Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Profile of Accredited Institutions, 2020-2021:

154

Accredited U.S. and non-U.S. Institutions:

3,324,978

Students

154 Total Degree-Granting:

106	Public
46	Private Nonprofit
2	Private For-Profit

0 Total Non-Degree-Granting:

0	Public
0	Private Nonprofit
0	Private For-Profit

Recognition Status as of 2020-2021:

Recognized by: Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education

Range of Accreditation Activity:

NWCCU is incorporated as a legally established, private 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and accredits institutions of higher education in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and British Columbia, along with other domestic and international geographic areas.

Sponsoring Organization:

n/a

International Accreditation Activity:

3	Non-U.S. institutions or programs operating outside the U.S.
n/a	U.S. institutions or programs operating outside the U.S.
Yes	Organization evaluates credentials or degrees from outside the U.S.

Operating Information for Accrediting Unit Only:

Budget:

$3,400,000

$n/a	Direct support from any sponsoring organization
$n/a	In-kind support from any sponsoring organization

Employees and Volunteers:

14	Full-time Employees
2	Part-time Employees
450	Volunteers - Served 2020-2021

Composition of Decision-Making Body

The Board of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities consists of up to twenty-six Commissioners. Commissioners are elected for staggered three-year terms and serve without compensation. A majority of the Commissioners represents institutions accredited by the Commission with consideration given for diversity of institutions and geographical distribution, including at least one person from the region’s tribal colleges. One-seventh (1/7th) of the commissioners must be persons representing the general public. In addition, the board may have up to two persons from higher educational institution(s) of a region or regions outside of the commission’s region. Such persons must be actively employed by an institution that is accredited by an agency recognized for accreditation purposes by the United States Department of Education.

Profile of 2020-2021 Accreditation Activities :

Frequency of Comprehensive Reviews and Required Follow-Up: Seven-year cycle with annual reporting; a mid-cycle review; and a year six policies, finance, and regulations off-site review.

Frequency of Comprehensive Review of Accreditation Standards: 8 Years

Summary of 2020-2021 Formal Actions:

2	Initial Candidacy or Preaccreditation Granted
1	Initial Candidacy or Preaccreditation Denied
1	Initial Accreditation Granted
0	Initial Accreditation Denied
28	Accreditation Continued Following Comprehensive Review
26	Accreditation Continued Following Comprehensive Review with Required Follow-up
2	Notice or Warning
0	Probation
0	Show Cause
1	Accreditation Terminated or Removed
0	Actions under Appeal
n/a	Other