Regionally Vs Nationally Accredited Schools: What's the Difference?

Attending an accredited school is crucial for students seeking quality education. Accreditation provides assurance that an educational institution has met valid standards.

It helps students, employers, and other stakeholders understand the educational quality of a school.

When considering colleges or universities, it's important to understand the difference between regional and national accreditation.

In this blog, we'll discuss the key differences between regional and national accreditation, including the process, advantages, disadvantages, and examples of each.

What Is Accreditation?

Accreditation is the process of evaluating an educational institution to ensure it meets established standards.

While the federal government does not accredit individual schools, it recognizes accrediting agencies and accredited schools.

Nonprofit organizations like the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) can provide institutional accreditation. These agencies evaluate the overall quality and effectiveness of the institution.

Attending an accredited school is essential for students who wish to obtain federal loans and grants or who work for a private company that decides to offer tuition credits to enrolled employees.

How Is a School Accredited?

While the federal government doesn't complete accreditation, this process is conducted by independent groups recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE).

Apart from CHEA, there are other recognized accrediting agencies responsible for school accreditation:

• Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

These agencies assess the quality and integrity of schools, ensuring they maintain educational standards.

Regionally Accredited Colleges

Regional accreditation is the most common and widely recognized form of accreditation in the United States. It's granted to educational institutions by one of the regional accrediting agencies mentioned earlier.

Regionally accredited schools typically focus on a specific geographic area and offer a wide range of programs and degrees.

Examples of regionally accredited colleges include:

• Harvard University (NECHE)
• University of California, Berkeley (WSCUC)
• University of Chicago (HLC)

How Are Schools Accredited Regionally?

To obtain regional accreditation, colleges and universities must undergo a comprehensive evaluation process.

This evaluation assesses various aspects of the institution, including curriculum, faculty qualifications, student services, facilities, and resources.

Regional accreditation emphasizes a broad-based education and transferability of credits between institutions. It's usually granted to nonprofit, degree-granting institutions.

Pros of Regional Accreditation

Regional accreditation offers several advantages. First, it ensures that the institution meets high academic standards and offers quality education.

Regionally accredited degrees are generally more widely accepted and recognized by other educational institutions and employers.

Additionally, these colleges often have robust student support services, including career counseling and academic advising, that provide a well-rounded learning experience.

Cons of Regional Accreditation

One potential disadvantage of attending a regionally accredited school is that credit transfer between institutions with different accreditation types can be more challenging.

If you earned credits at a nationally accredited college or one that is not accredited, you probably will not be able to transfer those credits to a regionally accredited college.

Furthermore, regional accreditation tends to be more expensive compared to national accreditation.

Nationally Accredited Colleges

Nationally accredited colleges are typically for-profit institutions that offer career-focused programs, vocational training, and specialized degrees.

They are accredited by national accrediting agencies recognized by the DOE. National accreditation is often specific to a particular field of study and is less common than regional accreditation.

Examples of nationally accredited colleges include:

• DeVry University (Higher Learning Commission)
• Capella University (Higher Learning Commission)
• The Art Institutes (Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools)

How Are Schools Accredited Nationally?

National accreditation involves a thorough evaluation of a school's programs, faculty qualifications, resources, and educational outcomes.

These accrediting agencies focus on specific professional or vocational disciplines. National accreditation is more commonly found in trade schools, technical colleges, and online institutions.

Pros of National Accreditation

Nationally accredited schools often provide specialized programs and training tailored to specific industries or careers.

These institutions may offer more flexible scheduling options, including online courses, making education accessible to working professionals.

National accreditation can be beneficial for students seeking career-specific skills and qualifications.

Cons of National Accreditation

One drawback of attending a nationally accredited school is that credits may not transfer easily to regionally accredited institutions.

Additionally, some employers and graduate schools may prioritize regionally accredited degrees since they meet broader educational standards.

Nationally accredited schools may also have limited institutional resources and support services compared to their regional counterparts.

Learn More About Accredited Colleges

Choosing between regionally and nationally accredited colleges is an important decision for prospective students.

Ultimately, it's crucial for students to consider their educational goals, career aspirations, and credit transfer needs when deciding which accreditation type aligns best with their needs.