Resources for understanding college accreditation

I'd like to know more about how the accreditation process for colleges works. How does a school earn accreditation, and how important is it for me to consider this when choosing a college to attend?

Accreditation is a form of quality assurance recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. It involves an independent evaluation done by an accreditation agency, which assesses whether a school or program meets certain standards of educational performance.

One aspect of accreditation that's crucial to consider is the difference between regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditation is considered the most prestigious and recognized form of accreditation. It's typically given to traditional, academically-oriented not-for-profit public and private institutions.

National accreditation, on the other hand, is often awarded to vocational, career, or trade-focused schools and colleges, usually for-profit institutions.

Importantly, accreditation can impact a student's ability to transfer credits between institutions. Typically, nationally accredited institutions will accept credit from both regionally and nationally accredited schools, while regionally accredited institutions may not accept credit from nationally accredited schools.

Accreditation status also affects a student’s eligibility for federal financial aid: schools must be accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency for their students to receive federal loans, grants, or work-study funds.

So yes, accreditation is an essential factor to consider when choosing a college. Without accreditation, a degree can be worth much less in the job market, and it might be more challenging to transfer credits or gain eligibility for federal financial aid.

You can check an institution's accreditation status by using the U.S. Department of Education's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. Be wary of diploma mills, which might claim to have accreditation when in reality they don't, or they may be accredited by an agency not officially recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Keep in mind, while accreditation is key, it's also important to take other factors into account when choosing a college, such as the strength of the specific program you're interested in, the available resources, financial aid, location, size, and cultural fit.

Enjoy your college search journey!