Accreditation for US Colleges and Universities

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Accreditation Standards for US Universities Explained
Accreditation is the main quality check for US colleges and universities. Independent agencies review schools against published standards covering teaching, student support, finances, and outcomes.

Accreditation is the main quality check for US colleges and universities. Independent agencies review schools against published standards covering teaching, student support, finances, and outcomes. Schools that pass earn accredited status.

Legitimate accreditors are recognized by the US Department of Education, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or both. This recognition matters because it is the backstop against fake accreditors. Students can verify a school’s status in public databases, including the CHEA database of accredited institutions and programs.

Accreditation affects students in concrete ways. Most federal grants and loans require enrollment at an accredited school. Credits transfer more easily between accredited schools. Employers and graduate schools also treat accredited degrees as the real thing.

There are two main types. Institutional accreditation covers the whole school. Programmatic accreditation covers a specific program, such as business, nursing, or engineering. A school can hold one or both.

Before you apply anywhere, check the school’s accreditation and name the agency behind it. For business programs, you may also want to read what IACBE accreditation is and why it matters and understanding IACBE accreditation. For background on why it all matters, see why accreditation matters.

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