Accreditation is the main quality signal for online universities. Institutional accreditation means an outside body has reviewed the school’s finances, faculty, and student outcomes. Programmatic accreditation does the same for specific programs, such as business degrees.
Federal data shows education pays off in employment. The National Center for Education Statistics reported that 87 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds with a bachelor’s degree or higher were employed in 2022. That figure covers all degree holders, not any one school.
When checking a school, confirm its accreditation claims directly. The International Accreditation Council for Business Education was founded in 1997 and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. It granted Continents International University candidacy for accreditation in July 2024, with the period running through July 31, 2029. Candidacy is an early step and is not accreditation. The IACBE accreditation guide and review of IACBE accreditation give more background.
Also ask about student support, graduation rates, and total cost. The credibility of online master’s degrees article addresses employer views. For cost questions, see the true cost of a business degree.

