Compared to most other higher education systems around the world, the U.S. system is largely independent from federal government regulation and is highly decentralized.
It is also incredibly vast – there are public institutions and private, very large and very small, secular and religiously affiliated, urban, suburban, and rural. Such options means that there is a "right fit" institution for every qualified student.
°Õ³ó±ðÌýÌýpresents a general view of U.S. post-secondary education, as well as in-depth information on U.S. educational structure, accreditation practices, and links to state and federal education agencies and organizations.
An important reference for understanding how U.S. institutions of higher education compare to one another is theÌý. Ìý°Õ³ó±ðÌýCarnegie classification system divides all accredited degree-granting institutions into categories that define aspects like the highest level degree they grant or the special fields of study they offer.
The U.S. higher education arena contains a variety ofÌýnot-for-profitÌýassociations that promote the professional development of people within the field of international higher education and work to expand awareness of issues related to it, including international student recruitment, international student admissions and retention, international student services, and comprehensive campus internationalization. Examples of such associations include theÌýÌý(ACE), theÌýÌý(AACRAO); theÌýÌý(AASCU); theÌý(AACC); theÌý(NACAC);Ìý; theÌýÌý(NAGAP); and theÌýÌý(OACAC).
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