Regional accreditor · Updated 2026
HLC Accreditation for Bible Colleges and Seminaries
The Higher Learning Commission accredits institutions across nineteen states from Ohio to Arizona — the region that includes some of the most influential names in American evangelical education, Moody and Wheaton among them.
At a glance
Higher Learning Commission
- Abbreviation
- HLC
- Type
- Regional
- Recognition
- Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and Recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
- Scope
- Institutional accreditation in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- Founded
- 1895, as part of the North Central Association.
- Members
- Roughly 1,000 institutions.
Christian schools in the HLC region
Moody Bible Institute in Chicago holds HLC accreditation alongside ABHE. Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield holds HLC and ATS. Wheaton College, Cedarville University, Grace Theological Seminary, Ozark Christian College, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, and Concordia's Midwestern campuses all sit in this footprint.
The Chicago corridor in particular concentrates an unusual number of nationally significant schools within a short drive — which is why Illinois consistently outperforms its population in Bible college search interest.
What HLC reviews
HLC uses five Criteria for Accreditation covering mission, integrity and ethical conduct, quality of teaching and learning, evaluation and improvement, and institutional resources and planning. Reviews run on a multi-year cycle with a comprehensive evaluation and an assurance filing.
For prospective students the practical takeaway is the same as with any regional accreditor: HLC accreditation means credits transfer widely, federal aid is available, and no graduate program will question the legitimacy of the institution.
Verifying HLC accreditation
Search the HLC directory of institutions and check the accreditation status, the highest degree level approved, and the date of the next review. HLC publishes public disclosure notices for schools under sanction; the absence of one is a good sign.
Frequently asked questions
Which states does HLC cover?
Nineteen: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Is Moody Bible Institute accredited?
Yes. Moody holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and also holds accreditation from the Association for Biblical Higher Education, the dual configuration that gives both wide transferability and biblical-core validation.
Was HLC formerly called North Central?
Yes. The Higher Learning Commission was the higher education arm of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and became independent in 2014. Older documents may reference NCA accreditation.
HLC-accredited schools in our directory
These schools in the Find Bible Schools directory list HLC accreditation. Always confirm current status directly with the accreditor before applying.
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, Illinois · Non-denominational Evangelical
Historic tuition-paid undergraduate Bible college with a large online seminary.
AGTS — Evangel University
Springfield, Missouri · Assemblies of God
The Assemblies of God seminary at Evangel University.
Bethel Seminary
St. Paul, Minnesota · Baptist General Conference / Converge
Multi-format evangelical seminary with cohort and online tracks.
Cedarville University
Cedarville, Ohio · Baptist
Baptist university with undergraduate biblical studies and MDiv programs.
Covenant Theological Seminary
St. Louis, Missouri · Presbyterian Church in America
The denominational seminary of the Presbyterian Church in America.
Denver Seminary
Littleton, Colorado · Non-denominational Evangelical
Evangelical seminary known for mentored ministry formation.
Grace Theological Seminary
Winona Lake, Indiana · Grace Brethren
Affordable evangelical seminary with online MDiv and MA programs.
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Kansas City, Missouri · Southern Baptist
Southern Baptist seminary "For the Church."
Oral Roberts University College of Theology
Tulsa, Oklahoma · Charismatic / Pentecostal
Charismatic university with undergraduate and graduate theology programs.
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Deerfield, Illinois · Evangelical Free Church of America
Confessional evangelical seminary of Trinity International University.
Wheaton College Graduate School
Wheaton, Illinois · Non-denominational Evangelical
Graduate biblical and theological studies at Wheaton College.
Other accreditors to know
Faith-based
ABHE
Association for Biblical Higher Education
Faith-based
ATS
Association of Theological Schools
Faith-based
TRACS
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
Faith-based
AARTS
American Accrediting Association of Theological Institutions
Regional
SACSCOC
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Regional
MSCHE
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Regional
NECHE
New England Commission of Higher Education
Regional
WSCUC
WASC Senior College and University Commission
Regional
NWCCU
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
← Back to the full accreditation guide
Accreditation status changes. Recognition details reflect publicly available information as of 2026 — always verify a school's current standing in the accreditor's own directory and the U.S. Department of Education's DAPIP database before enrolling.