Institutional Update
Member institutions provide data on their operations and educational offerings in the annual Institutional Update. HLC uses the data to assess institutional health and identify trends.
What to Know for 2026
Reporting Period: March 2 – April 3
Resources for Institutions
- 2026 Institutional Update Guide (January 2026)
- Composite Financial Index (CFI) Worksheet
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio Worksheet
- Canopy Login
How to Prepare for the Institutional Update
- Ensure that HLC has the correct contact information for the roles responsible for the Institutional Update. The Chief Executive Officer, Accreditation Liaison Officer or Data Update Coordinator may submit changes to these roles through the Contact Update in Canopy.
- Refer to the 2026 Institutional Update Guide to prepare the required information.
New in 2026
Reduced-Credit Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Institutions will be asked to report the number of reduced-credit bachelor’s programs offered and degrees awarded from July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025.
A reduced-credit bachelor’s degree program is a bachelor’s degree program requiring less than the minimum program length of 120 semester credits that is specified in HLC’s Assumed Practices.
Dual Credit Students
HLC updated our definition of “dual credit students” to clarify that institutions should report information about students who earned both high school and college credit from dual credit courses.
Mark of Accreditation Status Instructions Available in Canopy
HLC asks institutions to provide a link to the page on their website where they display the Mark of Accreditation Status. To make it easier for institutions to manage this requirement, instructions for installing the Mark, including the necessary HTML code, are now available in Canopy.
ALOs, CEOs and Data Update Coordinators can access this resource in the Quick Links section of the institutional dashboard.
Institutions With an Audit Consolidated as Part of a Related Entity
HLC updated instructions in the Composite Financial Index (CFI) section of the Financial Form for institutions with an audit that is consolidated as part of a related entity.
In such cases, the audit should include consolidating schedules that detail the financial position for the HLC-accredited institution. The institution may instead provide other evidence that provides a sufficient basis for HLC to determine the financial position of the institution. The institution should use the consolidating schedules, or other information, to complete the CFI section.
How HLC Uses Institutional Update Data
- To update the information in our Directory of Institutions.
- To determine whether any financial and non-financial data suggest concerns that require follow-up through the risk indicators process or otherwise.
- To calculate HLC membership dues.
- To remain in compliance with federal requirements.
- To identify trends in our membership.
Looking Ahead
HLC is exploring the feasibility of collecting information regarding institutional program offerings and publishing them in the Institutional Status and Requirements (ISR) Report. More information about this project will be available in the coming years.
