The United States Department of Education, recognizes six organizations as accrediting agencies:
Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - is the recognized regional accrediting body in the eleven U.S. Southern states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia)
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools - The Commission on Higher Education is the unit of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the Middle States region.
New England Association of Schools and Colleges - Founded in 1885, the New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Inc. (NEASC), is the nation’s oldest regional accrediting association whose mission is the establishment and maintenance of high standards for all levels of education, from pre-K to the doctoral level.
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools - The Higher Learning Commission is part of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Association was founded in 1895 as a membership organization for educational institutions. It is committed to developing and maintaining high standards of excellence.
Through its Commissions it accredits, and thereby grants membership to educational institutions in the nineteen-state North Central region.
Northwest Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities - The Commission on Colleges and Universities of the Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation as the regional authority on the quality of institutions of higher education in the seven Northwest states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The Commission is responsible for the evaluation and accreditation of eligible public and private colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher education in the Northwest region.
Western Association of Schools and Colleges - The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is one of six regional associations that accredit public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the United States. The Western region covers institutions in California and Hawaii, the territories of Guam, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, the Pacific Basin, and East Asia, and areas of the Pacific and East Asia where American/International schools or colleges may apply to it for service
