Critical Distinction: Not all accreditation is created equal. Regional accreditation ensures near-universal credit transfer, while national or programmatic accreditation may limit your options. Verify accreditation BEFORE enrolling.
What Is Regional Accreditation?
Regional accreditation represents the highest level of academic recognition in U.S. higher education. Seven regional accrediting agencies evaluate colleges and universities based on rigorous standards for academic quality, faculty credentials, institutional resources, and student outcomes.
The Seven Regional Accreditors
Middle States Commission
Mid-Atlantic region including NY, PA, NJ, MD, DE, DC
New England Commission
CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT
Higher Learning Commission
Midwest states including IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, OK, SD, WV, WI
Northwest Commission
AK, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA
Southern Association
AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA
WASC Senior College
CA, HI, Pacific territories
Why Regional Accreditation Matters for Nursing
Nursing schools—particularly competitive BSN and ABSN programs—strongly prefer or require prerequisites from regionally accredited institutions. This preference stems from trust in quality standards and predictability of credit transfer.
Accreditation Types Compared
Regional Accreditation: Gold standard. Credits transfer to 95%+ of colleges and universities. Preferred by nursing schools. Examples: Community colleges, state universities, major private universities.
National Accreditation: Often for-profit, vocational, or religious institutions. Limited transfer acceptance. Credits may not transfer to regionally accredited schools. Examples: Some online-only institutions.
Programmatic Accreditation: Specific to professional programs (e.g., nursing, engineering). Supplements regional accreditation, doesn't replace it. Examples: CCNE or ACEN for nursing programs.
ACE Credit: The Bridge for Non-Traditional Providers
What about online providers like StraighterLine that aren't regionally accredited colleges? This is where ACE (American Council on Education) Credit Recommendations become crucial.
How ACE Credit Works
ACE evaluates courses from non-traditional providers using the same standards applied to regionally accredited institutions. When ACE recommends a course for college credit, it signals to nursing schools that the course meets rigorous academic standards.
ACE Credit Advantages
- Accepted at 3,000+ institutions including many nursing schools
- Independent quality validation from respected third party
- Cost savings of 50-90% compared to traditional tuition
- StraighterLine's 180+ partner schools guarantee ACE credit acceptance
- Flexibility and self-paced learning while maintaining standards
Important Considerations
- Not universally accepted - Some schools only accept regionally accredited credits
- Requires verification - Must confirm target schools accept ACE credit
- Evaluation time possible - Non-partner schools may take weeks to review
- Documentation needed - Official ACE transcripts required for transfer
How to Verify Accreditation Status
Never trust marketing claims alone. Verify accreditation directly through official databases and institutional websites.
Accreditation Verification Process:
- Check the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions - U.S. Department of Education maintains searchable database at ope.ed.gov/accreditation
- Visit the accreditor's website directly - Each regional accreditor maintains lists of accredited institutions
- Review the institution's website - Legitimate schools prominently display accreditation status
- Verify ACE credit for non-traditional providers - Check ACE's National Guide at acenet.edu
- Contact nursing schools directly - Confirm they accept credits from your chosen provider
Red Flag: If a school claims accreditation but you can't verify it through official databases, it's likely a diploma mill. Avoid at all costs.
StraighterLine's Accreditation Approach
StraighterLine courses aren't from a regionally accredited institution, but they carry ACE credit recommendations—which many nursing schools accept as equivalent for prerequisite purposes.
Why Nursing Schools Accept StraighterLine
StraighterLine's Quality Framework
ACE Credit Recommendations: All courses evaluated by ACE for college-level rigor
180+ Partner Institutions: Direct transfer agreements with colleges and universities
43,400+ Successful Transfers: Proven track record with nursing students
Regular Re-Evaluation: Courses reviewed every 3 years to maintain currency
Quality assurance equivalent to regional accreditation standards
Making the Right Choice for Your Situation
Choose Regionally Accredited When:
- Your target nursing schools explicitly require regionally accredited prerequisites
- You're uncertain which schools you'll apply to and want maximum flexibility
- You qualify for financial aid that requires regional accreditation
- Cost isn't your primary concern
Choose ACE-Recommended (StraighterLine) When:
- Your target schools accept ACE credit (verify first!)
- Cost savings of 50-90% are important to your situation
- You need self-paced flexibility for work/family commitments
- Your target school is a StraighterLine partner institution
Accreditation determines whether your hard-earned credits transfer to nursing school. Regional accreditation offers the widest acceptance, while ACE credit from providers like StraighterLine provides quality assurance with significant cost savings.
The key is verification. Before enrolling in any prerequisite course—regionally accredited or ACE-recommended—confirm your target nursing schools accept those credits. This simple step protects your investment and keeps your nursing career timeline on track.