North Idaho College has maintained accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) since 1947. This accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education's Secretary for institutional accrediting bodies. The most recent comprehensive review, which focused on Mission Fulfillment and Sustainability, occurred in the spring of 2020. Following this review, the NWCCU reaffirmed the college's accreditation in June 2020.
Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the NWCCU indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one that has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future.
Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation. Accreditation by the NWCCU is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.
An inquiry regarding North Idaho College’s accredited status by the NWCCU should be directed to the administrative staff of the college. Individuals may also contact:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
8060 165th Avenue N.E.
Suite 200
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 558-4224
www.nwccu.org
Individuals who wish to file a complaint about North Idaho College with the Idaho State Board of Education may do so by following the information at boardofed.idaho.gov/higher-education-pr...
Individuals who wish to file a complaint about North Idaho College with its accreditor may do so by following the NWCCU’s complaint process, available online at nwccu.org/complaints/. Complaints must relate to accreditation standards and eligibility requirements.
Student Achievement Indicators
Per NWCCU Standards 1.D.2 and 1.D.3, NIC collects and widely shares a set of student achievement indicators. These indicators include but are not limited to, persistence, completion, retention, and postgraduate success. When practical, NIC disaggregates the data by race/ethnicity, age, gender, socioeconomic status, first-generation status, and any other meaningful category. This approach promotes student achievement and eliminates barriers to academic excellence and success.
Find more information about Student Achievement Indicators
Mission Fulfillment Dashboard
North Idaho College’s Mission Fulfillment Dashboard offers a clear and concise overview of the College's progress toward its strategic objectives. NIC is committed to supporting student success through accessible pathways, strong community partnerships, a unified campus system, and a responsive, student-centered learning environment. The dashboard highlights key areas like student achievement, educational quality, community impact, and the responsible use of resources, reflecting NIC’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
NWCCU Regular Review Reports
North Idaho College works collaboratively with the NWCCU throughout the accrediting body’s typical sever-year review cycle to maintain compliance with the NWCCU’s Eligibility Requirements and Standards.
Information about regular reviews and reports is posted below.
Find more information about the NWCCU’s non-compliance review of NIC.
The NWCCU reaffirmed NIC’s accreditation in July 2020 after a Mission Fulfillment and Sustainability Evaluation during the spring of 2020.
The NWCCU approved NIC’s Ad Hoc Report in July 2018.
The NWCCU approved NIC’s 2016 Mid-Cycle Report in July 2016. The Mid-Cycle Review is a progress report and does not result in recommendations or commendations.
The NWCCU approved NIC’s Year One Self-Study Report and Ad-Hoc Report in July 2014. There were no recommendations or commendations as a result of these reports.
The NWCUU reaffirmed NIC’s accreditation after the college’s Comprehensive Year Seven Evaluation in July 2013 with recommendations and commendations.