Accreditation provides both tangible and intangible benefits. Accreditation certifies to the public that an institution meets or exceeds specific standards of quality. Accreditation facilitates institutional eligibility to participate in Title IV student financial aid programs. Accreditation provides for a process of periodic self and peer review. These activities are a positive force in improving institutional effectiveness.
Many institutions rely on regional accreditation in their decisions to recognize transfer credit.
While it is typically true that many institutions recognize transfer credits only from regionally accredited institutions, the basic principle underlying issues of transfer is that each institution is responsible for determining its own policies and practices in regard to transfer and award of credit. The Commission requires that institutions have a policy on transfer of credit by which the institution certifies that credits accepted achieve educational objectives comparable to its own courses. Since each college is unique and has its own mission, the Commission does not rank colleges. The responsibility of the Commission is to accredit colleges based on standards of good practice in higher education. The Commission does not recommend colleges.