Online Degree Accreditation: Why It Matters and How to Verify It

Accreditation is the quality assurance system for higher education, and it's the single most important thing to verify before enrolling in any online program. An unaccredited degree - no matter how impressive the school's website looks - may not be accepted by employers, graduate schools, or licensing boards.

Types of Accreditation

Institutional (regional) accreditation: This is the gold standard. Six accrediting agencies (HLC, MSCHE, NECHE, NWCCU, SACSCOC, WASC-WSCUC) evaluate entire institutions. Every school on our recommended list has institutional accreditation. Credits from institutionally accredited schools transfer to other accredited institutions.

National accreditation: A second tier of institutional accreditation, typically for vocational, trade, and faith-based schools. Credits from nationally accredited schools often don't transfer to regionally accredited institutions. National accreditation is not necessarily bad, but understand the limitations.

Programmatic accreditation: Specific programs within a school may have additional accreditation from professional bodies. AACSB for business programs (only 6% of business schools worldwide earn this), ABET for engineering and computer science, CCNE or ACEN for nursing, and CAEP for education programs. Programmatic accreditation matters most for fields with licensing requirements or where employers specifically look for it.

How to Verify Accreditation

Use the Department of Education's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions (DAPIP) at ope.ed.gov/dapip. Search by institution name and verify the accrediting agency is recognized. If the school isn't in this database, or their accrediting body isn't recognized by the Department of Education, the degree may not be accepted by employers or for further education.

Red Flags for Fake Accreditation

Diploma mills (fake schools that sell degrees without real education) often claim accreditation from fabricated agencies. Warning signs include an accrediting body you can't find on the DOE website, a school that promises degrees based on "life experience" with minimal coursework, degrees that can be completed in weeks rather than months or years, aggressive cold-calling or email marketing promising guaranteed employment, and tuition that seems too good to be true with guaranteed easy completion. If something feels off, check the DOE database and trust your instincts.

Why Accreditation Matters for Your Career

Employer acceptance: Most employers require degrees from accredited institutions. HR systems often filter applications based on accreditation. Graduate school: Accredited master's and doctoral programs require bachelor's degrees from accredited institutions for admission. Professional licensing: Teachers, nurses, counselors, and many other professionals must have degrees from accredited programs to obtain state licenses. Financial aid: Federal financial aid (Pell Grants, federal loans) is only available for programs at accredited institutions. Transfer credits: Credits from accredited institutions are accepted at other accredited schools. Without accreditation, your credits are essentially non-transferable.