Blackburn welcomes transfer students from all over to join the leaders, problem solvers, and creative thinkers who call our school home. We are thrilled that you are considering continuing your path at Blackburn! We look forward to connecting with you and reviewing your application.

A significant portion of the Blackburn community is made up of transfer students just like you, and we value your experience and academic work. As a student, you will have incredible opportunities inside and out of the classroom to begin building the skills necessary for your dream career. Along with our personalized academic approach and innovative work program that can help you jumpstart your future, you will find a supportive community where you will find friends and mentors to help you reach the finish line as soon as possible!

What Makes Blackburn So Unique

When Blackburn College launched in 1837, it established a vision of the ideal student as “intelligent, forward-thinking, and forward-looking.” Today’s Blackburn students are made from the same mold.

Head Start on Your Career

Blackburn College prepares students unlike any other college or university. We offer the only Work Program in the nation managed exclusively by students. Blackburn students are employed on campus, often connected to their field of study, gaining real management and leadership experience while finishing their degree. And students receive a $5,000 tuition credit each year they participate.

This gives you a “head start” with real-world professional development that pays off. There’s a reason Blackburn has a 96% placement rate for graduates over the last five years – with in-demand skills and marketable work experience, our grads enter the workplace at full speed, ready to rise and shine.

More than just a Number

Blackburn provides personalized support in ways that simply cannot happen at another institution. We offer small class sizes – with an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio – and you will discover the incredible benefits of mentor relationships in the classroom or on the job. You will also find a caring community where your professors, staff, coaches, and classmates are invested in your success.

Centrally Located

You get the best of both worlds at Blackburn. Our campus is located in Carlinville, Illinois – full of big skies, nature, and small-town charm – nestled in the heart of the midwest. There are always activities on campus, but if you need to feel some big city vibes, we’re moments from St. Louis or an Amtrak ride away from Chicago.

Everyone Welcome

Blackburn students enjoy vibrant experiences and a supportive campus life. There are countless ways to share your creativity – in our performance spaces, art galleries, and literary publications. We offer 15 NCAA Division III varsity programs and intramural opportunities, too. There are plenty of clubs and activities you can join, or if you like, you can create your own. Student life at Blackburn is as multi-dimensional and diverse as our student population.

Blackburn was the perfect place to complete my degree. Not only was I able to play basketball at the highest level and win conference championships, but I gained incredible leadership experience as a manager in the Work Program.
I transferred as a sophomore, and everyone welcomed me with open arms, and made me feel like I was safe to be myself. The Work Program has been an absolute blessing for me. My leadership roles in the work program have brought out a sense of confidence in my abilities that I did not have before my time at Blackburn.

Rewarding Academic Achievement

Blackburn provides substantial financial assistance - $4.9 million in scholarships and grants last year. Merit-based scholarships are awarded automatically based on your GPA and credits earned. Get a preliminary estimate of merit aid you might qualify for with our scholarship calculator.

Scholarship Calculator

Macoupin Promise

Awarded to new transfer students who are graduates of a Macoupin County (IL) high school, meet admission requirements, participate in Blackburn’s Work Program, and have a household income of less than $60,000. Completing your four-year degree tuition-free - that’s the Macoupin Promise.

Macoupin Promise
Admissions Process

Transferring Your Credits

Blackburn accepts coursework from all regionally accredited institutions, including almost all community colleges and four-year colleges and universities. Students may transfer up to 92 semester hours, with the final 30 semester hours for graduation taken at Blackburn. 

  • Send your official college transcript(s) and final high school transcript/GED score
  • Transcripts will be evaluated individually for transferable credit
  • Blackburn does not accept proficiencies earned at other institutions

Begin your free Transfer Application

The Transfer Experience

In addition to seeing our campus in person, you can meet with an Admissions team member with our “Transfer Tuesday” virtual visits that will help make the transition to Blackburn as seamless as possible. Learn about transfer scholarship and grant opportunities, discover the simple and free application process, and explore all the educational opportunities available to you at Blackburn.

Learn more about visits