Excelsior University Transfer Credits Guide — ACE & NCCRS Course Equivalency

Yes. Excelsior University reviews ACE and NCCRS recommendations through its registrar process, along with CLEP and military training. The school then decides whether the course fits as general education, elective, or major credit. For example, a UPI Study psychology course might post as elective credit if it doesn’t match a required course in your degree plan. Nursing and other program-specific majors can be stricter about what counts toward the major.

Excelsior is known for accepting a large amount of transfer credit, but the exact cap depends on the degree and where the credits came from. In many bachelor’s programs, students can bring in a substantial amount of outside credit, while the last portion of the degree has to be completed through Excelsior. Program rules matter most in nursing and upper-division majors. External credits often fill general education or elective slots first.

Excelsior regularly evaluates community college transcripts from across the country, especially from regionally accredited schools. Credits from SUNY and other public community colleges often transfer cleanly when the course content lines up with Excelsior’s requirements. UPI Study credits are treated differently because they’re evaluated through ACE/NCCRS recommendations rather than a college transcript. That means they can still transfer, but the registrar will place them based on course equivalency and degree fit.

First, finish the UPI Study course and request your transcript or completion record from UPI Study. Then send it to Excelsior University’s registrar for evaluation. After that, the registrar and, if needed, the academic department decide how the credit posts. Students usually see the fastest result when they submit everything before the term starts, and a pre-evaluation request can help if you’re planning your degree path.

Excelsior’s undergraduate tuition is about $510 per credit. Thirty credits at that rate would be roughly $15,300. UPI Study’s $499 yearly plan is far less than that, so the savings can be significant if those credits are accepted toward your degree. The biggest savings usually come when ACE/NCCRS courses replace general education or elective credits you’d otherwise have to take at Excelsior.

Excelsior is best known for nursing, business, technology, and liberal arts. The School of Nursing is the big one, especially for RNs moving into a BSN or graduate degree. Transfer credits help most by clearing general education requirements early, which leaves more room for upper-division nursing, business, or technology courses. That’s especially useful if you’re balancing work and school.

Excelsior’s transfer GPA requirement depends on the program, and some majors are more selective than others. General transfer applicants usually need to show they can handle college-level work, while nursing and certain upper-level programs can ask for stronger academic records. UPI Study course grades don’t usually factor into your college GPA the way graded university courses do, but they can still support your credit evaluation if the completion is documented properly.

Excelsior uses rolling admissions for many programs, so transfer applications are often accepted for upcoming terms rather than one fixed deadline. That said, nursing and some other programs may have priority dates or cohort-based timelines. If you’re using UPI Study credits, finish them well before you apply so the registrar has time to post the credits before registration opens.

Excelsior admits students more than once a year, and many programs use rolling admissions. Transfer students usually have more flexibility than freshmen, especially in online and adult-focused programs. Nursing and certain majors can still follow term-based starts.

Deadlines vary by program, but many Excelsior applications are handled on a rolling basis. Nursing and other structured programs may have term-specific cutoffs or priority dates. Transfer students should check the start term early, since transcript review can take time.

Yes. Excelsior has built its model around transfer students, adult learners, and military-connected students. A large share of its students arrive with prior college credit, CLEP, military training, or other outside learning. That makes it one of the more transfer-oriented schools in New York.

For transfer admission, SAT and ACT scores usually aren’t the main focus. Excelsior looks more closely at college transcripts and program fit. Freshman applicants may have different expectations, but transfer students are generally evaluated on prior college work rather than test scores.

Yes. New students usually complete an orientation process, and transfer students often get guidance on registration and degree planning. Much of it can be handled online, which fits Excelsior’s distance-learning model.

Excelsior is primarily online. It doesn’t operate like a traditional residential campus, so dorm life isn’t part of the experience. Students usually study remotely and connect with advisors, faculty, and services online.

Excelsior offers a mix of institutional aid, transfer-related awards, and program-specific scholarships. Nursing students often see the most targeted funding options, and military-connected students may qualify for additional support. Transfer students can usually apply for the same aid pool as other undergraduates, depending on the program.

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.