What Is Regional Accreditation?
Accreditation validates a school or program’s academic quality and financial stability. Attending an accredited school often helps students ensure they qualify for financial aid, industry certification, and employability after graduation.
Traditionally, U.S. accreditors fall into one of three categories: regional, national, or programmatic. However, the Department of Education (ED) recently stopped classifying regional and national accrediting agencies differently and considers them both institutional accreditors today.
However, the agencies historically designated as regional still offer the most broad-based and sought-after accreditation. When people inquire about a college’s accreditation, they often mean to ask if it’s regionally accredited.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Regional Accreditation: Quick Facts
- The U.S. has seven regional accreditors, six of which are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
- Schools complete an internal review and an external review before receiving candidacy status. Agencies must evaluate candidates for accreditation within four years of candidacy.
- Federal financial aid may only be awarded to students at accredited institutions.
- In 2020, ED eliminated the distinction between regional and national accreditors, unifying them as institutional accreditors.
- Regional accreditation is still widely considered the gold standard. Many schools prefer to see regional accreditation when evaluating transfer credits and graduate school applications.
What Does “Regionally Accredited” Mean?
Regional accreditation is when a recognized accrediting agency assesses a college or university’s overall academic quality. Regional accreditors evaluate a school’s curriculum, graduation and retention rates, and faculty credentials.
A regionally accredited school has met high standards for quality and ensures that students receive a solid education.
Unlike programmatic accreditation, which is for individual academic programs or departments within an institution, regional accreditation applies to entire schools.
Historically, the U.S. has had seven regional accreditors:
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Regional accreditors must be recognized by ED. They may voluntarily pursue recognition by CHEA.
Of the seven accreditors, MSCHE is the only one not currently recognized by CHEA.
How Schools Become Regionally Accredited
A school seeking accreditation begins by sending representatives to a pre-applicant workshop to learn about accreditation standards and procedures. They can then complete an application, which usually takes several months.
If a school’s application is in order and the institution meets accreditation standards, the accrediting association arranges a candidacy visit. The committee that conducts the visit presents its report to the association board, which votes to grant or deny candidacy status.
Following candidacy, the board must conduct another on-site review of the school and vote on the accreditation committee’s report within 48 months. Initial accreditation is good for five years.
Let’s say a college in Georgia wanted to pursue regional accreditation. It would first contact SACSCOC. College leaders would then attend the pre-applicant workshop and submit the application and appropriate fees.
SACSCOC’s committee would conduct a candidacy visit and submit their recommendations to the association’s board, which would conduct additional reviews and vote on accreditation. The entire process from application to accreditation can take four years — or even longer.
What’s the Difference Between Regional and National Accreditation?
Regional accreditation has historically been considered more prestigious than national accreditation. This is because regional accreditation typically entails a more rigorous evaluation process and is more difficult for schools to achieve.
Regionally accredited schools are perceived to have a more selective admissions process.
In the past, regional accreditors were bound to specific U.S. regions (hence the name). As of 2020, however, these accreditors can operate nationally, just like national accreditors.
This means there is no longer a formal distinction between regional and national accreditors — both are now simply known as institutional accreditors.
Still, there are a few major differences between regional and national accreditation:
Regional Accreditation vs. National Accreditation
Regional
- Regional accreditors can choose to operate regionally or nationally.
- Credits earned from regionally accredited schools easily transfer to other regionally accredited schools.
- Most regionally accredited schools are nonprofit public and private institutions.
National
- National accreditors can operate anywhere in the country.
- Credits might be difficult to transfer to regionally accredited schools.
- Nationally accredited schools are usually for-profit institutions that focus on religious studies, trades, or vocations.
Accreditation of Popular Online Schools
A school’s status as a for-profit or nonprofit is unrelated to its accreditation. For-profit schools expect to turn a profit for their shareholders, while nonprofit schools reinvest their profits into their mission. Institutional accreditors can approve both types of schools.
Compare the accreditation of popular nonprofit and for-profit online colleges below.
Regionally Accredited
Nonprofit:
- Western Governors University
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Purdue University Global
- National University
- Arizona State University
- University of Maryland Global Campus
For-profit:
- American Military University
- University of Phoenix
- Capella University
- Post University
Nationally Accredited
Nonprofit:
- University of the People
- Remington College
- Pacific States University
- North American University
For-profit:
- Penn Foster College
- Ashworth College
- American National University
- Full Sail University
- California Coast University
- Pima Medical Institute
List of Regional Accreditation Agencies
The following map shows the general regions in which regional accreditors operate. While geographical restrictions no longer apply, regional accreditors still do most of their accrediting in those areas.
A detailed list of regional accreditors follows below.
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges 
Areas historically served: American Samoa, California, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau
ACCJC is the only regional U.S. accrediting agency to exclusively recognize two-year colleges.
Accreditation criteria focuses on a school’s ability to create and fulfill its mission statement. Requirements also emphasize the general integrity of the school, from its financial office to its academics. Online programs must be substantially equivalent to on-campus programs.
Higher Learning Commission
Areas historically served: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
HLC, which historically served the central U.S., focuses on an accredited school’s commitment to continued improvement. Additionally, the institution must be able to demonstrate dedication to equality, diversity, and the public good.
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Areas historically served: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
MSCHE’s criteria for accreditation emphasizes financial and operational transparency, meaning an institution must release information to the public about how it functions.
In order to be considered for MSCHE accreditation, schools must provide rigorous curricula for all students, regardless of the field or program type. Instructors must also be held to a high standard, and students should have resources for professional development.
New England Commission of Higher Education
Areas historically served: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
NECHE is led by around 30 people who are elected by member institutions in three-year terms. The organization’s accreditation standards focus on a prospective school’s ability to fulfill its stated purpose or mission.
Typically, the Commission decides to grant or deny accreditation after five years of candidacy. All standards must be met in some shape or form for an institution to become accredited.
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Areas historically served: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington
NWCCU’s criteria for accreditation strongly emphasizes peer review and comparison. This means the organization actively compares prospective schools with fully accredited schools in order to decide whether the new school qualifies for accreditation.
NWCCU also judges institutions on their mission statements and core values. It looks at how effectively schools achieve these goals in the classroom, on campus, and in their communities.
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Areas historically served: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
SACSCOC’s standards for accreditation focus on integrity, administrative processes, and academic success. Member schools must constantly work to improve their programs, services, and student achievement.
SACSCOC maintains strict requirements for accrediting schools with online programs. Most importantly, the Commission requires that schools assure student achievement and satisfaction are equal between on-campus and online courses.
WASC Senior College and University Commission
Areas historically served: American Samoa, California, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau
Many of WSCUC’s standards and core values for accreditation require schools to commit to constantly improving their academic programs and teaching methods.
Additionally, schools should aim to serve the public good through either their graduates or direct involvement in the community.
Does Regional Accreditation Actually Matter?
If you want a traditional undergraduate education, a regionally accredited college or university is likely the best choice for you. These schools are typically more widely recognized and considered more prestigious than their nationally accredited counterparts.
You’ll also have greater eligibility for federal financial aid if you attend a school accredited by an ED-recognized accreditor. You won’t be eligible for federal aid at all if your school is unaccredited.
A regionally accredited school is also a good choice if you plan to transfer schools at some point. Most regionally accredited schools readily accept transfer credits from other regionally accredited institutions.
Finally, graduate schools and employers tend to view regionally accredited schools more favorably because they’re usually more selective in their admissions processes and more focused on academia.
Many graduate schools require you to have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school. If possible, prioritize regionally accredited colleges over nationally accredited schools during your college search, especially if you plan to earn a bachelor’s or graduate degree.
