NACIQI Recommends Renewal of SACSCOC Recognition, with Follow-Up Report

DECATUR, Ga. – The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) today (Sept. 24, 2026) voted to recommend the renewal of federal recognition for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the accreditation name of The Commission on Colleges and Universities, and recommended that the Commission submit a follow-up report in one year.

The recommendation follows a full review of the Commission’s compliance with the federal criteria for recognizing accrediting agencies, including the Commission’s petition and supporting documentation, an analysis prepared by U.S. Department of Education staff, written public comment, and the Commission’s responses before the committee.

NACIQI’s recommendation now goes to the senior Department official at the U.S. Department of Education, who issues the final recognition decision and sets the scope and timing of any reporting requirement. Under federal regulation, that decision follows within 90 days of the committee’s meeting.

“We asked for a rigorous review, and we received one,” said Dr. Stephen L. Pruitt, President of The Commission on Colleges and Universities. “We appreciate the committee’s time and effort, as well as the thorough review from US Department of Education staff. Reporting requirements are a normal feature of federal recognition and a normal feature of our own accreditation process. We ask institutions to document their work and to fix what they find. The same standard applies to us.”

Institutions accredited by SACSCOC are not affected by the committee’s recommendation. The Commission remains a federally recognized accrediting agency, accredited institutions remain accredited, and their students remain eligible for federal student financial aid under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.

The Commission will notify member institutions directly once the senior Department official issues a decision.

About The Commission on Colleges and Universities

The Commission on Colleges and Universities (The Commission) is an institutional accreditor committed to advancing educational quality and strengthening the effectiveness of its member institutions. Through a process grounded in peer review, accountability, and continuous improvement, the Commission supports institutions in their efforts to serve students and communities while maintaining public confidence in higher education.

Media Contact:
Eric Mann
Director of Public Information
The Commission on Colleges and Universities
emann@commissioncu.org  | 404-994-6576