© 2019

Accreditation Fee Schedule – IACDE

IACDE Accreditation Fee Schedule
Fees & Financial Information

IACDE Accreditation Fee Schedule

Understand the costs associated with Candidate Status, Full Accreditation review, continuing accreditation maintenance, and optional specialized accreditation Distinctions.

Estimate Accreditation Fees Apply for Eligibility Review
Transparent, Stage-Based Fees

Accreditation Fees Are Assessed as Your Institution Progresses

Institutions do not pay one bundled fee for the entire accreditation process. Candidate Status, Full Accreditation review, and annual maintenance are separate stages. Institutions should submit payment only for the stage communicated or invoiced by IACDE.

Step 1
Eligibility Review Submit institutional information so IACDE can determine whether your organization may proceed.
Step 2
Candidate Status Institutions approved to proceed enter the developmental candidacy stage.
Step 3
Full Accreditation Review The later Full Accreditation review fee is based on institutional enrollment.
Candidate Status

Developmental Accreditation Stage

Candidate Status is available only after IACDE has reviewed the institution and confirmed that it is eligible and approved to proceed.

Candidate Status Fee
$1,365
$1,365 — paid in full
$682.50 × 2 — two-payment option
$341.25 × 4 — four-payment option
Full Accreditation

Full Accreditation Review Fee

This fee is assessed later in the accreditation process and is based on the institution’s enrollment at the applicable stage of review.

Small Institution

1–250 students
$2,500 + 5%
$2,625 total

Medium Institution

251–1,000 students
$3,000 + 5%
$3,150 total

Large Institution

1,001+ students
$4,000 + 5%
$4,200 total
After Full Accreditation

Annual Maintenance

$500 + 5%

$525 total per year. The annual maintenance fee begins after Full Accreditation is awarded and supports continuing compliance, reporting, and quality-assurance requirements.

Optional Specialized Review

Accreditation Distinction

$650

Per program or track where an IACDE Accreditation Distinction is offered. A Distinction requires additional evidence and specialized review. Payment does not guarantee the award.

Planning Tool

Accreditation Fee Calculator

Use this calculator to estimate fees associated with your accreditation pathway. Select your enrollment range and any applicable stages or optional reviews.

This tool is for planning purposes only. Your official invoice and the payment arrangement communicated by IACDE control the amount due.

Important: Candidate Status and Full Accreditation are separate stages. Selecting both below provides a cumulative planning estimate; it does not mean both amounts are due at the same time.
Estimated at $650 per eligible program or track.
Estimated Fee Summary
Candidate Status $1,365.00
Full Accreditation Review $2,625.00
Planning Estimate
Selected stages and services
$3,990.00
This estimate is not an invoice, accreditation decision, guarantee of eligibility, or guarantee of accreditation. Fees may become due at different stages of the accreditation process.
Payment Information

Important Fee Policies

Review the following information before submitting an accreditation payment.

5% Processing Surcharge

A 5% processing surcharge applies only where specifically indicated in the fee schedule. The published totals above show the corresponding amount including that surcharge.

Separate Accreditation Stages

Candidate Status, Full Accreditation review, annual maintenance, and specialized Distinction reviews are separate fees associated with different stages or services.

Candidate Status Payment

Institutions should not submit the Candidate Status fee until IACDE confirms that the institution has been reviewed and is approved to proceed into candidacy.

Accreditation Decisions

Payment of any fee does not guarantee Candidate Status, Full Accreditation, a Distinction, or any particular Commission decision. Decisions remain based on applicable standards, evidence, review, and Commission action.

Accreditation Status Disclosure: Application, eligibility review, payment, Candidate Status, membership, partnership, sponsorship, training, consulting, or participation in an IACDE activity does not by itself constitute Full Accreditation or approval of an institution or program. Candidate Status and Full Accreditation are separate classifications granted only through the applicable IACDE review and decision processes. IACDE is a private, independent quality-assurance and accrediting organization and is not currently recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA.

International Accrediting Commission for Digital Education
8206 Louisiana Blvd NE, Ste B #10025,
Albuquerque, NM 87113
info@iacde.org

Copyright © 2025. International Accrediting Commission for Digital Education (IACDE). All Rights Reserved.

© 2026 International Accrediting Commission for Digital Education (IACDE). Created with ❤ using WordPress and Kubio