Accredited & Non-Accredited Degrees: What's the Difference?

Choosing a college degree is a major investment, and accreditation plays an important role in determining its value. If you’re comparing accredited programs with non-accredited options, you may be wondering how much that distinction really matters. Understanding the differences can help you make a more informed decision about credit transfer, financial aid eligibility, career opportunities, and long-term academic plans.

What Is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter?

Accreditation is a review process that evaluates whether a college or program meets recognized academic standards. Independent accrediting agencies assess curriculum quality, faculty qualifications, and institutional practices.

Accreditation matters because it affects financial aid eligibility, credit transfer, graduate school admission, and employer recognition. Choosing an accredited program helps ensure your degree will be widely accepted.

What Does 'Accredited College' Mean?

The term 'accredited college' is used to refer to a postsecondary institution that has been approved for meeting certain standards. These standards are set by several organizations that are dedicated to ensuring academic excellence. Different organizations are dedicated to accrediting different things. For example, the American Bar Association (ABA) accredits law schools, while the Liaison Committee on Medical Education accredits medical schools.

Accredited vs Non-Accredited

Not every program or school is accredited. To become accredited, an institution has to meet several standards of excellence set by an accrediting organization. These standards can include academic quality, ethics, integrity, learning experience, and student experience, among others. If a school or program is accredited, it has been vetted for educational excellence and student success. If an individual wants to become an engineer, for example, ABET accreditation can ensure they will learn from a quality engineering program.

When an institution is non-accredited, however, there is no way to verify the quality of their education or their integrity. Because of this, students attending the school aren't eligible for student aid because the federal government only grants funds to accredited institutions. Pursuing a degree from a non-accredited program can be a risk. For example, becoming a child psychologist requires a license and some states won't grant licenses for graduates of non-accredited programs, or the application process can be more difficult for them.

Types of Accreditation

There are 4 major types of accreditation; programmatic, institutional, regional, and national. Programmatic accreditation means a specific program at a college is accredited, while institutional accreditation means the college as a whole is accredited. Regional and national accreditation play a larger role in education and career opportunities.

Regional Accreditation

Regional accreditation usually goes towards more traditional colleges. These institutions are typically public, academic-focused, non-profit colleges and are degree-granting. The term 'regional' is due to the fact that many of the organizations that offer this type of accreditation operate in one geographical area of the country.

National Accreditation

National accreditation usually goes towards career, vocational, or technical schools, including distance learning options. Many national accreditation organizations grant program-specific accreditation instead of or in addition to general institutional accreditation. These institutions are usually career-focused, private, for-profit or faith-based, and grant degrees as well as certificates.

Regional vs National: Does It Matter?

Depending on your education and career goals, attending a nationally or regionally accredited school can make a difference. These institutions generally only accept transfer credits from other schools that have the same type of accreditation. So if you're interested in pursuing a master's degree from a regionally accredited school, but your bachelor's degree is from a nationally accredited school, your credits may not transfer.

State boards operate the same way. If you need a license to work in your desired career, a state board may only grant licenses towards graduates of colleges with certain accreditation. However, schools and states have their own requirements, so it's best to do your research.

How to Find Accredited Programs

Understanding accreditation can be overwhelming. Below are simple bullet points that demonstrate how the accreditation structure works, so you know where to look and what to look for when you do your own research.

• Associations such as the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) review accreditation organizations to ensure they are legitimate
• Accrediting organizations, such as the ABA, review postsecondary institutions and programs to ensure they meet requirements for quality education
• Postsecondary institutions and programs receive the accreditation and should clearly state it

Both CHEA and the USDE have a list of accreditation organizations they recognize on their websites. Accreditation organizations usually have a similar list of institutions and programs that they have accredited. Doing your research ahead of time can save you a lot of future trouble.

FAQs About Accredited and Non-Accredited Degrees

Understanding accreditation can feel confusing, especially when you’re comparing traditional, online, and accelerated programs. The questions below clarify how accreditation works and what it means for your education and career plans.

Are Degrees From Non-Accredited Schools Worth Less?

Degrees from non-accredited schools can create limitations. Credits often do not transfer to accredited institutions, and some employers or licensing boards may not recognize the credential.

While non-accredited schools may offer lower tuition or faster enrollment, the long-term value of the degree may be reduced. It’s important to weigh cost savings against potential career barriers.

Can Accreditation Affect Professional Licensure?

In many regulated professions, accreditation plays a major role. Licensing boards in fields such as nursing, teaching, counseling, and engineering often require that your degree come from an accredited institution or program.

Before enrolling, review your state’s licensure requirements to confirm that your chosen school meets the necessary standards.

Are Accelerated Online Degrees Accredited?

Accelerated online degrees can absolutely be accredited. The speed of a program does not determine whether it meets academic standards. Many accredited colleges offer accelerated formats that use shorter terms or year-round scheduling to help students graduate sooner.

When researching an accelerated program, focus on the institution’s accreditation status rather than the delivery format. As long as the college holds recognized accreditation, the accelerated online degree carries the same academic standing as its traditional counterpart.

How Can I Verify a Program’s Accreditation?

You can verify accreditation through the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation directory. Most colleges also list their accreditation status clearly on their official websites.

Taking a few minutes to confirm accreditation can protect your investment and ensure your degree supports your long-term academic and professional goals.

Are Easy Online Degrees Accredited?

Many programs described as “easy” are offered by accredited colleges. Ease usually refers to format, pacing, or subject area rather than academic quality. Students sometimes explore options like the easiest bachelor’s degree, easiest PhD programs, or other online degrees when looking for flexible paths.

What matters most is the school’s accreditation status, not whether or not the institution is said to have the easiest or hardest college majors. As long as the institution is properly accredited, the degree meets recognized academic standards regardless of how streamlined the format may be.

Find Accredited Online Colleges

Browse the colleges and universities featured on Learn.org to discover accredited, high-quality degree programs for any career path. Contact a school that interests you today for more information on enrollment and admissions.