U.S. Education Department Unveils Major Accreditation Reforms

The U.S. Department of Education has introduced major reforms to the higher education accreditation system, in compliance with President Trump’s Executive Order 14279, aiming to foster innovation and enhance student outcomes. Central to these changes is a new policy that allows colleges and universities to change accrediting bodies more easily, reversing previous Biden-era restrictions. Institutions will now only need 'reasonable cause' to switch accreditors, such as aligning with specific missions or addressing concerns over ideological requirements like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The reforms are designed to promote competition among accreditors and institutions, lower college costs, and refocus postsecondary education on academic and workforce outcomes. These regulatory adjustments remove barriers within the accreditation process and are intended to encourage institutional innovation while reducing federal micromanagement. The Department's actions seek to create a more dynamic and student-centered higher education system.