Explore the data / Sources / Federal accreditation data What are the federal accreditation listings? The U.S. Department of Education lists accreditation information for colleges and programs. The listings include agencies, locations, dates, and reported status.
Full name Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
Published by Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), U.S. Department of Education
Edition in EduInsights August 1, 2026
Current availability Used in the current EduInsights data release. Why it matters
Why we use Federal accreditation data This source shows which agencies accredit a college or program and what status they reported.
Who did the accrediting The federal file names the accrediting agency and the status it reported.
What the dates stand for A date can mark the start, a review, an agency action, or the end. Those events are not interchangeable.
What the accreditation covers Some entries cover the entire college. Others cover one program, such as nursing or law.
Good to know
What to keep in mind
College accreditation does not cover every program A college can be accredited while a program lacks the specialized approval required in its profession.
The dates are not interchangeable A review date is not an end date. Read the event label before drawing a conclusion.
Check the live listing before you act Our copy is dated. Confirm today's status with the accrediting agency or the federal search page. On its own
Questions this source can answer by itself These questions need no facts from another source.
Which agencies accredit a college? What accreditation status was reported on a given date? Which program accreditations are listed for a college? With other sources
Questions this source helps answer We use another source only when it describes the same college, field, career, place, or time.
Does a reported program also have a listed program accreditation? Which comparable colleges share an accrediting agency? Where it stops
What this source cannot tell you The information is dated and is not a live status check. Program names do not connect directly to federal field codes. Accreditation does not measure program quality or student outcomes. Use this source in a real question. Ask about a college, field, career, place, or change over time.
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