 NWCCU logo | |
 Historical NWCCU operational area | |
| Abbreviation | NWCCU |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1917 |
| Legal status | Association |
| Purpose | Educational accreditation |
| Headquarters | Redmond, Washington |
Region served | Alaska,Idaho,Montana,Nevada,Oregon,Utah,Washington,British Columbia |
| Membership | 163 institutions |
President | Dr. Selena Grace |
Main organ | Board of Commissioners |
| Website | nwccu |
TheNorthwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) is an independent,non-profit membership organization recognized by theUnited States Department of Education since 1952 as aninstitutional accreditor for colleges and universities.[1]
Before 2020, when the Department of Education reorganized accreditation, NWCCU was the regional authority on educational quality and institutional effectiveness of higher education institutions in the seven-state Northwest region ofAlaska,Idaho,Montana,Nevada,Oregon,Utah, andWashington. It establishes accreditation criteria and evaluation procedures by which institutions are reviewed. The commission is recognized by theCouncil for Higher Education Accreditation.[2][3]
The Commission overseesregional accreditation for 156 institutions. Its decision-making body consists of up to twenty-six Commissioners who represent the public and the diversity of higher education institutions within the Northwest region.[citation needed][4]
The NWCCU also accredits non-US institutions.Capilano University,Simon Fraser University, andThompson Rivers University ofBritish Columbia,Canada received accreditation in 2013, 2015, and 2018, respectively.[5][6][7] However, as of 1 April 2024, Capilano University is no longer accredited by NWCCU.[8]
In 1917, the organization was formed as theNorthwest Association of Secondary and Higher Schools.[9][10][11]
In 1974, the association changed its name to the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, which included two divisions, one being the Northwest Association of Colleges and Universities.[9][10][11]
In 2002, the Northwest Association of Colleges and Universities split from the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NWAAS) to create two separate organizations, changing the name of the organization to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). NWCCU has since handled the accreditation of institutions of higher education, while theNorthwest Association of Accredited Schools (NWAAS) handled the accreditation of primary and secondary schools.[9][10][11]
In 2012,NWAC merged withAdvancED.[9][10][11]
In 2025, NWCCU announced Dr. Selena Grace as its new president and CEO.[12]