October 29, 2026
Today, the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) finalized a landmark rule to reform, strengthen, and modernize America’s higher education quality assurance system, marking the most significant overhaul of the federal recognition system in decades. The final rule is designed to strengthen quality assurance and improve affordability in higher education by prioritizing student outcomes, reducing regulatory burdens, promoting innovation and intellectual diversity, and increasing competition among accrediting agencies.
For too long, the nation’s accreditation system has been dominated by a small number of accrediting agencies that serve as gatekeepers to more than $100 billion in annual federal student aid and professional licensure. Rather than driving continuous improvement and student success, this concentrated system has insulated accreditors from competition, increased administrative costs, contributed to unnecessary credential inflation, and encouraged colleges and universities to focus on ideological and procedural requirements that do little to improve educational quality. American students deserve an accreditation system that prioritizes outcomes, including timely graduation, successful employment, and strong earnings, while fostering innovation, accountability, and affordability.