5 Prominent Higher Education Associations in USA

Unlike most countries in the world where the function of educational accreditation remains with a government organization, United States has a quality assurance process that is independent of government and performed by private non-profit organizations. Below is a list of higher education associations and organizations in the United States of America:

1. American Council on Education (ACE)

ACE, one of the most influential education associations in USA represents a network of degree-granting institutions, including two and four year colleges, private and public universities, and nonprofit and for-profit entities. The association currently has over 1700 member institutions. Almost 75% of its members have been with ACE for over a decade. ACE’s Center for Internationalization and Global Engagement (CIGE) supports higher education institutions’ internationalization and global engagement strategies after careful analysis of international education trends, issues and programmes. Some of the most prominent members of ACE are: University of California in Berkeley, Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and University of Chicago.

2. Association of American Universities (AAU)

AAU is one of the nonprofit education associations in USA that has 62 leading public and private research universities in USA and Canada.  Founded in 1900, the primary purpose of this organization is to provide a forum for the international US research universities. The focus is on development and implementation of institutional and national policies important to research-intensive universities. Some AAU’s prominent members are: Harvard University, Stanford University, Boston University, and Brown University.

3. Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU)

APLU represents 238 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and higher education institutions. This research, policy, and advocacy organization, founded in 1887, has members all across the United States, the District of Columbia, four US territories, Canada, and Mexico. APLU is North America’s oldest higher education association with prominent member institutions including Colorado State University System, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Dalhousie University, and University of Veracruz.

4. National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU)

NAICU is an organization of over 1,000 United States independent higher education institutions, founded in 1976. The organization meets with policymakers on issues such as those affecting student aid, taxation, and government regulations. A few of the prominent NAICU member institutions are AIB College of Business, Boston Architectural College, Cornell University, and Dominican House of Studies.

5. American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU)

AASCU is a higher education association with around 420 public colleges, universities and systems as members. Members of AASCU work to extend higher education to all citizens, including underserved student populations to ensure economic progress and cultural development. Some of the prominent members of AASCU are: University of Washington, Alabama State University, Florida International University, California University of Pennsylvania, etc.