When choosing a university in the US, students often look at academic reputation, campus resources, location, and student life. While these factors are important to review, international students should also check the accreditation of the institutions they are considering, as this can be crucial to choosing the best school for their needs.
Accreditation is the process that confirms a university or college meets rigorous academic and institutional standards. For students, accreditation determines whether:
a degree will be officially recognized worldwide
financial aid is available
visa eligibility requirements are met
With accreditation, a degree carries global recognition and creates pathways for advanced study and meaningful career opportunities.
So, if you’re wondering “what are accredited schools?”, read on. Accreditation, meaning a particular designation in the US education system, helps you ensure your enrollment and graduation leads to a degree that is valued worldwide. This article goes over what accreditation is, why it matters, how to verify if a school is accredited, and the difference between accredited and non-accredited institutions.
What Are Accredited Schools?
An accredited school is a college, university, or institution that an independent accrediting body has reviewed and recognized as meeting established standards of quality. This recognition means the school meets a set of customary standards in areas such as academic programs, teaching staff qualifications, research facilities, student services, and administrative operations.
In short, accredited schools are institutions whose degrees and programs are considered legitimate, widely respected, and eligible for recognition by employers, graduate schools, and professional organizations. In the US, accreditation is voluntary, but most reputable universities seek such a designation because it signals credibility and trustworthiness.
For international students, understanding what is the accreditation of a particular school can be particularly important. Choosing a non-accredited institution may mean your credits will not transfer if you change schools, your degree may not be recognized if you want to advance to a graduate program, and employers may hesitate to accept your qualifications. In some cases, attending a non-accredited school can even prevent you from obtaining or maintaining a student visa.
In the US, there are two main types of accreditation:
Institutional accreditation applies to the entire college or university, ensuring that the institution as a whole meets recognized standards.
Programmatic accreditation applies to specific programs within a school, such as engineering, nursing, business, or law. For example, a university may be institutionally accredited while its engineering program holds additional recognition from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
These distinctions are important to consider because certain professional fields require programmatic accreditation for graduates to obtain licenses or certifications. For example, medical schools, law schools, and teacher education programs often need additional approval from specialized accrediting bodies. Without this extra layer of accreditation, even a degree from an accredited institution may not be enough to qualify graduates for certain careers.
Accreditation is also not permanent, as schools must undergo periodic evaluations to maintain their status. This ensures they continue to meet quality benchmarks and adapt to changes in higher education standards. With this in mind, it is important to regularly check the accreditation of the institutions where you are considering applying, as it is possible that certain schools may not renew their accreditations for certain programs.
Understanding what accreditation means is the first step; the next is recognizing why it matters so much for international students.
Why Is Accreditation Important?
For international students, accreditation can determine the overall value of your educational investment. Accreditation ensures that your degree will be recognized both in the US and abroad. Employers are more likely to accept qualifications from accredited institutions because they trust that graduates have received training that meets rigorous standards. Graduate programs also rely on accreditation when deciding whether to accept applicants from other universities.
Accredited schools also qualify their students for a wide range of financial aid and scholarship programs that non-accredited institutions cannot offer. For many international students, who already balance the expense of tuition with the additional costs of living abroad, these resources can make earning a degree in the US more affordable and achievable.
Accreditation also affects whether your academic credits will be recognized if you change schools or continue your studies elsewhere. When a university is accredited, other accredited institutions are more likely to accept the courses you have already completed if you transfer. This makes transferring to another university or applying to a graduate program much easier. In contrast, credits earned at a non-accredited school are often not accepted elsewhere, which can mean repeating classes, losing time, and paying additional tuition.
Finally, accreditation is closely connected to visa eligibility. To qualify for an F-1 student visa, students must be admitted to a SEVP-certified school, and accreditation is a key part of that certification process. By choosing an accredited university, you can feel confident that your studies in the US are supported by the right approvals, which will help you spend less time on paperwork and be able to focus more on achieving your academic and career goals.
Accreditation ensures that a student’s degree is recognized worldwide, opens access to financial aid, provides flexibility to transfer credits, and safeguards visa status — protecting both the investment and the future of international students. So, how do you ensure a school’s accreditation status?
How to Know if a School Is Accredited
If you are asking yourself, “what is the accreditation process and how can I verify it?”, there are several reliable ways to check whether a university or program is accredited.
The first step is to consult official databases. For example, the U.S. Department of Education maintains a searchable database of accredited institutions. Another excellent resource is the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), a nonprofit organization that recognizes accrediting agencies and provides up-to-date lists of accredited colleges and programs.
Most accredited universities also list their accreditation status on their website, typically in the “About Us” or “Accreditation” sections. If the information is unclear, consider contacting the admissions office directly to request documentation. Accredited schools will always be transparent about their status and provide evidence of their accreditation.
For students entering specialized fields, it is also essential to check for programmatic accreditation. For example, if you plan to study nursing, engineering, or business, make sure the specific program has additional approval from the relevant professional accrediting body. This step is important to ensure eligibility for professional licensure or certification after graduation.
Once you know how to confirm accreditation, the next step is understanding why choosing an accredited institution offers greater security than attending one without accreditation.
Difference Between Accredited and Non-Accredited Colleges
Recognized agencies evaluate accredited colleges and verify that they meet established standards of quality. Degrees from accredited institutions are widely respected, credits can be transferred, and graduates are eligible for financial aid and scholarships. Employers recognize degrees from accredited institutions, which helps graduates secure better job opportunities. International students attending accredited schools are also more likely to meet visa requirements, ensuring a smooth academic experience in the US.
Non-accredited colleges, by contrast, may not meet these quality benchmarks. Employers and/or graduate schools may not recognize degrees from such institutions, which can create barriers to employment or further study. Students at non-accredited colleges may be ineligible for financial aid, and the lack of recognition could even impact visa eligibility. In the worst cases, some non-accredited schools — sometimes called “diploma mills” — offer degrees that hold little to no value.
For international students, studying in the US requires a significant investment of time, effort, and financial resources. Choosing an accredited institution helps ensure that this investment leads to recognized qualifications, transferable credits, and stronger career opportunities. Accreditation, therefore, should be one of the first criteria families consider when evaluating potential universities.
Study at the Best US Universities with Shorelight’s Help
Choosing the right university is a major decision, especially for international students who are moving abroad to study. Shorelight makes this process easier by connecting you with fully accredited US universities that are recognized for their academic quality and student support.
When you apply through Shorelight, you receive personalized admissions guidance, help preparing required documents, and support with your visa application. Once you arrive on campus, Shorelight advisors provide orientation services, academic advising, and access to career resources. Shorelight also helps international students explore scholarship opportunities, making accredited US education more affordable.
By studying at a Shorelight university, you can be confident that you are enrolling in an accredited institution where your degree will hold value worldwide.
Ready to study at a fully accredited US university? Talk to an advisor >
