If you're looking for a degree that will grant you the maximum amount of career and future academic possibilities, you'll want to study at accredited colleges. Accreditation basically means that the school's programs are evaluated against a certain standard, ensuring that it is of a certain quality. Various accrediting agencies have established a particular level of education that schools must adhere to in order to be accredited.

Beyond evaluating the quality of academic programs, accredited universities are also a wise choice because they are eligible for participation in federal and state financial aid programs. Additionally, accredited colleges are often necessary when it comes to transferring college credit, or applying credits you've earned toward a graduate program.

The majority of accredited colleges are filed with one of six agencies that represent geographical regions of the country. They are The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, The Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Many perfectly accredited universities don't list their accreditation agency, but if you search the applicable agency listed above online, you can generally find out if your school of interest is accredited at the agency's site.

Some of the smaller private colleges may not be regionally accredited universities, but nationally accredited. You can search the Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation online to find directories of such national agencies.

All told, there are approximately 6,900 postsecondary educational institutions and programs accredited by a regional agency or accreditation recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Begin your search for accredited colleges today!

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About the Author

Paul D. Rosevear is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school or career that's right for you!