A 2018 study from the National Student Clearinghouse estimates that 39% of all undergraduates who initially enroll in a four-year institution transfer schools at least once. Given the academic concerns associated with transfer (for example, longer time to graduate and lower probability of earning a degree), the NCAA collects substantial data on this topic with which to inform member discussions and potential NCAA legislation. Key findings that compare student-athlete transfer behavior with their non-athlete peers include:

• Student-athletes transfer less often than their nonathlete peers (Gallup, 2020), but there are some sports in which athlete transfer rates may exceed those for nonathletes (e.g., men’s basketball, tennis).
• While members of the undergraduate population most frequently transfer for academic reasons (Li, 2010), student-athletes are most likely to report transferring for athletics reasons, including playing time, mismatch between their athletics expectations and their experience, coaching issues, and the hope of playing professionally in their sport. (NCAA GOALS study)