Higher Learning Commission

Looking at the data from comprehensive evaluations held between September 2021 and August 2022, HLC’s latest By the Numbers report examines trends in how institutions meet the Criteria for Accreditation, differences across institutional context, and areas of challenge faced by institutions.

Some takeaways from the analysis:

• The overall outcomes were consistent with the improvement trend in recent years. The percentage of HLC institutions meeting the Criteria for Accreditation without concerns has improved 9 percentage points since 2018.
• The most frequently cited Core Components, showing a persistent pattern in the last five years, include 3.C (sufficiency of faculty and staff), 4.A (ensuring quality of educational offerings), 4.B (assessment of student learning), 4.C (persistence, retention, and completion outcomes), 5.B (resource base), and 5.C (systematic and integrated planning and improvement).
• Core Component 4.B continues to be the most frequently cited area of concern, with citations in 32% of all comprehensive evaluations. The proportion of institutions with citations in Core Component 4.B increased 4 percentage points from last year’s level, which had shown a noticeable decline when compared to the preceding years.
• An examination of the most frequently cited Core Components by Carnegie Classification provides further information on the specific areas of challenge by institutional sector.

The insights gained from this analysis help guide HLC’s efforts to revise the Criteria for Accreditation, as well as strengthen the resources to meet the needs of the membership.