How do I know if a college is nationally accredited?

I know accreditation is important, but how can I find out if a college is nationally accredited? What are the differences between national and regional accreditation, and which one should I prefer?

A college or university's accreditation status can typically be found on their official website. This information is often listed in the About Us, FAQs, or Admissions sections. However, for official, up-to-date information, it's helpful to visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. Here, you can search by college or university name and learn about its accredited status.

In regard to your second question, there's a key difference between national and regional accreditation.

Regional accreditation is considered the "gold standard" in college accreditation. It's typically given to non-profit, degree-granting institutions. This means credits earned from these schools are typically transferable to other regionally accredited institutions. There are six regional accrediting agencies, each covering a different group of U.S. states.

National accreditation is frequently granted to vocational, technical, career-based, or for-profit institutions. Although these institutions are still recognized and accredited, it's important to note that credits earned at nationally accredited schools may not always transfer to regionally accredited ones.

Given these differences, if you plan to continue your education in the future—perhaps through graduate or professional school—or if you're likely to move or switch schools, opting for a regionally accredited school might be advantageous. That said, if you're pursuing a specific vocational or technical program that's nationally accredited, and you don't foresee needing to transfer your credits, a nationally accredited institution may serve your needs well. Always consider your future educational and career goals when making these decisions.