Find out why it is important for a university to be accredited in the United States, how to verify that an institution has accreditation, and the process for obtaining it.
Choosing the right college or university can be a complex process. If you want the best education possible but don't know how you can be sure you're choosing a legitimate, high-quality university, you should consider accreditation. This is a key factor in evaluating which university is right for you. Learn what accreditation means in the United States (US), why it's important for a university or college to be accredited, and how to confirm whether the institution actually has accreditation.
What is an accredited university?
This is a higher education institution that has been evaluated and certified by an independent body, which verifies that it meets high quality standards in its educational processes. Accreditation is a recognition of the academic excellence of an institution , and means that it offers quality education, is transparent and trustworthy.
Students from accredited universities are more likely to graduate on time and with good grades, and are more highly valued by employers, giving them better chances of landing a good job. A university's accreditation may be recognized in other countries, which can make it easier to access study or work opportunities abroad.
Accredited Universities in the United States: What Does It Mean?
Accreditation is a rigorous evaluation process that an institution undergoes to demonstrate that it meets certain standards of academic quality . In this case, accreditation is carried out by independent accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. government and can be granted if an institution offers courses online, on campus, or in a hybrid manner. There are two types of accreditation that can be obtained, national accreditation and regional accreditation.
National accreditation. Typically awarded to vocational colleges, technical or trade schools, and for-profit institutions, national accreditation is based on meeting educational quality criteria, including curriculum, faculty, resources, and student outcomes.
Regional Accreditation: This accreditation is awarded to public, state-run institutions and private, nonprofit institutions. This accreditation is generally considered the most prestigious level, as the quality standards and admission criteria are more rigorous. This is the accreditation held by Southern New Hampshire University .
Programmatic or “specialized” accreditation. This relates to specific programs at an institution. This level is awarded by accrediting agencies for specific disciplines to ensure quality programs that meet national standards. For example, SNHU’s business courses are accredited by the American Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
How is a university accredited in the United States?
There are six agencies that can grant regional accreditation in the United States. All are recognized and overseen by two government agencies: the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), a nonprofit organization.
These six accrediting bodies work primarily with universities and colleges based in specific regions of the United States, as follows:
New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Middle States Commission on Higher cpa email database Education (MSCHE). Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Northwest Commission on College and Universities (NWCCU). Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). California, Hawaii and related territories.
What is the benefit of being SNHU accredited?
For U.S. students, accreditation is critical as they must attend an accredited institution in order to receive student financial aid from the Department of Education. While for online students residing outside the United States, accreditation is critical for the following reasons:
Quality and Oversight. The accredited institution meets high standards of academic quality and student experience. Accreditation may be re-evaluated and revoked if the institution fails to meet the standards of its accrediting body.
Transfer of Credits. If a student chooses to transfer to another U.S. institution, it is much easier to equate academic credits from one regionally accredited institution to another.
Employment. During the selection process, employers often conduct background checks and look at credentials. A degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution may be considered more respectable and prestigious. It signals to potential employers that you have a quality education.
How do I know if my university is accredited in the United States?
It's important to confirm that a college or university is actually accredited before making a decision to enroll. The USDOE maintains The Database of Postsecondary Institutions and Programs that allows you to search for the institution and confirm whether it is regionally or nationally accredited. You can search by the name of the college, the state it's in, or the type of institution.
It is also possible to confirm accreditation by searching for the name of the university on the CHEA website . A list of all recognized accreditation agencies is available on this website, as well as a compendium of the institutions that are accredited by each agency.
Earn an online degree from regionally accredited SNHU in the U.S.
Because Southern New Hampshire University is regionally accredited by NECHE, through the US Department of Education & Council for Higher Education Accreditation , you can have peace of mind and confidence knowing that an online degree from SNHU meets all of the high standards of quality education and student experience required in the United States. Consequently, you can confidently access any of the 100% online and Spanish-language programs offered by SNHU, through its certificates , bachelor's and master's degrees .