U.S. Department of Education Finalizes Rule to Modernize Higher Education Accreditation

The U.S. Department of Education has finalized a new rule aimed at reforming, strengthening, and modernizing higher education accreditation. The rule, which will be published in the Federal Register on October 30, 2026, seeks to increase competition among accrediting agencies, improve transfer of credit policies, reduce costs, and shift the focus of accreditation towards meaningful student outcomes.