives in areas such as STEM, health sciences, agriculture, and cyberinfrastructure. Students can explore campuses across the United States through an interactive map and access valuable resources, including scholarships, grants, student support services, academic advising, and campus activities.
California Resources
The California Tribal College (CTB) make available educational and certificate opportunities through partnerships with accredited universities, expanding access to higher education for California Native communities.
The California Indian Nation’s College has been named “the first Tribal College in California in nearly 30 years” source: California Indian Nation’s College. View their Associates Degree options.
The Indigenous Research Center of the Americas at UC Davis is a forum that shares knowledge and promotes indigenous cultures in Native nations.
Student Resource Guide
The American Indian College Fund (AICF) offers extensive student services featuring scholarships, application support, high school student and transfer resources, mental health resources, college success tips, and an outline of Native-focused programs and degrees.
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) and Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
WICHE Objectives
WICHE is an organization between 16 states and the U.S. Pacific Territories and Freely Associates States. Source: About WICHE—you can view the large region as well.
WUE Tuition Savings Program
WUE is a tuition savings program that allows California students to attend WUE colleges at a heavily reduced tuition rate. Make sure you visit the university you are interested in for details and requirements.
Major/Program Finder
You can view programs and majors using the program finder tool. Learn about paying for tuition at a WUE university.
Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP)
With the need of health care professionals in many communities with limited resources, WICHE partners with 12 Western states and Pacific Islands for students who want a career in 10 health fields. Learn more about PSEP
Resources
- HBCU: How to Qualify
- California Community Colleges HBCU Partner Schools
- Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) – The WUE is an agreement among the 16 member states and territories of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), through which over 160 participating public colleges and universities provide significant nonresident tuition savings for Western students. In addition, many out-of-state colleges participate in the WUE, which offers discounts to California students in certain majors. To learn more about WUE and eligibility, visit the WICHE’s major/program search feature.
Talk to Your Counselor
Talk to a counselor to learn more about transferring to a private or out-of-state college.