ED Proposes Sweeping Overhaul of Higher Education Accreditation Rules
Published September 08, 2026
By AACOM Government Relations and Health Affairs
Higher Education Topics
On August 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) released its Accreditation, Innovation and Modernization (AIM) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), proposing significant changes to federal accreditation requirements, including a greater emphasis on measurable student outcomes and return on investment, academic freedom, civil rights compliance, research integrity and increased competition among accreditors. The NPRM reflects the consensus language reached by the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee back in May.
Accreditors would be required to assess program-level outcomes such as licensure exam performance, completion and post-graduation outcomes, as well as economic returns relative to the cost and length of a program. The proposal also strengthens requirements separating accrediting agencies from affiliated professional or trade associations, including restrictions on shared personnel, facilities, technology and other resources.
AACOM anticipates providing feedback to ED. Comments on the proposed regulation are due September 21, 2026, with implementation scheduled for July 1, 2027. For more information, read our analysis.