'Radical Innovation'
National Honor Confirms Ohio Wesleyan's Bold New Transfer Pathways Are Working
DELAWARE, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University continues to significantly expand access, increase affordability, and reduce administrative burdens for transfer students, resulting in OWU's transfer deposits increasing by nearly 219% in two years and the university being honored as "one of the most transfer-friendly colleges in the nation."
Ohio Wesleyan's newest recognition comes from Phi Theta Kappa, which has named the university to its 2025 Transfer Honor Roll. According to the organization, the honor roll "recognizes excellence in developing and supporting dynamic, innovative pathways for community college transfer students."
OWU President Matt vandenBerg said the university is continuing its bold rebellion by rebuilding an outdated higher education system that is serving more students, more effectively.
"Ohio Wesleyan believes a college education must meet students where they are, supporting them with radical innovation and responsiveness," said vandenBerg, Ed.D. "Students deserve the space and flexibility for exploration, pathways that adapt to their unique personal needs, and assurance that their degree prepares them for a rapidly changing workforce and world."
One of Ohio Wesleyan's most impactful programs for transfer students is its partnership with Columbus State Community College, signed during vandenBerg's inauguration week as OWU's 17th president. The collaboration enables:
- Qualified Columbus State graduates to transfer seamlessly to Ohio Wesleyan with junior status in any of 20 preferred major pathways.
- Up to 25 Columbus State graduates per year to enroll in OWU's Tuition Match program and continue to pay Columbus State's tuition rate if they have a 3.5 GPA or higher.
- Qualified high school students to combine Columbus State and Ohio Wesleyan enrollment in the Teach Now program to earn their OWU bachelor's degrees and Ohio teaching licenses in as little as two years.
"This level of collaboration between a liberal arts university and a community college is unprecedented," vandenBerg said, "and students are recognizing these opportunities and responding. Ohio Wesleyan's transfer deposits for fall 2025 are up 218.8% compared to fall 2023. That is a powerful, joyful – and successful – higher education rebellion."
Learn more about transferring to Ohio Wesleyan at owu.edu/transfer.
Phi Theta Kappa bases its Transfer Honor Roll on 40 key metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, including college cost and financial aid, campus life for transfer students, admission practices, and bachelor's degree completion.
Lynn Tincher-Ladner, Ph.D., president and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa, said she is proud of the outcomes being achieved by this year's Honor Roll colleges.
"These colleges are doing more than just opening doors—they're walking students through them," she said. "Their commitment to creating clear, supportive pathways demonstrates what's possible when student success is truly the priority."
About Phi Theta Kappa
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 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation's colleges. Learn more at www.ptk.org.
About Ohio Wesleyan University
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review "Best Colleges" lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.