The Process
Verify in four steps
- 1 · Find the claimed accreditorOn the school’s site, find exactly which body it claims accredits it — the name matters. Vague phrases like “fully accredited” with no named accreditor are a warning sign.
- 2 · Check the two databasesSearch the school in the U.S. Department of Education’s database (DAPIP) and the CHEA directory. A legitimately accredited U.S. school appears in one or both.
- 3 · Confirm the accreditor is recognizedMake sure the accreditor itself is recognized by the USDE and/or CHEA. An accreditor that appears nowhere independent is an “accreditation mill.”
- 4 · Check scope and statusConfirm the accreditation covers this campus/program and is current (not “withdrawn,” “probation,” or “former” in a way that matters). For licensure, also confirm the relevant programmatic accreditation.
The Key Test
Recognized by USDE and/or CHEA
The single most important check: is the accreditor recognized? Legitimate U.S. accreditors are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, CHEA, or both. If a school’s “accreditor” cannot be found in the USDE database or the CHEA directory — and only shows up on the school’s own website — the accreditation is meaningless. See USDE vs CHEA recognition.
Abroad
Verifying a foreign school
For a school outside the U.S., the USDE/CHEA databases won’t apply. Use the WHED world database, the ENIC-NARIC network, or the country’s own ministry — see international & country accreditation.
Do It Yourself
The lookups
Go Deeper
Official sources
Questions
Frequently asked questions
- How do I verify a school's accreditation? Find the claimed accreditor, search the school in the USDE database (DAPIP) and CHEA directory, confirm the accreditor is recognized, and check the scope and current status.
- What is the most important check? Whether the accreditor is recognized by the USDE and/or CHEA. An 'accreditor' that appears only on the school's own website is an accreditation mill.
- What are the two databases? The U.S. Department of Education's database (DAPIP) and CHEA's directory of accredited institutions and recognized accreditors.
- How long does verification take? About five minutes for a U.S. school, using the two free databases.
- What if a school names no accreditor? Treat vague 'fully accredited' claims with no named, recognized accreditor as a serious red flag.
- How do I check the accreditation is current? Confirm the status is active (not withdrawn, probation, or a 'former' status that matters) and that it covers the specific campus or program.
- How do I verify a school outside the U.S.? Use the WHED world database, the ENIC-NARIC network, or the country's education ministry — the USDE/CHEA databases cover U.S. schools.
- Do I need to check programmatic accreditation too? For licensure fields, yes — confirm the specific program's accreditation in addition to the school's institutional accreditation.