List of unaccredited institutions of higher education

This is a list of colleges, seminaries, and universities that do not have educational accreditation. In many countries, accreditation is defined as a governmental designation.

Degrees or other qualifications from unaccredited institutions may not be accepted by civil service or other employers. Some unaccredited institutions have formal legal authorization to enroll students or issue degrees, but in some jurisdictions (notably including the United States) legal authorization to operate is not the same as educational accreditation.[1][2]

Institutions that appear on this list are those that have granted post-secondary academic degrees or advertised the granting of such degrees, but which are listed as unaccredited by a reliable source. There are several reasons for an institution not maintaining accreditation. A new institution may not yet have attained accreditation, while a long-established institution may have lost accreditation because of financial difficulties or other factors. Some unaccredited institutions are fraudulent diploma mills.[3] Other institutions (for example, a number of Bible colleges and seminaries) choose not to participate in the accreditation process because they view it as an infringement of their religious, academic, or political freedom.[4] Some government jurisdictions exempt religious institutions from accreditation or other forms of government oversight.[5] Still other institutions are not required to have accreditation.

Some of the institutions on this list are no longer in operation. Several unaccredited universities have names that are similar to those of accredited institutions, and thus some persons may be misled into thinking that an entity is an accredited university. Accreditation is date-related: in the United States, colleges and universities are typically not fully accredited until several years after they open. Also in the United States, many colleges and universities existed prior to the development of the modern accreditation system.[6]

There are many organizations which give their own accreditation, not generally recognised as valid by governments and others, to educational institutions. Many of these are listed in the article List of unrecognized higher education accreditation organizations. Some of the educational institutions listed here claim accreditation from such organizations.

A

B

C

D

E

  • Eagles International Training Institute, Texas;[154] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Earlscroft University UK, Ireland and Seychelles[10][16][19][26]
  • Earlstown University, UK;[18] closed in 2012
  • EarthNet Institute, Hawaii[16][19]
  • Eastern Caribbean University, Texas;[16] closed in 2006
  • East Point University, Oregon;[19] closed in 2006
  • Eastern Theological Seminary, Virginia;[155] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Eastgate Christian College, Tennessee (also known as Eastgate Creative Christian Fellowship);[156] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Ecole Supérieure Robert de Sorbon, France[19][157][158][10][159][160][161]
  • Edenvale University, Texas;[16][19] closed in 2016
  • Edison University, Oregon[19]
  • EduKite, UK; falsely claims to be part of Ebrahim College[162]
  • Elevate Leadership Institute, Illinois; overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Ellington University, Texas[16][132]
  • Emmanuel Bible College and Seminary, California; overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Emmanuel Theology Seminary, North Carolina; overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Emmaus Baptist College, Florida[163]
  • Endtime Ministries International Bible University, California; overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Energy Medicine University, California[164]
  • Eurasia Community College, Italy[10]
  • European American University, Dominica[19]
  • European Carolus Magnus University, Belgium[19]
  • European Continental University, Delaware[19]
  • European Institute of Technology, Italy and San Marino[10] (not to be confused with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology)
  • European Management University International, Denmark[19]
  • European Open University; closed at some point between 2007 and 2010[165]
  • European Union University, Spain[2]
  • European University of Ireland[16][19]
  • Evangel Christian University of America, Louisiana;[166] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Evangelical Bible College and Seminary, Florida (also known as Legacy Church Ministries);[167] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • East-West University, Pakistan[57] (not to be confused with the legitimate East-West University of the same name)

F

  • Fairfax University; Louisiana;[16][19] closed in 2004
  • Faith Christian Academy, Texas;[168] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Faith Christian College, Washington;[169] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Faith Christian University, Florida;[170] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Faith Global Institute, Florida;[171] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Faith Landmarks Bible Institute, Virginia;[172] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Faith School of Ministry, Illinois;[173] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Faith School of Theology; claims accreditation by the unaccredited IASBC (which in actuality is the SAABC)[174][175]
  • Faith Seminary, Massachusetts (formerly known as Oregon Theological Seminary)[101]
  • Famous Word Bible School, Switzerland;[176] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Farington University, Oregon[19][177]
  • Florida State Christian College, Florida[17][25]
  • FountainGate School of Revival, Arizona;[178] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Frederick Taylor University, California[17][179]
  • Frederick Taylor International University, Hawaii and California[17][19][179]
  • Freedom Bible College, Florida;[180] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Free Gospel Bible Institute, Pennsylvania[citation needed]
  • Freie und Private Universität Herisa, Switzerland[10]
  • Fresh Water College of Ministry, Louisiana;[181] was formerly overseen until its closure in 2023[181] by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Friends International Christian University, Florida and California[17][25][182]
  • Frontier Christian University, Indiana (formerly known as Southern Indiana Bible College)[183]
  • Full Gospel Christian College, Michigan;[17][25] closed at some point between 2011 and 2024
  • Fuzion Bible Institute, Florida;[184] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]

G

  • Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith[59]
  • Gateway International Bible Institute, Arizona;[185] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Generale University (also known as Generale Polytechnic Institute), Canada;[186] closed in 2007
  • Geo-Metaphysical Institute, New York;[17][25] closed at some point between 2012 and 2018
  • George Wythe University, Utah[187]
  • Georgian International University, Pennsylvania;[188] unlisted in 2023
  • Gerald Brooks School of Leadership, Texas (also known as the GB School of Leadership);[189] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Glamshire University (also known as Glamshire University Karachi), Pakistan[57][190]
  • Glencullen University, Ireland[191]
  • Glendale University (previously known as Glenndale University)[19][25][192]
  • Glenford University, Mississippi; closed in 2007[43]
  • Global Church Theological Seminary and Global Church University, Maine and Michigan[17][25]
  • Global On-Demand School of Ministry (GODSOM), Illinois;[193] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Global Theological University, Florida;[194] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Glory House International Ministry School, Arizona;[195] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Golden State Baptist College, California[196]
  • Golden State School of Theology, California[197]
  • Golden State University (also known as Honolulu University of the Arts, Sciences and Humanities), Hawaii (originally located in California)[10][43]
  • Grace & Truth Christian University, Florida;[198] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Graham Bible College, Tennessee;[199] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Greenwich University, London;[200] closed in 2002 (not to be confused with the legitimate University of Greenwich)

H

  • Hamilton University, Wyoming[39] (also known as American State University and Richardson University); closed in 2008
  • Harmony Bible Institute Theological Seminary, California;[201] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Hartford University (not to be confused with the legitimate University of Hartford)[18][19]
  • Headway University, Pakistan[202]
  • Heartland Baptist Bible College (formerly known as the Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College), Oklahoma[203]
  • Higher Ground School of Ministry, Florida;[204] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Hill University, Pakistan[18]
  • Holy Bible Center Faith School of Theology, Texas (also known as the HBCF School of Theology);[205] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Holy Spirit Institute College, Thailand[citation needed]
  • Holy Trinity College and Seminary, Florida[206]
  • Honolulu University (also known as Honolulu University of the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities and Golden State University)[10][207]
  • Houdegbe North American University, Nigeria[56]
  • House of God Academy and Bible College Online, South Carolina;[208] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Huntington Pacific University, Michigan;[17] closed and unlisted in 2011
  • Hyles-Anderson College and Hyles-Anderson College Seminary, Indiana[209]

I

J

  • Jacksonville Theological Seminary, Mississippi[85]
  • Jackson Hole Bible College, Wyoming[251]
  • James Monroe University (also called James Monroe International University)[10][252]
  • JC Reigns Bible School, United Kingdom;[253] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Johnson Daves University (also known as Johnson Davids University)[11]

K

  • Kenneth Copeland Bible College, Texas;[254] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Kensington University, California and Hawaii; closed in 2003 by state action[255][256]
  • Kent College, Louisiana[19] (not to be confused with the legitimate Kent College of the same name in the UK)
  • Kentucky Christian University, Kentucky (not to be confused with the accredited Kentucky Christian University of the same name)[25]
  • Kepler College, Washington[257][258]
  • Kingdom College of Natural Health, Micronesia;[259] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Kingdom Development Institute, California;[260] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Kingdom Life University, Florida;[261] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Kingston College, Canada (not to be confused with the legitimate Kingston College); closed in 2006[186]
  • Kingston University, California[18][262]
  • Kingsway Bible University, Iowa (previous known as Mid-States Bible College); claims accreditation from the unaccredited International Association of Bible Colleges and Seminaries[263]
  • Klingon Language Institute, Kentucky (formerly Pennsylvania); does not seek accreditation[264]
  • Knightsbridge University, Denmark and Scotland[18][19]
  • Knoxville College, Tennessee; lost accreditation status in 1996[25]

L

  • Lacrosse University;[10][16][17][27][265] reported closed as of 2007[43]
  • Lambuth University, Tennessee; lost accreditation status in 2010[266]
  • Landford University[18]
  • Lansbridge University[18]
  • LaSalle University, Louisiana[267][268]
  • Last Days Prophetic Training College, California;[269] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Leadway University, Nigeria[56]
  • Libera Università Internazionale G. W. Leibni, Italy[10]
  • Libera Università degli Studi di Formel, Italy[10]
  • Libera Universitas Multidisciplinare Umanitaria perla Cultura Internazionale – LUMUC, Italy[10]
  • Life Bible College, Idaho;[270] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Life Bible Institute, New Mexico;[271] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Life Christian University, Florida;[272] formerly overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Life in Christ International Biblical Institute, New Jersey;[273] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • LifePoint Christian University, Arizona;[274] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • LinkCamPus, Switzerland,[246] (not to be confused with Link Campus University)
  • Lincoln University, Louisiana[275][276]
  • Living Faith School of Theology, South Carolina;[277] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Living Water School of Ministry, South Carolina;[278] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Living Word Bible College, Arizona;[279] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Living Word Bible Training Center, Illinois (also known as the Living Word School of Ministry);[280] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Lobi Business School, Nigeria[56]
  • Logos University International, Florida[281]
  • London College of Technology and Business[282]
  • London External Studies, Nigeria[56]
  • Lorenz University, California;[18][283] closed but still listed as of 2009
  • Los Angeles University, California[18]
  • Louisiana Baptist University (formerly Baptist Christian University)[284][285]
  • Louisiana Christian University, Louisiana[25]
  • Lahore Metropolitan University, Lahore[57]

M

  • Macedonia Theological Seminary, New York (also known as Macedonia International University);[286] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Madison University, Mississippi[17][27][85][130][287]
  • Maharana Patap Shiksha Niketan Vishwavidyalaya, India[59]
  • Mahila Gram Vidyapith, India[59][288]
  • Maithili Vishwavidyalaya, India[59]
  • Management Institute of Canada[19]
  • Marquis Open University, Italy[10]
  • Master's International School of Divinity, Indiana[101]
  • McFord University, Pakistan[289]
  • Metropolitan Collegiate Institute (associated with the fake teaching hospital Sussex General Hospital, both purportedly in London)[290]
  • Metro University, Nigeria[56]
  • Miami Christian University, Florida[17]
  • MICAR Christian University, Florida;[291] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Mid-States Bible College, Iowa (now Kingsway Bible University)[263]
  • Midtown University, Florida or Panama[292]
  • Miranda International University, Italy[10]
  • Mississippi International University, Mississippi[43]
  • Monticello University, Hawaii and Kansas;[293][294] closed in 2000
  • More Than Conquerors College, North Carolina;[295] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Mountain States Baptist College, Montana;[296] part of Independent Baptist Bible College Movement[297]
  • MUST University, California[11][298] (not to be confused with legitimate schools with similar names that include "University of Science and Technology" after the letter M)

N

  • National University of Nigeria, Nigeria[56]
  • National University of Electro Complex Homeopathy, India[215][216]
  • New Age International University, Principality of Seborga[299][300]
  • New England School of Metaphysics, Connecticut[301]
  • New England State University[18]
  • New Jerusalem Academy, Florida (also known as NJ Academy);[302] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • New Life Bible College, Tennessee;[303] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • New Life Temple Bible College and Leadership Institute, Ohio;[304] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • New Testament Christian Seminary, Washington[citation needed]
  • New Testament Church School of Theology, Louisiana[citation needed]
  • Newburgh Theological Seminary, Indiana;[305][306] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Newton University, Hawaii and Oregon;[11] closed in 2016
  • New Tribes Bible Institute, Michigan and Wisconsin[17][307]
  • New West Seminary, Oregon[101]
  • NextDimension University, California;[308] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Nightingale University, Panama and Melbourne[11][17][25]
  • Nobel University, South Korea[11]
  • Non-Traditional University of USA (also known as the University of USA), Italy[10]
  • North American Reformed Seminary, Arizona[309]
  • North Carolina Theological Seminary, North Carolina;[310] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • North Central University, Nigeria[56]
  • Northfield University[18]
  • North Lexington University, Massachusetts[11]
  • North Norway University, Norway and Panama[11]
  • Northwestern Christian University, Florida[311]
  • Northwestern International University, Ltd., Denmark[11] (not to be confused with other schools named Northwestern University)
  • Norway University (also known as the University of Norway), Norway[11]
  • Novus University or Novus University International, Diamondhead, Mississippi[11][27][43]
  • Novus University School of Law, California (also known as Novus University Law School)[312][313]
  • Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Open University), Aligarh[58]
  • National University of Electro Complex Homeopathy, Kanpur[58]

O

P

Q

  • Quantum University, Hawaii[327]
  • Queenston University, Vanuatu, and Australia[17][19][25]
  • Quaid e Azam University of Pakistan, Lahore[57]

R

  • Raja Arabic University, India[59]
  • Randford University, Florida and California[18]
  • Real Knowledge Bible College, California;[328] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Redding University[16][18][19][329][330]
  • Redeemed Life University, Illinois;[331] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Regent International University[19][332] (not to be confused with the legitimate Regent University)
  • Restorative Christian University, Texas;[333] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Revans University, Vanuatu (also known as the University of Action Learning)[231]
  • Rev. D.O. Ockiya College of Theology and Management Sciences, Nigeria[56]
  • Revival Today Bible Institute, Pennsylvania;[334] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Richmond Open University, Nigeria[56]
  • Ridgewood University, Ohio and Florida[18]
  • River Bible London Institute (also known as River Bible Institute London), Hertfordshire;[335] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • River Bible School of Minnesota, Minnesota;[336] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • River Church Baltimore School of Business, Maryland (also known as the River School of Business);[337] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • River Church Baltimore School of Ministry, Maryland;[338] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • River Impact University, Oregon (includes the TRAX School of Ministry, TRAX School of Government TRAX School of Worship and TRAX Career Training Center, and co-operated alongside the River Learning Academy under TRAX);[339] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • River Learning Academy, Oregon (co-operated alongside the River Impact University under TRAX(;[340] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • River of Life World Outreach Bible College; Tennessee;[341] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • River Southwest School of Ministry, Florida;[342] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Rochville University, Texas;[63][252] closed in 2012 (not to be confused with the legitimate University of La Rochelle)
  • Rocklands University, Maryland[19][343]
  • Royal University Izhia, Nigeria[56]
  • Rushmore University, Cayman Islands and South Dakota[17][19]
  • Rutherford University (previously known as Senior University and Stratford International University)[19][186]
  • Rawal Open International University of Alternative Medicine, Pakistan[344]
  • Raja Arabic University, Nagpur[58]

S

T

U

V

  • Vallejo Bible College, California;[429] overseen by the unaccredited Transworld Accrediting Commission International[8]
  • Valley University[18]
  • Vancouver University Worldwide, Canada; not longer operating as of 2008[186]
  • Varanaseya Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Indian[59]
  • Vision International University, California[430]
  • Volta University College, Ghana and Nigeria[56]
  • Vocational University, India[86]
  • Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment, India[58]

W

Y

Z

See also

References