The results of this study determined that community college students who transfer to for-profit institutions are indeed different from students who follow traditional routes defined as public and non-profit institutions. This study compares the demographic characteristics, academic experiences, and socioeconomic factors of California community college students who transfer to private for-profit four-year institutions with those who transfer to public or non-profit higher education institutions. Using logistic regression analysis on data from the largest and most diverse community college system in the world, this study showed that academic experiences have the greatest influence on the decision to enroll at a for-profit institution. Controlling for academic experiences and socioeconomic factors, transfer students who are African American, female, and over the age of 25 are the most likely to enroll at for-profit institutions. Students receiving financial aid at community colleges also have a higher probability of choosing for-profits as their transfer destination. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)