* The receiving institution: Each college and university has its own policies regarding transfer credits. They may only accept credits from regionally accredited institutions, and they'll assess whether the courses meet their requirements and curriculum. Some institutions are more receptive to transfer credits than others.
* The sending institution: The institution you attended will provide you with an official transcript listing your courses and grades. The format and detail on the transcript are important for the receiving institution's evaluation.
* Course equivalency: The receiving institution will compare your courses to their own courses to determine if there are equivalents. A course in one institution might not have a direct equivalent at another. You might receive credit, but it might not be the exact same course number or credit hours.
* Accreditation: The receiving institution is more likely to accept credits from regionally accredited institutions. Nationally accredited institutions may also be accepted, but it's less certain.
* GPA and grades: While not always a hard and fast rule, your GPA at the previous institution might influence how many credits are accepted.
In short, while transferring credits out of state is possible, it's crucial to contact the admissions office of the college or university you wish to attend *before* transferring to understand their transfer credit policies and to get a preliminary evaluation of your transcript. Don't assume your credits will transfer without verification.