Accreditation is an independent, external review process that evaluates colleges and universities to ensure they meet established standards of academic quality. In the U.S., accreditors are recognized by the Department of Education as trusted authorities on quality in education.

• Quality Assurance: Confirms that institutions meet accepted academic and professional standards.
• Consumer Protection: Assures students and taxpayers that accredited institutions are financially sound and educationally effective.
• Continuous Improvement: Requires schools to regularly assess and improve their academic offerings and operations.
• Access to Federal Financial Aid: Accreditation is required for institutions to participate in federal student aid programs, including Pell Grants and federal loans.

• Value of a Degree: Accreditation ensures that degrees and credentials are recognized by employers, professional associations, and other higher education institutions.
• Financial Aid Access: Accreditation allows eligible students to access federal and many state financial aid programs.
• Focus on Student Outcomes: Today’s accreditation increasingly emphasizes how well institutions support student completion and post-graduation success, moving beyond inputs like facilities or faculty counts.

The higher education landscape is changing:

• Workforce Needs: Employers expect graduates to have job-ready skills and relevant experience.
• Student Expectations: Students increasingly look for clear returns on their education, including manageable debt levels and strong employment outcomes.
• Public Accountability: Policymakers and the public are focused on performance metrics such as graduation rates, employment outcomes, and financial sustainability.

Accreditation plays a central role in ensuring colleges and universities meet these expectations and adapt to evolving economic and workforce needs.

The WASC Senior College and University Commission’s (WSCUC) Standards of Accreditation focus on outcomes that matter most to students and the public:

• Post-Graduation Success: Institutions must assess graduation rates and post-graduation outcomes, comparing results to peer and national benchmarks.
• Student Outcomes Dashboard: WSCUC’s publicly available Key Indicators Dashboard tracks key performance indicators such as completion rates, retention, student debt, and alumni earnings.
• Support for Innovation: Dedicated pathways support new learning models—including competency-based education and shorter, workforce-aligned programs—while maintaining quality standards.

Results:

WSCUC’s four-year, degree-granting institutions have six-year graduation rates six percentage points above the national average. Students at WSCUC-accredited institutions graduate with 12% less debt than the national average.

Accreditation is about trust, accountability, and ensuring that students receive a valuable education that prepares them for success. As higher education evolves, accreditation provides a consistent framework for evaluating outcomes and supporting innovation that meets the needs of students, employers, and society.