For the seventh year in a row, Elmhurst University has been recognized as one of the most transfer-friendly colleges and universities in the country.

Elmhurst U. was recently named to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s 2026 Transfer Honor Roll in recognition of the outstanding programs the University has created to support students transferring to Elmhurst from area community colleges. Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for community college students.

“Transfer students are near and dear to my heart but, more importantly, are greatly valued members of our campus community. So this kind of recognition, coming year after year, is especially meaningful,” says Kristina Black ’09, MBA ’21, director for academic partnerships and transfer admission. “It highlights our commitment to ensuring transfer students a seamless transition to Elmhurst, where they can feel confident in their decision and can focus on their future.”

To be considered for the Honor Roll, institutions are evaluated on how well they support transfer students from admission through graduation. Colleges and universities are assessed in areas such as transfer student success outcomes, academic credit mobility and degree applicability, financial support, recruitment and admission practices, and campus engagement and support for transfer students.

Elmhurst University enrolls more than 500 new transfer students each year, mostly from the Chicago area’s 12 community colleges. Elmhurst is known for a number of distinctive transfer-friendly programs, including Transfer Talk ’n’ Tour Weeks to share information about the University and transfer enrollment; providing transfer credit evaluations early in the process; and offering one-on-one meetings with admission counselors to discuss anything from transferrable credits and scholarship opportunities to what college life is like for transfer students at Elmhurst.

Last year, Elmhurst University also became one of the first in the country to offer direct admission to eligible members of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. The partnership with Phi Theta Kappa augments Elmhurst’s support for transfer students by increasing their access to scholarships, advanced degrees and a successful future.

“Successful transfer happens when institutions intentionally design policies, practices and campus cultures that help students thrive after they arrive,” says Lynn Tincher-Ladner, president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. She added that institutions like Elmhurst “have demonstrated that transfer student success is not accidental. It is a strategic priority.”