Accreditation And Why It’s Important

The Education Fund recommends you identify your goals and consider costs, class size, and school accreditation status before choosing a school. Before deciding to enroll in school and making a significant financial commitment of time and money to your education, find out if the institution you want to attend is “accredited.” An accredited school has been reviewed by an industry organization to ensure that quality standards are met and maintained, providing some assurance of receiving a quality education. Some employers, licensing boards, and graduate schools will only accept credentials earned at an accredited school. Attending an accredited school will often increase your opportunities in the long run, as employers usually prefer to hire people who have graduated from accredited programs. Although an accredited school may seem more expensive or less convenient to attend, there are actually more financial aid options available at these schools, as most student loans, scholarships and grants are often only available for accredited schools. If you have questions about accreditation of a particular school or want help exploring your options, contact one of our Career Counselors.