DeVry University Transfer Credits Guide — ACE & NCCRS Course Equivalency

Yes. DeVry University reviews ACE and NCCRS recommendations as part of its transfer-credit process, along with CLEP and military training. The registrar and the academic department both matter, because the department decides whether the course fits the program. For example, a UPI Study general education course is more likely to post as elective or gen-ed credit than a highly specialized major course. That’s normal at DeVry.

DeVry generally allows a large amount of transfer credit, but the exact limit depends on the degree and where the credits come from. For bachelor’s programs, the school typically requires a substantial portion of the degree to be completed at DeVry, so external credits can’t cover everything. Lower-division general education and electives are the easiest places to slot them in. Major requirements are reviewed more tightly, especially in technical programs.

DeVry accepts many regionally accredited community college credits, but each course still gets evaluated individually. Common transfer pathways exist through Illinois community colleges and other two-year schools, especially for general education. UPI Study credits are handled differently because they come through ACE/NCCRS recommendations rather than a brick-and-mortar college transcript, but they’re still reviewed by the registrar. If a community college course and a UPI Study course cover the same subject, the one that matches DeVry’s course outline more closely usually has the better chance of fitting.

First, finish the UPI Study course and request your transcript. Then send it to DeVry’s registrar or admissions team for evaluation. After that, the relevant academic office checks how the course fits your program, and the credit is posted if it’s approved. Turnaround can take a few weeks, so don’t wait until the week classes start.

DeVry’s undergraduate tuition is about $554 per credit hour. Thirty credits at that rate comes out to about $16,620. A UPI Study annual plan costs $499, so if those credits all transfer, the savings are huge. Even if only part of the credit applies, you’re still cutting a real chunk off the degree cost.

DeVry is best known for business, accounting, healthcare, cybersecurity, and software-related programs. Those majors can be credit-heavy, so using UPI Study credits for general education can free up room for the higher-level courses you actually need in the major. That’s especially useful in Keller Graduate School of Management pathways and in the College of Engineering & Information Sciences. The cleanest strategy is to knock out gen-ed credit before you start the core sequence.

DeVry’s transfer admission standards are generally accessible, and students with prior college work are often reviewed holistically. A 2.0 GPA is a common baseline for transfer consideration, though some programs may want stronger academic history. UPI Study course grades don’t usually factor into DeVry’s transfer GPA the same way traditional college grades do, but they can still help with credit placement. If you’re borderline, a clean transcript and solid recent work matter.

DeVry uses rolling admissions, so transfer applicants can usually apply throughout the year. That said, you should still work backward from the term you want to start. Fall and spring start dates fill differently by program, and transcript evaluation takes time. Completing UPI Study courses well before your target start date gives the registrar more room to review the credit before registration.

DeVry admits students on a rolling basis, with multiple start dates during the year. That works well for transfer students because they don’t have to wait for a single fall deadline. Online and campus-based programs can have different start schedules.

There usually isn’t a single fixed deadline for fall or spring at DeVry because the school uses rolling admissions. Instead, students apply before the start date they want and allow time for transcript review. If you’re transferring credits, earlier is better.

Yes, it’s built to take transfer students. A large share of DeVry students are adults or working learners who already have some college credit, military training, or prior experience. The school also has transfer review processes for nontraditional credit, which helps students moving in from community college or ACE/NCCRS sources.

No, DeVry generally does not require SAT or ACT scores for transfer admission, and many undergraduate applicants won’t need them at all. The school focuses more on prior academic history and transcripts. That makes it easier for adult and transfer students who’ve been out of high school for years.

Yes. New students usually go through an orientation process, and transfer students get information on registration, advising, and technology setup. Much of it can be done online, which fits the school’s delivery model.

DeVry is both online and on campus, but the online side is much bigger. The Naperville campus is the main physical location, and the university also has additional site locations and a strong online division. It’s not a traditional residential school, so dorm life isn’t a major part of the experience.

DeVry offers institutional scholarships and tuition savings programs, including options for transfer students and adult learners. Some awards are based on academic history, while others are tied to enrollment status or employer partnerships. If you’re transferring in credits, you should ask about any scholarship stacking rules before you enroll.

Most students finish a single course in 2–4 weeks studying a few hours per day. There are no deadlines. You can go faster if you already know the material, or spread it out over a couple of months if you're working full-time. The self-paced format means your schedule decides the timeline, not a semester calendar.

ACE (American Council on Education) and NCCRS (National College Credit Recommendation Service) are organizations that evaluate non-traditional coursework and recommend it for college credit. They're the same bodies that evaluate military training and CLEP exams. Over 2,100 US universities have policies to accept credits from ACE/NCCRS-evaluated sources. The recommendation doesn't automatically mean a specific university will take every course — each registrar evaluates independently — but it's the standard credential for this type of transfer.

Once you pass a course, you can request an official transcript through the UPI Study portal. Transcripts are processed within a few business days and sent directly to your university's registrar, or provided as a PDF for you to submit yourself. The transcript lists completed courses, credit hours, grades, and the ACE/NCCRS recommendation reference.