Accreditation ensures that institutions of higher education meet acceptable levels of quality. In the United States accreditation involves non-governmental entities as well as federal and state government agencies. Explore the resources below to understand accreditation and the differences between accredited or unaccredited institutions.
Find information about accreditation and see the latest information from ED about accreditation.
The goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality.
In order to insure a basic level of quality, the practice of accreditation arose in the United States.
The procedures and criteria for recognizing accrediting agencies are contained in Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
Diploma mills are schools that are more interested in taking your money than providing you with a quality education.
Full staff analyses on accreditation.
Find a list of institutional accrediting agencies are recognized as reliable authorities.
Find a list of institutional accrediting agencies are recognized as reliable authorities.
ED recognizes two categories of state approval agencies.
Find accredited schools
Access a database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs as reported to the U.S. Department of Education by accrediting agencies and state approval agencies.