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University of Phoenix HLC accreditation record

University of Phoenix has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org, since 1978. HLC reaffirmed University of Phoenix accreditation in 2023 following a comprehensive evaluation. The next comprehensive evaluation is scheduled for 2032–2033. The current accreditation status is verifiable at hlcommission.org and in DAPIP at ope.ed.gov/dapip. The complete record - including the 2013 Notice and its resolution, and the separate 2019 FTC settlement - is described below.

1978 to 2012: institutional accreditation and growth

University of Phoenix received HLC institutional accreditation in 1978 and grew substantially over the following decades, becoming one of the largest private universities in the United States with a student population concentrated among working adults. The University maintained its HLC accreditation relationship throughout this period through the standard evaluation and monitoring processes. HLC conducted periodic comprehensive evaluations and the University continued to receive accreditation.

2013: the HLC Notice

In 2013, HLC placed University of Phoenix on Notice. The Notice included three areas of concern: student retention trends, financial indicators, and governance questions. Notice is a sanction indicating that while the University was in compliance with accreditation standards, it could be later deemed out of compliance unless changes were undertaken. Notice is it was not probation, show cause, or loss of accreditation. University of Phoenix remained accredited throughout the notice period. The Notice required the University to respond to HLC’s concerns through a documented response and monitoring process.

The 2013 Notice was not probation. Probation is a formal adverse accreditation action that identifies significant noncompliance and carries different implications. A notice was a signal of concern about the direction of an institution’s compliance - serious, but a separate and less severe category than probation. Describing the 2013 notice as probation or as a loss of accreditation is factually inaccurate.

2015 to 2017: resolution and ownership change

University of Phoenix addressed the concerns identified by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) through the required reporting, monitoring, and review processes. Following its review of the University’s response and demonstrated improvements, HLC removed the Notice sanction in 2015. Since then, the University continued its longstanding accreditation relationship with HLC. Throughout this period, the University remained accredited.

This history provides important context for understanding the University’s accreditation since 1978 and through the 2013 Notice sanction and the successful reaffirmation of accreditation during its 2022–2023. The University’s ability to maintain continuous accreditation, address HLC’s concern, and achieve reaffirmation reflects the institution’s ongoing commitment to meeting the Higher Learning Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation.

2019: the FTC settlement

In 2019, University of Phoenix settled Federal Trade Commission allegations related to marketing and recruiting conduct that occurred between 2012 and 2016 - during the period of Apollo Education Group ownership. The settlement resulted in a negotiated $191 million stipulated judgment in which the University of Phoenix did not admit any wrongdoing, with $50 million paid in cash and the remainder provided as debt relief to students. The FTC settlement is a consumer-protection regulatory record. It is a separate matter from HLC accreditation. HLC did not issue an adverse accreditation action in connection with the FTC settlement. University of Phoenix’s accreditation continued.

2023: HLC reaffirmation

HLC reaffirmed University of Phoenix accreditation in 2023 following a comprehensive evaluation. Reaffirmation is the accreditation outcome when the comprehensive evaluation finds that the institution meets HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation. The next comprehensive evaluation is scheduled for 2032–2033. The 2023 reaffirmation evaluated the institution as it operates today - under current ownership, governance, and academic leadership.

What the complete record means for verification

A complete verification of University of Phoenix’s accreditation record includes: HLC institutional accreditation since 1978; a 2013 Notice related to student retention, financial indicators, and governance questions; resolution of that notice; a 2019 FTC settlement for allegations related to prior ownership; and a 2023 HLC reaffirmation. Both the historical concerns and the current reaffirmation are part of an accurate account. The primary sources - hlcommission.org and ope.ed.gov/dapip - confirm the current status.

The 2023 HLC reaffirmation is the most current authoritative statement about University of Phoenix’s accreditation standing. Earlier entries in the HLC record - including the 2013 Notice - are part of the historical record and appear in the Statement of Accreditation Status, but the reaffirmation outcome is the operative accreditation determination for current credential uses.

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