Students often hear that regional accreditation is better than national accreditation. The terms are outdated. In 2020 the U.S. Department of Education stopped using the regional and national labels in its own business and now refers to both groups as institutional accreditors.
The change came from a final rule issued in November 2019 that took effect July 1, 2020. It removed geographic limits on accrediting agencies and the old distinction between the two types. An agency recognized by the department can accredit schools across the country, whatever its historical label.
What still matters is whether the accreditor is recognized by the Department of Education or by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Recognition affects financial aid eligibility, how easily credits transfer, and how employers view the degree. Credit transfer is never automatic. The receiving school decides which credits it accepts.
Check a school’s current status on the accreditor’s own website before you apply. Read whether IACBE accreditation is good for universities, opportunities with accredited online degrees, and financial aid tips. StraighterLine also offers low-cost courses that can transfer for credit at participating schools.
