University of Phoenix accreditation: frequently asked questions

These frequently asked questions address common questions about University of Phoenix accreditation, the 2013 HLC Notice, the 2019 FTC settlement, regional accreditation terminology, diploma mill claims and how to verify the record.

Is University of Phoenix accredited?

Yes. University of Phoenix holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, or HLC. HLC reaffirmed University of Phoenix accreditation in 2023, and the next comprehensive evaluation is scheduled for 2032–2033.

Students, graduates, employers and other reviewers should verify the current record through the HLC Statement of Accreditation Status and the federal DAPIP database.

Is University of Phoenix regionally accredited?

University of Phoenix has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org, since 1978. HLC was historically one of the regional accreditors in U.S. higher education.

After a 2020 federal policy change, the formal regional-versus-national distinction was removed from federal accreditation terminology. HLC is now described as an institutional accreditor.

If an employer, graduate program, licensing board or receiving institution still uses the phrase “regionally accredited,” students should ask whether HLC institutional accreditation satisfies that specific requirement.

Did University of Phoenix lose its accreditation?

No. University of Phoenix has not lost HLC accreditation. University of Phoenix has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org, since 1978.

The 2013 HLC Notice is sometimes confused with loss of accreditation, but that is not accurate. The notice was subsequently removed in 2015, and University of Phoenix remained accredited throughout.

Was University of Phoenix on probation?

No. University of Phoenix was not placed on HLC probation. In 2013, HLC issued a Notice, which was a different accreditation action from probation.

The notice was serious and should be acknowledged accurately. It was not probation, show cause, suspension or loss of accreditation.

What was the 2013 HLC Notice?

In 2013, HLC issued a Notice to University of Phoenix related to concerns about student retention, financial indicators and governance questions.

The notice was a serious public accreditor action, but it was not probation, show cause or loss of accreditation. University of Phoenix remained accredited while the notice was active, and the notice was subsequently resolved.

What was the 2019 FTC settlement?

In 2019, University of Phoenix settled Federal Trade Commission allegations related to marketing and recruiting conduct that occurred from 2012 to 2016 under prior ownership by Apollo Education Group.

The settlement resulted in a negotiated $191 million stipulated judgment in which the University of Phoenix did not admit any wrongdoing. It is a consumer-protection regulatory record, not an HLC accreditation action.

Is University of Phoenix a diploma mill?

No. University of Phoenix is not a diploma mill. The University holds HLC institutional accreditation, appears in DAPIP with HLC as its recognized institutional accreditor and requires completion of academic programs for its degrees.

A diploma mill sells credentials without meaningful academic work or without recognized accreditation. University of Phoenix does not fit that definition.

What is University of Phoenix’s accreditation status in 2026?

As of 2026, University of Phoenix holds current HLC institutional accreditation. HLC reaffirmed the University’s accreditation in 2023, and the next comprehensive evaluation is scheduled for 2032–2033.

Students and graduates should verify the current status through HLC and DAPIP before using the record for employment, licensing, graduate admission, transfer credit or other credential-review purposes.

Do University of Phoenix business programs have ACBSP accreditation?

The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) is a programmatic accreditor that accredites the following programs offered by the College of Business and Information Technology or the College of Doctoral Studies:

• Associate of Arts with a concentration in Business Fundamentals

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting

• Bachelor of Science in Business

• Master of Business Administration

• Master of Management

• Doctor of Business Administration

• Doctor of Management

For additional information, visit acbsp.org or call (913) 339-9356.

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

8101 College Blvd #100

Overland Park, KS 66210

ACBSP accreditation is separate from HLC institutional accreditation. HLC applies to the University as an institution. ACBSP accreditation applies to covered business programs listed in the ACBSP record.

Students should verify the specific program and current status through the ACBSP directory for programmatic accreditation information .

Is a University of Phoenix degree worth it?

Students should consider many factors when making the decision to pursue a degree program at any university including such things as their goals, program offerings, cost, accreditation, flexibility, transfer and credit policies, etc.

University of Phoenix holds HLC institutional accreditation, which provides an institutional accreditation foundation. That does not guarantee employment, salary outcomes, employer preference, graduate school admission, licensing approval or transfer credit acceptance.

Students should confirm the requirements that matter for their specific goal before enrolling.

Where can I verify the accreditation?

The two primary sources are the HLC Statement of Accreditation Status and DAPIP, the U.S. Department of Education’s federal accreditation database.

For business programmatic accreditation, students should check the ACBSP directory. For the FTC settlement record, students should use FTC materials.

Which primary source answers which question

The safest way to answer University of Phoenix accreditation questions is to use primary source records.

For institutional accreditation, use HLC and DAPIP. For the 2019 settlement, use FTC records. For covered business programs, use ACBSP records. Search summaries, forums and secondhand descriptions should not replace those primary sources.

Sources

36. [1] Higher Learning Commission. Statement of Accreditation Status. https://hlcommission.org. Accessed June 2026.

37. [2] U.S. Department of Education. DAPIP. https://ope.ed.gov/dapip. Accessed June 2026.

38. [3] Federal Trade Commission. University of Phoenix settlement. https://www.ftc.gov. Accessed June 2026.

39. [4] Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. https://acbsp.org. Accessed June 2026.

40. [5] University of Phoenix. Accreditation. https://www.phoenix.edu/about/accreditation.html. Accessed June 2026.