Is A Nationally Accredited Online Degree Worth It?
Written By: Jennifer King Logan
Published: 2/7/2022
Is it worth attending a school with national — instead of the more common regional — accreditation? The answer depends on your goals for your education. Nationally accredited schools have their place and may provide a valuable educational experience for some students. However, because a school's accreditation status can have such a significant impact on your future, it's essential for you to understand how it relates to your college search.
Written By: Jennifer King Logan
Published: 2/7/2022
Is it worth attending a school with national — instead of the more common regional — accreditation? The answer depends on your goals for your education. Nationally accredited schools have their place and may provide a valuable educational experience for some students. However, because a school's accreditation status can have such a significant impact on your future, it's essential for you to understand how it relates to your college search.
Want an online degree that's:
- Affordable
- Popular
- Highly Rated
- Military-friendly
We've got them. Let's get started.
AD
In the higher education arena, the vast majority of schools are accredited by either regional agencies or national agencies. Although regional accreditation is often viewed as the more prestigious, it would be misleading to say that nationally accredited schools have little to no value or that they offer a poor quality education. The truth is that some types of schools — such as technical and vocational schools, faith-based colleges, and some fully online schools — are simply so different from traditional brick-and-mortar colleges and universities that they require a separate set of criteria for evaluation purposes. , where you'll find a list of schools that are nationally accredited.
Measure Your Nationally Accredited Degree's Worth Across These Five Metrics
Many factors need to be taken into consideration when you're deciding whether a degree from a nationally accredited school is a worthwhile choice. For example, nationally accredited (NA) schools often have higher acceptance rates, lower to average tuition fees, and more flexible payment plans, which may influence your thought process. However, there are five key areas where accreditation can have far-reaching effects on your education and career, so the following list explains these issues in more depth and provides useful tips that may help you determine whether a nationally accredited school is right for you.
1. Transfer Credits
Many students begin their college education at one school and later transfer to another, hoping to take the credits they've already earned with them so they don't have to repeat coursework. However, most regionally accredited (RA) schools will not accept credits earned at a nationally accredited school in the belief that the academic standards at the NA school are less rigorous. You may find a few exceptions to this rule — some RA schools do accept NA credits — but it's fairly rare. On the other hand, most NA institutions will accept transfer credits from either RA schools or other NA schools.
2. Financial Aid
Some people believe that federal financial aid programs, such as Pell grants or government-funded student loans, are only available to students attending regionally accredited schools. Conversely, some believe that financial aid is available no matter what type of school a student attends. The truth is that financial aid is through professional organizations. In other cases, however, employers may be more flexible in their expectations.
You're intent on getting a faith-based education.
You don't qualify for financial aid. Be sure this is true first! and can accredit schools regardless of geography.
In the higher education arena, the vast majority of schools are accredited by either regional agencies or national agencies. Although regional accreditation is often viewed as the more prestigious, it would be misleading to say that nationally accredited schools have little to no value or that they offer a poor quality education. The truth is that some types of schools — such as technical and vocational schools, faith-based colleges, and some fully online schools — are simply so different from traditional brick-and-mortar colleges and universities that they require a separate set of criteria for evaluation purposes. , where you'll find a list of schools that are nationally accredited.
Measure Your Nationally Accredited Degree's Worth Across These Five Metrics
Many factors need to be taken into consideration when you're deciding whether a degree from a nationally accredited school is a worthwhile choice. For example, nationally accredited (NA) schools often have higher acceptance rates, lower to average tuition fees, and more flexible payment plans, which may influence your thought process. However, there are five key areas where accreditation can have far-reaching effects on your education and career, so the following list explains these issues in more depth and provides useful tips that may help you determine whether a nationally accredited school is right for you.
1. Transfer Credits
Many students begin their college education at one school and later transfer to another, hoping to take the credits they've already earned with them so they don't have to repeat coursework. However, most regionally accredited (RA) schools will not accept credits earned at a nationally accredited school in the belief that the academic standards at the NA school are less rigorous. You may find a few exceptions to this rule — some RA schools do accept NA credits — but it's fairly rare. On the other hand, most NA institutions will accept transfer credits from either RA schools or other NA schools.
2. Financial Aid
Some people believe that federal financial aid programs, such as Pell grants or government-funded student loans, are only available to students attending regionally accredited schools. Conversely, some believe that financial aid is available no matter what type of school a student attends. The truth is that financial aid is through professional organizations. In other cases, however, employers may be more flexible in their expectations.
You're intent on getting a faith-based education.
You don't qualify for financial aid. Be sure this is true first!