Can a school lose its accreditation?

Yes, and it’s not pretty. Schools that fail to meet the standards of their accrediting body can be put on warning, probation, or—if things really go south—have their accreditation revoked altogether. This usually happens when a school isn’t living up to expectations in areas like academics, leadership, or finances. Losing accreditation is a big deal. It can affect everything from enrollment to credit transfers to public perception. But it doesn’t happen overnight. Schools are usually given the chance to make improvements first. So if you hear about a school in “accreditation trouble,” it’s worth digging deeper and asking questions.