President Trump fulfilled a long-standing campaign promise on Thursday as the Department of Education finalized regulations designed to overhaul the college accreditation system. The new rules introduce specific standards regarding intellectual diversity and mandate how accreditors must police compliance with civil rights laws. Nicholas Kent, the department's chief higher education official, stated that the regulation aims to shift the focus of accreditors away from ideological and procedural requirements toward tangible student success.
Kent argued in a statement that accreditors had previously functioned as a cartel protecting their own interests rather than ensuring educational value for students. He asserted that the final rule establishes a more competitive and transparent system while holding institutions accountable for delivering meaningful outcomes to American families. The department did not substantially alter the regulations from its initial proposal, despite receiving over 7,000 public comments urging changes.
Critics argue that the overhaul politicizes the determination of which colleges qualify for federal aid, potentially advancing the president's goal of reclaiming institutions from what he terms the radical left. Dozens of higher education groups warned that the rules could undermine the traditional peer-review model, lower standards for new accreditors, and violate institutional independence. Public records indicate that the White House Office of Management and Budget did not accept any meetings to discuss the proposal during its eight-day review period.
Emily Merolli, a former department attorney now with Sligo Law Group, noted on social media that accreditation has become significantly more political under these new guidelines. Mike Gavin, president of the Alliance for Higher Education, expressed no surprise at the rule's politicized nature but warned that the administration could weaponize it to control the higher education sector and limit diversity of thought. Conversely, supporters like Representative Tim Walberg, chair of the House education committee, backed Kent's approach. Walberg emphasized that accreditors should focus on whether colleges help students graduate and secure employment rather than imposing unnecessary costs or pushing ideological agendas.
The new accreditation rule is scheduled to take effect in July.
Sources: Inside Higher Ed.