Buffalo, NY - Canisius University has been named to Phi Theta Kappa’s (PTK) 2026 Transfer Honor Roll, marking the third consecutive year it has earned recognition. The honor was awarded to 275 colleges and universities nationwide that demonstrated exceptional success in creating pathways that help community college students complete their bachelor’s degrees. The ranking positions Canisius among the nation’s most transfer‑friendly institutions.
The Transfer Honor Roll is one of the most comprehensive evaluations of transfer excellence in the country. Rather than measuring a single metric, PTK evaluates how well institutions support transfer students from admission through graduation, providing a national benchmark for colleges committed to transfer success. Institutions are assessed across five areas shown to influence transfer student success: outcomes, credit mobility and degree applicability, financial support, recruitment and admissions practices, and campus engagement and support.
Enrollment Momentum Driven by Transfer Students
Transfer enrollment played a significant role in Canisius University’s enrollment gains this year. The number of transfer students entering Canisius in spring 2026 increased 41% compared to spring 2025, reflecting both rising student interest and strengthened student pathways. This follows a strong fall 2025 semester, when Canisius welcomed 567 new undergraduate students, including 456 first-year students and 111 transfer students.
"This recognition is a direct reflection of our strategic commitment to becoming the premier student success university in Western New York,” said Kevin Smith, interim vice president for enrollment. “Transfer students face unique challenges, and we’ve built a model that removes those so students can persist and graduate. Being named to the Transfer Honor Roll for a third consecutive year tells us that approach is working.”
Students who transfer to Canisius University benefit from a comprehensive network of academic, financial and personal support designed to help them thrive from day one. Key elements of Canisius’ transfer-friendly model include:
- Clear and generous credit transfer policies — Students may apply up to 66 credits from a two‑year institution and up to 90 credits from a four‑year institution. Coursework from military service, AP, CLEP and International Baccalaureate exams is also evaluated.
- Early, personalized advising — Prospective students receive unofficial credit evaluations before applying, along with guidance on how current coursework may apply to their intended major. Once enrolled, transfer students are advised by associate deans or program directors with deep program expertise.
- A dedicated transition course — All incoming transfer students enroll in GRIFF 201: Transfer Success Experience, a credited course that introduces campus resources, financial aid, academic planning and career development, helping students build community and confidence in their first semester.
- Strong financial support — 100% of transfer students receive merit‑based aid, with awards ranging from $9,000 to $17,000 per year. Members of Phi Theta Kappa or Alpha Beta Gamma may qualify for an additional $2,000 Transfer Honors Scholarship. Eligible students may also earn a $1,000 Transfer Student Visit & Apply Grant.
- Robust community college partnerships — Canisius maintains more than 150 transfer agreements with Western New York community colleges, providing clear pathways from associate‑degree programs to bachelor’s‑degree completion.
- Career‑ready learning opportunities — Transfer students have full access to internships, job‑shadowing, study abroad, service immersion trips and professional development through Career Services.
- A welcoming campus culture — Faculty engagement begins early, often during campus visits, and continues through mentoring, advising and hands‑on learning. Students consistently cite the supportive environment as a defining part of their Canisius experience
Canisius University offers rolling admission for transfer applicants, allowing students to apply at any point during the year. Click here to learn more about the admissions process for transfer students.
Phi Theta Kappa is the first 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 4.3 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation's colleges.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
