Pacific Admissions GroupUC transfer acceptance rates by campus (fall 2026)
For fall 2026, UC Merced admitted the highest share of transfer applicants (76.7%), followed by UC Riverside (69.6%) and UC Santa Cruz (67.5%). UC Berkeley (20.0%) and UCLA (22.2%) were the most selective. These are campus-wide rates. Your real odds depend heavily on your major, your GPA and whether you finished your major preparation.
Transfer acceptance rate at each UC
Figures come from each campus's profile on UC Admissions, listed from highest to lowest admit rate.
| Campus | Applicants | Admits | Admit rate | Offers TAG? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UC Merced | 6,635 | 5,089 | 76.7% | Yes, all majors |
| UC Riverside | 14,915 | 10,382 | 69.6% | Yes |
| UC Santa Cruz | 13,546 | 9,141 | 67.5% | Yes |
| UC Santa Barbara | 18,870 | 11,620 | 61.6% | Yes, most majors (not Engineering or Creative Studies) |
| UC Davis | 17,400 | 10,138 | 58.3% | Yes, most majors |
| UC San Diego | 26,339 | 12,473 | 47.4% | No |
| UC Irvine | 27,004 | 9,839 | 36.4% | Yes, 3.4 GPA minimum (more majors excluded from fall 2028) |
| UCLA | 30,668 | 6,796 | 22.2% | No |
| UC Berkeley | 26,210 | 5,248 | 20.0% | No |
Students apply to several campuses on one UC application, so the same student counts as an applicant at each campus they choose. Don't add these rows together.
Which UC is easiest to transfer to?
By overall admit rate, UC Merced, then UC Riverside and UC Santa Cruz. But "easiest" depends on more than one number:
- Your major changes everything. A campus-wide rate blends easy and very competitive majors. Berkeley admitted 20% of all transfer applicants, but Haas Business admitted 4.9% (118 of 2,413) in its most recent cycle. Majors like computer science, engineering, economics and nursing are usually far tighter than the campus average.
- TAG can beat a high admit rate. Six campuses (Davis, Irvine, Merced, Riverside, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz) offer a Transfer Admission Guarantee. If you meet a campus's TAG terms, admission to that campus is guaranteed. That's stronger than any percentage. See our TAG guide.
- Major preparation matters more than the campus. Selective majors expect specific courses done before you transfer. Check them on ASSIST.org for each campus you're considering.
- Who applies shapes the rate. Berkeley and UCLA draw the most competitive applicants, so their rates are low even among strong students. A higher rate elsewhere doesn't mean lower standards for your major.
How to use these numbers
- Pick a TAG campus as your backup if your major qualifies. It removes most of the uncertainty. TAG applications are filed September 1–30.
- Apply to a range. Most students mix one or two reach campuses (Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD for many majors) with mid-range and higher-admit campuses.
- Look up your major's numbers. UC publishes admit rates and GPA ranges by campus and major on its transfer admit data page.
- Apply by November 30. The UC application for fall 2027 is open October 1–November 30, 2026. The fee is $80 per campus ($95 for international applicants), with waivers for up to four campuses if you qualify.
Campus guides
Requirements, deadlines and TAG details for each campus:
- How to transfer to UC Berkeley and Berkeley Haas
- How to transfer to UCLA
- How to transfer to UC San Diego
- How to transfer to UC Irvine
- How to transfer to UC Davis
- How to transfer to UC Santa Barbara
- How to transfer to UC Santa Cruz
- How to transfer to UC Riverside
- How to transfer to UC Merced
Common questions
Which UC has the highest transfer acceptance rate?
UC Merced, which admitted 76.7% of transfer applicants for fall 2026 (5,089 of 6,635). UC Riverside (69.6%) and UC Santa Cruz (67.5%) were next.
Which UC is hardest to transfer to?
UC Berkeley admitted 20.0% of transfer applicants for fall 2026 and UCLA admitted 22.2%. Within those campuses, some majors are far more selective. Berkeley Haas admitted 4.9%.
What is the 9% UC rule?
The "9%" refers to UC's Eligibility in the Local Context program, which identifies California high school students in the top 9% of their class. It applies to first-year applicants. Transfer students are evaluated on their college coursework, so it doesn't apply to you as a transfer.
Are transfer acceptance rates higher than freshman rates?
At the most selective campuses, usually yes. UC gives priority to California community college transfers. For example, Berkeley admitted 20% of transfer applicants, about double its first-year admit rate of 10.5%.
Does a high admit rate mean my major is easy to get into?
No. Campus-wide rates mix all majors together. Check your major's admit rate and GPA range on UC's transfer admit data page, and confirm your major preparation on ASSIST.org.
How many UCs can I apply to as a transfer?
As many of the nine undergraduate campuses as you like, on one UC application. Each campus costs $80 ($95 for international applicants), and fee waivers cover up to four campuses for eligible students.
Official sources
Admit figures are from each campus's UC Admissions profile, checked October 2026. Rates change every year.
- UC Admissions: UC Berkeley
- UC Admissions: UCLA
- UC Admissions: UC San Diego
- UC Admissions: UC Irvine
- UC Admissions: UC Davis
- UC Admissions: UC Santa Barbara
- UC Admissions: UC Santa Cruz
- UC Admissions: UC Riverside
- UC Admissions: UC Merced
- UC Admissions: transfer admit data by campus and major
- UC Admissions: Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG)
About the author
Manraj, Founder of Pacific Admissions Group
Manraj transferred from a California community college and was admitted to UC Berkeley Haas, UCLA Business Economics, USC Marshall and UC Irvine Merage. He enrolled at Haas. More about us
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