20 Best Online Colleges That Are Accredited

September 11, 2023

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20 Best Online Colleges that are Accredited

Many online schools claim to be accredited, but they are not, which can result in students paying tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars only to discover that their degree is worthless! To avoid this scam, be sure you are looking at the best online colleges that are accredited.

If you are interested in obtaining an online degree, it can be difficult to find a school that is accredited. This article is here to help; it will highlight 20 best online colleges that are accredited, along with resources you can use to find out if a school is accredited or not.

Table of Contents

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a process by which colleges, universities, and other educational institutions can demonstrate that they meet certain standards of quality. It’s a process that evaluates whether an institution is providing high-quality education and training.

Accreditation is voluntary and not required by law, but many educational institutions choose to participate in it because it can help them attract more students, expand their programs, receive federal or state funding, and improve their reputation.

The majority of colleges and universities in the United States are accredited by a regional agency; this is known as institutional accreditation.

Accrediting bodies can also accredit individual programs, a process known as programmatic accreditation. Remember that just because a program is accredited does not imply that the school is, and vice versa.

How to Find out if an Online School is Accredited

Online education has been gaining in popularity, but you should always do your due diligence before spending your money on any educational program.

If you don’t want to lose hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on an unaccredited course, check out these steps on how to find out if an online school is accredited.

1) Check with your State’s Department of Education

Your first stop should be the Department of Education in your state. Type in the name of your state and the words Department of Education into your browser, and the link will show up on the results. They will have a list of accredited schools on their website.

For example, the list of accredited colleges and universities in Pennsylvania can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s website.

The website may or may not list your school, in which case you will need to contact the school directly.

2) Check the School’s Website

The most important step in this process is finding the accreditation information for the school. On each school’s website, you should be able to find a list of their accreditations and degrees offered.

Review the school’s website to find out whether accreditation is mentioned. Next, check out their FAQ section or About page.

If there is no mention of accreditation there, then chances are they’re not accredited by any major organizations—but we’d still recommend, contacting the school directly to inquire about their accreditation status.

3) Check the Accreditation Agency’s Website

Even if a school’s website states that it is accredited, you should check the accreditation agency’s website to confirm.

An unethical school could lie about its accreditation status and put whatever it wants on its website, so it is advisable to check the accreditation agency’s website.

Note: An accreditation agency that is not recognized by a State Department of Education is not useful. The State’s Department of Education must recognize an accreditation agency before it can accredit a university. For example, in the US, accreditation agencies are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education accreditation.

Why Do You Need An Accredited Degree?

The question of “why do you need an accredited degree?” is a common one. Chances are, if you took the time to read this article, you already know the answer. But just in case you’re still wondering, here’s why.

High quality – Accredited degrees ensure that students meet minimum standards of quality in education and training in their field.
Transfer credits – An accredited program lets you transfer your credits to other institutions if you decide to continue your education at another college or university.
Gain recognition – You want a degree that is going to be recognized by the best employers and top colleges. Employers may prefer or require accredited degrees.
Financial Assistance – An accredited program makes you eligible to receive state or federal financial aid, including scholarships, grants, and loans.
Certification – An accredited degree makes you eligible to sit for certification exams.
Funding – Accreditation helps an educational institution to receive any federal or state funding to help support the school.
Accreditation ensures that a school meets specific standards of institutional quality