Why Accreditation Matters for Online Degrees
Accreditation is the single most important factor when evaluating an online degree. Getting it wrong can mean your degree is not recognised by employers, graduate schools, or state licensing boards.
Regional vs. national accreditation
| Aspect | Regional Accreditation | National Accreditation |
|---|---|---|
| Employer acceptance | Widely accepted by most employers | Often questioned, especially for white-collar roles |
| Credit transfer | Transfers freely between regionally accredited schools | Credits often not accepted by regionally accredited schools |
| Graduate school admission | Accepted by virtually all graduate programs | Many graduate programs do not accept nationally accredited bachelor's degrees |
| FAFSA eligibility | Yes | Some schools, but check Title IV status individually |
| Professional licensure | Generally accepted for state licensure | Some states do not accept nationally accredited degrees |
| Quality standards | Rigorous peer review, faculty credentials checked | Variable, lower average standards |
Bottom line: Only consider regionally accredited institutions for any degree you plan to use professionally or for further study.
The 6 regional accrediting bodies
HLC - Higher Learning Commission
SACSCOC - Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
MSCHE - Middle States Commission on Higher Education
NECHE - New England Commission of Higher Education
NWCCU - Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
WSCUC - WASC Senior College and University Commission
How to verify accreditation in 3 steps
Find the claimed accreditor
Every legitimate school lists its accrediting body prominently on its website, usually in the footer or an About / Accreditation page. Note the name of the accreditor.
Look it up directly
Go to the accreditor's official website and use their directory search to confirm the school is listed with active accreditation. Do not rely on the school's own statement alone.
Cross-check with College Scorecard
Search for the school at collegescorecard.ed.gov. Only Title IV-eligible, accredited institutions appear here. You can also see graduation rates, median salaries, and student debt levels.
Red flags to watch out for
- !The school claims to be 'nationally accredited' but you cannot find it in any regional accreditor's database
- !The accreditation is from a body you have never heard of or cannot independently verify
- !The school charges per-month fees rather than per-credit-hour (common with diploma mills)
- !Degrees are awarded based on 'life experience' with little or no coursework
- !The school's website has no physical address, no faculty bios, and no contact phone number
- !The school aggressively promotes how quickly you can earn the degree