New federal rules expand government oversight of college accreditors

The U.S. Department of Education has finalized new regulations that will alter how accreditors evaluate American colleges. The changes, which are scheduled to take effect ahead of the 2027-28 academic year, require accrediting agencies to assess whether schools expose students to a range of viewpoints. This new mandate expands the federal government's role in the accreditation process, a system that traditionally operates independently of direct government control.

Accreditation determines which institutions qualify for federal student loans and grants. Historically, third-party nonprofit organizations reviewed schools based on curriculum, faculty, and finances. Federal law previously required these groups to remain independent, though the department retained oversight. The new rules significantly broaden the requirements accreditors must enforce, giving the department more authority to influence how schools are judged.

Bob Shireman, an accreditation expert and former top official in the Obama Education Department, warned that the regulations allow the government to meddle in internal college affairs. He stated that this creates an avenue for the federal government to tell colleges what balance of viewpoints they should maintain. PEN America, a nonprofit dedicated to defending free expression, described the change as part of a plan to weaken historic protections for the freedom to think, teach, and research.

Ellen Keast, communications director for the education under secretary, defended the move as a commonsense step toward restoring intellectual diversity. She noted that the regulations do not mandate specific policies or give the department authority to police speech. Instead, Keast said, the rules reinforce the principle that truth emerges through rigorous debate rather than enforced consensus.

Beth Akers, an economist and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, expressed concern about the expansion of federal power. While she supports much of the overhaul, Akers stated that placing the administration in a seat of judgment over institutions regarding ideology makes her uncomfortable. She argued that the change goes too far in allowing the government to assess how appropriately schools teach ideology.

The regulations also aim to increase competition among accreditors by making it easier for new agencies to form. The department believes this will lower costs and allow schools to switch accreditors more easily. Emily Rounds, a senior higher education policy adviser at Third Way, noted that one non-controversial change will push accreditors to focus more on student outcomes, such as earnings, licensure pass rates, and graduation rates.

Because the rules were finalized through the traditional rulemaking process, they will be difficult for Congress to undo. The changes follow a period of tension between Republican-led states and existing accreditors, with Florida and five other states opting to switch to a new accreditor called the Commission for Public Higher Education.