Illinois State University has earned full reaccreditation from the Institutional Action Committee (IAC) of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).  

The accreditation is continuous through the 2034-2035 academic year and reaffirms that the University meets established higher education standards. Accreditation ensures recognition by state and federal bodies and is an important assurance for students and families, as well as employers.  

“Reaccreditation is an external validation of the excellent programs and outstanding faculty and staff at Illinois State University,” said Associate Assistant Vice President for Academic Planning, Dr. Cooper Cutting, who served as the chairperson of the University’s reaccreditation effort. “The HLC was impressed with the University’s accomplishments, so we fully expected, and have received, continuous reaccreditation through 2035.” 

Illinois State, accredited since 1913, undergoes a thorough review process every 10 years. This process involved a two-year, campuswide effort, culminating in a 35,000-word Assurance Argument describing the University’s outstanding work in the categories of institutional mission, ethical conducts, teaching and learning practices, institutional resources, and planning. HLC representatives visited campus in October 2024 and met with work teams, students, faculty, and staff.  

“Accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission shows that Illinois State not only meets but exceeds nationally established higher education standards and is engaged in continuous improvement,” said Illinois State University President, Dr. Aondover Tarhule. “I congratulate and extend my gratitude to the Accreditation Steering Committee work teams, as well as our stakeholders and community members who actively contributed to the reaccreditation process over the past two years.” 

The University received positive feedback regarding its facilities, budgeting, and commitment to academic freedom, as well as exemplary status for positive student engagement in the areas of student research, academic support, and the Multicultural Center. HLC also highlighted Illinois State’s well-developed processes for monitoring student success metrics, such as retention, persistence, and completion rates.  

The peer review team found that Illinois State demonstrates a strong commitment to shared governance and data-informed decision making and identified one criterion—assessment of student learning—as needing further improvement. Illinois State will submit a monitoring report in December 2026 to demonstrate the ways in which the University has reviewed best practices and enhanced processes to assess student learning.  

Illinois State will continue to participate in the HLC Open Pathways accreditation program, a streamlined process that significantly reduces the volume of documents and other materials collected to support the University’s application for reaccreditation. 

“The documentation that was submitted highlighted Illinois State’s excellent academic programs, its commitment to student learning and success, and its attention to detail in all aspects of University operations,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Dr. Ani Yazedjian. “The Higher Learning Commission’s findings were not surprising, given the extraordinarily collaborative efforts of our campus community. This reaccreditation is an affirmation of the great work being done in every Division across the University.”