I’m looking for a fully online university to complete my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. I’m working full-time and have a family, so a traditional campus setting just isn’t feasible right now. It’s really important to me that the school I choose is regionally accredited. I keep reading that national accreditation isn’t as widely recognized, especially if I want to pursue a master’s degree later on.
I’m hoping to find some suggestions for reputable, regionally accredited online universities, ideally those that are known for their business programs. Affordable tuition is a plus, but accreditation is my top priority. Specifically, which universities currently hold regional accreditation in a specific region? I’m also wondering which regional accrediting bodies are considered to be the most prestigious or widely recognized.
Answer
Regionally accredited online universities are institutions whose academic quality and standards have been evaluated and approved by a regional accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This accreditation is significant because it signifies that the university meets certain standards of educational quality, faculty expertise, student support, and institutional stability. It also impacts the transferability of credits and eligibility for federal financial aid.
Here’s a breakdown of regionally accredited online universities organized by the regional accrediting body:
1. New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Geographic Region: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
- Examples of Institutions Offering Online Programs:
- Boston University (Boston, MA): Offers a wide array of online graduate programs, professional certificates, and degrees.
- University of Massachusetts (UMass) System: UMass Online offers numerous online bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as certificate programs across its campuses (Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell, and UMass Global).
- Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) (Manchester, NH): Known for its extensive online programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Northeastern University (Boston, MA): Offers a selection of online master’s degrees and certificate programs.
2. Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Geographic Region: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Examples of Institutions Offering Online Programs:
- Pennsylvania State University (Penn State World Campus) (University Park, PA): Offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate online programs.
- University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) (Adelphi, MD): Specializes in online education for adult learners, offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as certificates.
- Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA): Provides online degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
- Temple University (Philadelphia, PA): Offers various online degree and certificate programs.
3. Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Geographic Region: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
- Examples of Institutions Offering Online Programs:
- Indiana University System: IU Online provides online degree programs and certificates from various IU campuses.
- University of Illinois System: Offers online programs through its campuses in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago, and Springfield.
- Ohio University (Athens, OH): Provides a variety of online bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as certificates.
- University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA): Offers online degree programs and certificates at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- University of Nebraska (Lincoln, NE): Offers a wide range of online degree programs.
4. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Geographic Region: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia
- Examples of Institutions Offering Online Programs:
- University of Florida (Gainesville, FL): Offers a variety of online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.
- University of North Carolina System: UNC Online provides access to online programs from various UNC campuses.
- Texas A&M University System: Offers online degree programs and certificates through its various campuses.
- Auburn University (Auburn, AL): Provides online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Clemson University (Clemson, SC): Offers a selection of online master’s degrees and certificate programs.
5. Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Geographic Region: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington
- Examples of Institutions Offering Online Programs:
- Washington State University (Pullman, WA): Offers a variety of online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, as well as certificates.
- University of Idaho (Moscow, ID): Provides online degree programs and certificates at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Oregon State University (Corvallis, OR): Offers a wide range of online degree programs through Oregon State Ecampus.
6. WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
- Geographic Region: California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa
- Examples of Institutions Offering Online Programs:
- University of California System: Offers online courses and programs through its various campuses.
- California State University (CSU) System: CSU offers a wide variety of online degree programs and courses.
- University of Southern California (USC) (Los Angeles, CA): Provides a selection of online master’s degrees and certificate programs.
Important Considerations:
- Program-Specific Accreditation: In addition to regional accreditation, certain programs (e.g., business, engineering, nursing) may have their own specialized accreditations. Look for these if you are pursuing a degree in a specific field.
- Verify Accreditation Status: Always verify an institution’s accreditation status directly through the accrediting organization’s website. Accreditation status can change.
- Transfer Policies: Even with regional accreditation, transfer of credits is not guaranteed. Check with the receiving institution about their transfer policies.
- Institutional Fit: Accreditation is important, but also consider factors such as program offerings, cost, student support services, and the university’s reputation when choosing an online program.
