College accreditation is a voluntary, independent review in which an outside body examines how a college is governed and funded, how it teaches and assesses its students, and how it supports them. A college that completes the review receives a certificate and a public listing, and its students, employers and partners gain a way to check that the college has been examined by someone other than itself.
The word “college” covers very different institutions around the world: liberal arts colleges, technical colleges, teacher training colleges, career colleges and community colleges. The European Association for Higher Education Advancement (EAHEA) reviews them under the same institutional services, Full Accreditation for colleges that teach by traditional methods and Online Accreditation for those that teach online. This guide explains what accreditation is for a college, what it covers and why it matters.
The Definition in Plain Words
Accreditation answers one question: has an independent body looked at this college and found that it meets published standards of quality? It is a peer review, which means that the reviewers apply the knowledge of the education field and not the interests of a regulator or a seller. It is voluntary, so the college chooses to be reviewed. It is comprehensive, because it covers the whole institution and not a single activity. And it is objective, because every standard is graded on evidence against a published scale.
What the Review Covers
Institutional accreditation by EAHEA looks at five areas of the college as a whole:
- Administration and organization: ownership, governance, management and decision making.
- Finances: responsible financial management and the resources to finish what students have begun.
- The educational system: programs, learning outcomes, teaching, assessment and the qualifications of staff.
- Student services: admissions, advising, complaints and support.
- Alumni services: contact with graduates and use of their experience.
Each standard is graded from 0 to 4. The Secretariat reviews the application and its attachments, the Accrediting Commission examines the results, and the President endorses the final grades. See the accreditation process, which applies to colleges in the same way as to universities.
Why It Matters
For Students and Families
Students often choose a college without being able to visit it. Accreditation gives them a signal they can check in the public Accredited Institutions directory. Some students seeking grants and loans from governments or associations find that funders prefer accredited providers, although each funder sets its own rules.
For Employers
Employers who fund tuition or evaluate credentials look for evidence that a qualification comes from a college that has been reviewed. Graduates of accredited institutions may also request a Degree Validation certificate, which gives employers one more way to confirm a qualification.
For the College Itself
The self-assessment that accreditation requires helps a college improve its processes before reviewers see them. The listing, the certificate and the seal support recruitment and partnerships, and the annual renewal keeps quality routines alive. See why universities seek international accreditation, which lists reasons that apply equally to colleges.
Choosing the Right Type
| Service | Best For |
|---|---|
| Full Accreditation | A college that teaches on campus and wants a review of the whole institution |
| Online Accreditation | A college that teaches mostly or entirely online |
| Program Accreditation | A college that wants a review of one degree program of more than 300 clock hours |
| Course Accreditation | A college that wants a review of one course of fewer than 300 clock hours |
Many colleges start with a program because it is a smaller review. See why colleges often choose program accreditation first.
What It Does Not Do
- It is not a government license. EAHEA accreditation is not intended to substitute legal authorization, recognition or regulation under local law.
- It does not authorize a college to award a degree. EAHEA does not award titles or degrees and does not authorize diplomas or employment.
- It is not a license to practice a profession.
- It does not guarantee admission, credit transfer, visas or jobs. Decisions on these are made only by the institutions, authorities and employers concerned.
- Institutional accreditation does not cover individual degrees, programs or courses.
Who Can Apply
A college can apply if it is a formal or distance learning establishment that offers certificates, diplomas or degrees, has operated continuously and successfully for at least one consecutive year with at least one graduating class, has been under the same ownership or control for at least one year and has a record of responsible financial management of at least one year. A newly established college may apply with a goodwill letter, which EAHEA considers at its discretion. The full text is on the eligibility page.
Where to Go Next
A college that wants to prepare should start with the college accreditation checklist and the guide for small colleges preparing for a first review. Students who are checking a college can read what students should check. Fees follow the World Bank country income classification and are listed on the Service Fees page. When you are ready, apply online or contact the Secretariat. The page on accreditation for colleges, schools and corporations gives a short overview.
Services This Guide Covers
Frequently Asked Questions
A voluntary, independent peer review of a college’s administration, finances, educational system and student and alumni services, graded against published standards. A college that completes it receives a certificate and a public listing.
It gives students, employers and partners an independent and checkable signal of quality, and it helps the college improve its own processes through the self-assessment and review.
No. It is a voluntary, non-governmental review and is not intended to replace legal authorization, recognition or regulation under local law.
Full Accreditation for colleges that teach on campus, Online Accreditation for colleges that teach online, and Program or Course Accreditation for individual programs or courses.
No. Credit transfer is decided by the receiving institution under its own policy.
Yes, with a goodwill letter if it does not yet meet the one-year conditions. EAHEA decides at its discretion whether to accept the application on that basis.