Regional v. National Accreditation: Why You Should Care
Most students don’t even think to ask whether their school is regionally or nationally accredited, but this can be a huge mistake. Intuitively, you would think that nationally accredited programs provide more than regionally accredited programs; however, this isn’t necessarily the case. Both accreditations have their ups and downs and both are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. So make sure to read this article so you don’t kick yourself later.
Most traditional schools (Big Ten, Pac-10, etc.) are actually regionally, not nationally accredited. This is because regional accrediting agencies started as leagues of traditional colleges, and national accrediting agencies started as associations of institutions that served schools that weren’t originally colleges or universities. One accreditation isn’t necessarily better than the other. It just depends on your situation. The following is a list of questions to ask before you choose:
1) Is there any chance you will transfer your credits?
Nationally accredited schools almost always accept credits from regionally accredited schools, but regionally accredited schools often DO NOT accept credits from nationally accredited schools. This is the most important thing to consider.
2) Are you planning to attend graduate school?
Again, nationally accredited graduate programs almost always accept regionally accredited undergrad degrees, but regionally accredited programs DO NOT always accept nationally accredited undergrad degrees.
3) Are you on a really tight budget?
Some nationally accredited programs are less expensive than regionally accredited programs, and non-accredited programs are sometimes even cheaper.
4) Do you plan to work for a big company?
Most employers would never even think to ask whether your college was regionally or nationally accredited, but they might ask whether it was accredited. I would especially worry about big companies with trained Human Resource professionals. They would be the most likely to ask about it.
5) Are you seeking career advancement or personal enrichment?
If you are just going back to school for fun or to meet the requirements of your current employer, then it might not matter whether the school is accredited at all.
In conclusion, it totally depends on your situation, but if you ask the right questions then you’ll make the right decision and make your life a lot easier.
October 9th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I was lucky enough to find your website through google. I have been searching all day for this information, Thank You.
March 13th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Good information, but I would like to talk about the following information (I’ll cut and paste), I’ll comment between the groupings:
1) Is there any chance you will transfer your credits?
Nationally accredited schools almost always accept credits from regionally accredited schools, but regionally accredited schools often DO NOT accept credits from nationally accredited schools. This is the most important thing to consider.
your sentence, “…, but regionally accredited schools often DO NOT accept credits from nationally accredited schools.” I would be more clear here, because the word “often” allows for-profit schools to twist this ambiguity when misleading potential students into signing a contract to enroll into their college. Therefore, I would like to expand on your use of the term “often.” The only regionally accredited colleges who will accept nationally accredited college credits are for-profit, regionally accredited colleges. The non-profit, regionally accredited colleges (or traditional colleges as you put it) will not accept nationally accredited college credits.
The for-profit industry is making a big push for attaining regional accreditation and they are trying to survive by using a misleading (but accurate statement) when answering questions about transfer of credit. They answer, ” It’s up to the receiving institution.” This is true, but misleading nonetheless, because they are purposely instructing staff members to answer in this fashion.
2) Are you planning to attend graduate school?
Again, nationally accredited graduate programs almost always accept regionally accredited undergrad degrees, but regionally accredited programs DO NOT always accept nationally accredited undergrad degrees.
The same here for my answer above…
3) Are you on a really tight budget?
Some nationally accredited programs are less expensive than regionally accredited programs, and non-accredited programs are sometimes even cheaper.
This is actually the opposite. YOu’ll find that nationally accredited colleges are much more expensive than “traditional” schools due to there is no built-in tax revenue like state schools have. Even private, non-profits get a little tax money (per head). The for-profit industry receives no tax money, but in a way do by being eligible for financial aid (which is taxpayer money) if they attain national or regional accreditation. So they have to pay more and make a profit, i.e. Westwood College (for profit) charges more than $70,000 for a bachelor’s (likely more now)
April 7th, 2010 at 5:17 am
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August 9th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
“This is actually the opposite. YOu’ll find that nationally accredited colleges are much more expensive than “traditional” schools due to there is no built-in tax revenue like state schools have.”
You’re on crack. For-profit schools are nearly always cheaper than non-profit schools. What state school offers $100-$250 per credit hour tuition? Because that’s what many for-profit online schools charge.
Quit misleading people with your obvious bias towards traditional Regional Accredited colleges.
August 16th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
Jeff, perhaps you could give a specific example of how much it would cost someone to attend a for-profit school vs. a not-for-profit school.
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Jeff,
Westwood College: $70k plus (BA)
ITT: $30k (AA degree)
Everrest College: $50k for bachelor’s
We can find many regionally accredited, nonprofit, state colleges/universities that cost much less. These (above) nationally accredited colleges were the first three school I looked up too. Not only that, but these schools were hesitant to post any info on their site, because they rather have you call. They get a trained salesperson to tell you have much the degree is but then skillfully justify it by asking you questions. I know the game Jeff. If an admissions counselor, for a college, continually calls asking if you “want to go to school,” then that is your first indicator that you’re being called by a for-profit school (and most are nationally accredited). There are a few for-profits with regional accreditation, but they are expensive and sometimes not as well recognized by employers.
Jeff, my real concern is the accreditation differences: regional and national. regional will not accept national. i know, i used to be a registrar in a for-profit, nationally accredited college (and I also worked in a non-profit, regionally accredited college (2) as well).
I’ve was a Registrar in a for-profit college for five years. I’ve been to for-profit school conferences. I’ve been behind closed-door meetings when “strategy” was discussed on how to increase enrollment. I’ve seen admission reps come and go because their #’s didn’t meet quotas. I’ve seen it. Trust me. Oh, and I’ve also worked in admissions for a few non-profits universities.
Did I mention the large amounts of reading I’ve done on for profit colleges regarding both regional and national accreditation? Do you know the difference between the two Jeff? Let’s discuss these accreditations groups… please?
Jeff, again – trust me. I know what I’m talking about. I only want to information those individuals who may be considering a college degree. What are your credentials regarding the for-profits?
October 3rd, 2010 at 5:55 pm
I forgot. the average state college (four-year degree) will cost a student below the cost of the three national schools listed above. Check out this site:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/4494.html
October 19th, 2010 at 10:16 am
I am currently an enrolled student at the University of Phoenix, I attend their online campus.
I am currently paying $365 per credit hour, which will turn into an associates degree that I pay around $20,000 for. If I were to take my studies there up to the bachelor’s level, it would be just over $40k for the total expenses.
UoPX is regionally accredited through the Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
I am a wisconsin resident, and I’ve found that the UW Schools and technical schools in my area are much cheaper if you don’t include the wear and tear on your vehicle, cost of gas, possibly eating out, living in a dorm, et cetera.
There is no way around the fact that college is expensive and time consuming, you just have to decide how expensive and time consuming you want it to be.
October 21st, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Scott,
I work for a for a regionally accredited for-profit university. I can assure you there are no numbers, no quotas, no sales involved at all, WHATSOEVER!! You must have worked for a for-profit along time ago, or for a Univesity that did not put the students best interest first.
I also graduated from a state University. You are correct, if you graduate in 4 years, it is cheaper. However, it is so difficult to graduate in 4 years at a state University in California. Getting classes is extremely difficult. Books are around $800 a semester, parking is aweful, and the average student at my university graduated in 6-8 years. So if you add up all the additional years, the cost is about the same. At least if you go to a for-profit school or anyother private University, you are guranteed your classes and for the same cost you get done earlier and don’t have to deal with all the headache.
For-profit or traditional should be up to what is best for the students lifestyle. If you are a working adult, for-profit non traditional schools are just more condusive to your lifestyle. If you are an 18 year old and want a college experiece then a traditonal college is better suiting. Niether is better than the other. They fall under the same regional accredidation therefore it should all depend on what is in the best interest of the student.
On a side not most employers do not look at nationally accredidted Universities as something of value. I would thuroughly research the University and the company or field in which you are trying to enter and find out what is prefered.
Scott, you are a hater to the extreme!! you are bery biased. Education is important. The student should be encouraged to get their education regardless of the tactics of a particular university. Dont let one bad school spoil the reputation of others. Every University that I have come in contact with is only concerened, and should only be concerened with the best interest of the student.
December 16th, 2010 at 2:00 am
Kelly,
I worked for the for-profit from 2003 to 2007… not that long ago. Hater? Maybe you’re correct. I hate to see students being taken advantage of.
If you haven’t seen the sales going on in your admissions dept, then you may also be unaware of the water you’re swimming in. Tell me, what’s your job title and in what department do you work? Are you at U of Phoenix or Walden U? You sound like you’re not too familiar with accreditation. Trust me, it’s tricky and this is how many for-profits work around it and mislead students.
There are businesses out there who will not accept a University of Phoenix, etc. degree due to not having specialized accreditations, specialized programmatic accreditations that are over and above regional accreditation. Some examples of these are AACSB for business, ABET for Technology and Engineering, APA for psychology programs etc. For-profit, online schools usually won’t have these types of accreditations. Many state schools will have these accreditations.
I called University of Phoenix for fun one day just to see the latest in their sales techniques… they tried to tell me that they issue teacher certifications for any state. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I only wish I could have legally recorded the conversation. BTW… only non-profit, traditional colleges (regionally accredited) are granted authority by a state to run a teacher cert program.
- scott
May 23rd, 2011 at 6:47 pm
This is a good article but it does have a few flaws. I’ve worked in the “For-Profit” industry and I must say that Scott Carolan is right on the money!