U.S. Department of Education Proposes Significant Revisions to Higher Education Accreditation Regulations

The U.S. Department of Education has announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to revise federal regulations governing the recognition of accrediting agencies and related institutional requirements. These proposed changes aim to increase competition among accreditors, reduce administrative burdens, and place a greater emphasis on student outcomes like graduation and employment rates. Public comments on the NPRM are due by September 21, 2026.