Checking a school’s accreditation

Accreditation means an outside agency has reviewed a school against published standards. It affects federal aid, transferring credits and, in some careers, getting licensed.

Why it matters

Federal aid can only be used at schools that take part in the federal aid programs, and those schools must be accredited by a recognized agency. Credits from an unaccredited school are often refused by other colleges and employers.

What to do

• Look the school up in the federal database
• Confirm the accreditor is recognized
• Check program accreditation for licensed careers

How to check

Search the school in the Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, or in the directory kept by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Make sure the accreditor itself is recognized; diploma mills sometimes invent their own.

A diploma from an unrecognized school can cost as much as a real one and open no doors.

Program accreditation

Some fields, such as nursing, engineering, teaching and law, have a separate accreditor for the program. For jobs that need a state license, check that the specific program meets your state’s licensing board requirements.