When it comes to marketing to transfer students, most institutions are missing the mark. Despite being a high-yield, strategically important segment, transfer students — along with adult learners and stop-outs — are often treated as invisible.
In this episode of the DegreeSight Podcast, we dive deep into why traditional marketing efforts fall short, and how colleges can reframe their approach to meet these students where they are.
Featuring Ryan Morabito, Marketing Strategist at 5° Branding
In this episode of TransferTALK, Jay sits down with Ryan Morabito, Senior Advisor and Strategist at 5° Branding. Known for his viral Marketing Truth posts on LinkedIn that end with “This is the Way,” Ryan is a marketing leader in the higher ed space.
He brings a unique perspective to the conversation — blending strategic insight with creative edge — to explore how institutions can better engage what he calls an “invisible audience” of transfer students, adult learners, and dormant degree seekers.
These prospective students — more than 40 million strong — often have previous college credit but haven’t yet reconnected with higher ed. Jay and Ryan unpack Ryan’s “Ten Truths of Marketing” to offer real-world strategies for identifying, recruiting, and serving this overlooked but essential group.
Why Transfer Students Get Overlooked in Marketing
Unlike traditional freshmen, transfer students don’t fit into neat cycles or predictable demographics.
They come with prior credits, life responsibilities, and urgent motivations to finish what they started. Yet institutional messaging often ignores these realities.
This results in a communications gap — where marketing efforts fail to resonate and opportunities are lost.
Marketing to Transfer Students Requires a Shift
Reaching transfer students requires more than generic digital campaigns or “apply now” CTAs.
It demands personalization, flexibility, and above all, recognition that these learners are active decision-makers.
By embracing a student-first approach that includes credit evaluation transparency, support systems, and targeted messaging, institutions can significantly increase engagement and enrollment yield.
How DegreeSight Supports Transfer-Centered Marketing
At DegreeSight, we help institutions move beyond surface-level strategies.
Our Inbound platform captures and converts anonymous site visitors into real prospects using guided credit evaluation workflows and intent-based forms.
Combined with our consulting services, we work with marketing and admissions teams to build funnels specifically designed for adult learners, transfer students, and dormant degree completers.
Transfer students aren’t unreachable — they’re underserved. With the right tools, language, and mindset, colleges and universities can reframe their enrollment strategy to elevate this critical audience.
Tune into this episode with Ryan Morabito to explore how creativity, data, and human-centered marketing can unlock the potential of transfer-focused recruitment.
