2025 Guide to Accredited Colleges Near Staples, Connecticut
Are you near Staples, Connecticut looking for an accredited college or university where you can earn a degree? Start your search with the Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide.
This guide makes it easy for you to learn about accredited schools offering degrees near Staples, Connecticut, including details about each institution's accreditation history, as well as insight into institutional and programmatic accreditation. You'll also find other helpful information about accredited colleges near Staples, Connecticut, including cost, program completions and online availability.
Accreditation information provided reflects the recognized state approval agencies, as well as institutional and programmatic accrediting bodies from the U.S. Department of Education's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP). Accreditation information listed for each institution may not be comprehensive or complete. Please contact the appropriate agency for the most accurate and current accreditation information. Click here to learn more about the guide.
What is Accreditation & Why Does it Matter?
Make sure the time and money you invest in your education is well spent by doing your research on accreditation. Accreditation is validation that the degree you're earning meets acceptable levels of quality. In the United States, accreditation is granted by accrediting organizations, as well as state and federal governmental agencies.
Institutional and programmatic are two main types of accreditation.
Accreditation: Institutional vs. Programmatic
Institutional Accreditation
Granted as a result of a voluntary examination of a school's academic and organizational structure.
What it Impacts:
- Financial Aid
- Corporate Tuition Reimbursement
- Credit Transfer
Programmatic Accreditation
Focuses on a specific department or program/field of study.
What it Impacts:
- Licensure
- Certification
- Employment
Sponsored
Accredited College Providing Quality Degrees for Students
Nonprofit and dedicated to student success, Franklin University was founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, to provide high-quality academic programs aligned with workforce needs. Franklin demonstrates its quality through institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and programmatic accreditation for educator preparation (CAEP), nursing (CCNE) and specific business (IACBE) programs. In addition, the University is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security for its cybersecurity programs.




About these Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission
Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
Franklin University has been designated as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense since 2019, by the National Security Agency and its federal partners. Our B.S. in Cybersecurity received the program of study designation in 2019 and the M.S. in Cybersecurity program was designated in 2024. These designations were awarded as a result of a thorough investigation into the University's cybersecurity curriculum, faculty credentials, and competence in research and student involvement in cybersecurity activities.
For more information about the National Security Agency's Centers of Academic Excellence, please click here and for more information about the CAE Community, please click here.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, post-graduate APRN certificates, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Franklin University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
The School of Education at Franklin University holds accreditation for its initial-level educator preparation programs through June 2027 from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 223-0077. The following bachelor's degree and post-baccalaureate initial-level licensure programs were included in the CAEP accreditation review: Adolescence to Young Adult Education (7-12), Intervention Specialist: Mild-Moderate (K-12), Middle Childhood Education, and Primary Education (PK-5).
For more information about the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, please click here.
International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
The Ross College of Business at Franklin University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please view our IACBE member status page. Click here to see our IACBE Public Disclosure of Student Achievement. For more information about the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, please click here or visit www.iacbe.org.
Find Franklin Programs With Programmatic Accreditation:

Bachelor's Degrees:
Associate Degrees:
Master's Degrees:
Doctoral Degrees:
Programs accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education are committed to continuous assessment and improvement, which results in graduates that are in-tune with current thinking and best practices in business around the world.

Bachelor's Degrees:
Accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation signifies that teacher preparation programs meet national standards for ensuring that graduates are equipped with the skills to be effective classroom teachers.

Designation by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a Center of Excellence in Cyber Defense Education validates an institution’s quality and commitment to producing highly-qualified cybersecurity professionals.

Master's Degrees:
Doctoral Degrees:
Post-Graduate Certificates:
Through a peer-review accreditation process, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education holds U.S. nursing programs to a common quality standard as they prepare nurses for certification, employment and advanced education.
97% of graduating students believe their Franklin degree will help or has already helped them achieve their goals.
Source: Graduating Student Survey
Accredited 4-Year Private Nonprofit Colleges & Universities Near Staples, Connecticut
Institutional Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission is the institutional accreditor for Franklin University. The institution has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1976. The latest accreditation action concerning Franklin University occurred in 2025 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Franklin University from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Franklin University are adults and all programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 88 associate degrees, 1,429 bachelor's degrees, 616 master's degrees and 38 doctoral degrees were completed at Franklin University.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
Franklin University has programmatic accreditation for 46 of its academic programs including accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education for nursing degree and post-graduate certificate programs, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation for initial-level licensure programs, and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education for specific business and accounting programs. In addition, the University has been designated as a Center of Excellence in Cyber Defense for its cybersecurity programs by the National Security Agency and its federal partners.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Franklin University was $9,577 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $12,060. A total of 2,171 degrees were completed at Franklin University in Franklin University.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$9,577
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$12,060
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Institutional Accreditation
The New England Commission of Higher Education is the institutional accreditor for University of Bridgeport. The institution has been accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education since 1951. The latest accreditation action concerning University of Bridgeport occurred in 2025 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for University of Bridgeport from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend University of Bridgeport are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 44 associate degrees, 425 bachelor's degrees, 635 master's degrees and 69 doctoral degrees were completed at University of Bridgeport.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), University of Bridgeport has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 5 of its academic programs, including accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the Council on Chiropractic Education, Commission on Accreditation. Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at University of Bridgeport was $35,760 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $21,786. A total of 1,173 degrees were completed at University of Bridgeport in University of Bridgeport.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$35,760
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$21,786
Completions By Degree
1,173
Est. Online Degree Availability
46%
Completions by Program Area
Institutional Accreditation
The New England Commission of Higher Education is the institutional accreditor for Fairfield University. The institution has been accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education since 1953. The latest accreditation action concerning Fairfield University occurred in 2025 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Fairfield University from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Fairfield University are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 0 associate degrees, 1,401 bachelor's degrees, 520 master's degrees and 48 doctoral degrees were completed at Fairfield University.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), Fairfield University has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 7 of its academic programs, including accreditation by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council on Education for Public Health, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Fairfield University was $56,360 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $20,740. A total of 1,969 degrees were completed at Fairfield University in Fairfield University.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$56,360
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$20,740
Completions By Degree
1,969
Est. Online Degree Availability
11%
Completions by Program Area
Institutional Accreditation
The New England Commission of Higher Education is the institutional accreditor for Sacred Heart University. The institution has been accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education since 1969. The latest accreditation action concerning Sacred Heart University occurred in 2025 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Sacred Heart University from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Sacred Heart University are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 93 associate degrees, 1,658 bachelor's degrees, 1,307 master's degrees and 79 doctoral degrees were completed at Sacred Heart University.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), Sacred Heart University has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 10 of its academic programs, including accreditation by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, the American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation, the Council on Education for Public Health, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Sacred Heart University was $48,460 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $34,060. A total of 3,137 degrees were completed at Sacred Heart University in Sacred Heart University.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$48,460
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$34,060
Completions By Degree
3,137
Est. Online Degree Availability
47%
Completions by Program Area
Accredited 4-Year Private For-Profit Colleges & Universities Near Staples, Connecticut
Institutional Accreditation
The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges is the institutional accreditor for Paier College. The institution has been accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges since 1970. The latest accreditation action concerning Paier College occurred in 2025 and was Probation or Equivalent or a More Severe Status: Probation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Paier College from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Paier College are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 2 associate degrees, 32 bachelor's degrees, 1 master's degree and 0 doctoral degrees were completed at Paier College.
Other - Provide unlisted or multiple justifications: See attached Commission letter.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Paier College was $28,800 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $15,840. A total of 35 degrees were completed at Paier College in Paier College.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$28,800
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$15,840
Completions By Degree
35
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Accredited 4-Year Public Colleges & Universities Near Staples, Connecticut
Institutional Accreditation
The New England Commission of Higher Education is the institutional accreditor for Western Connecticut State University. The institution has been accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education since 1954. The latest accreditation action concerning Western Connecticut State University occurred in 2025 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Western Connecticut State University from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Western Connecticut State University are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 6 associate degrees, 847 bachelor's degrees, 202 master's degrees and 6 doctoral degrees were completed at Western Connecticut State University.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), Western Connecticut State University has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 4 of its academic programs, including accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council on Education for Public Health, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Western Connecticut State University was $12,763 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $14,319. A total of 1,061 degrees were completed at Western Connecticut State University in Western Connecticut State University.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$12,763
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$14,319
Completions By Degree
1,061
Est. Online Degree Availability
12%
Completions by Program Area
Institutional Accreditation
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is the institutional accreditor for Stony Brook University. The institution has been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 1957. The latest accreditation action concerning Stony Brook University occurred in 2025 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Stony Brook University from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Stony Brook University are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 0 associate degrees, 4,938 bachelor's degrees, 2,263 master's degrees and 562 doctoral degrees were completed at Stony Brook University.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), Stony Brook University has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 26 of its academic programs, including accreditation by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation, the American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, the American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, the American Psychological Association, Commission on Accreditation, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council on Education for Public Health, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the New York State Board of Regents, State Education Department, Office of the Professions (Nursing Education). Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Stony Brook University was $10,560 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $13,943. A total of 7,763 degrees were completed at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook University.