North Central Association

The North Central Association (NCA) was an organization that evaluated and accredited schools, particularly colleges and universities, in the central United States. Its purpose was to ensure that institutions met specific standards of quality and rigor in education. Accreditation by the NCA helped students, employers, and other institutions trust that an education provider maintained academic integrity and effectiveness. In 2014, the NCA merged into a larger organization called the Higher Learning Commission, which now serves as the main accrediting body for many regional institutions in the U.S.