The College of Eastern Idaho’s Early College Program has earned national accreditation from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP), the only accrediting body in the country specifically for programs that allow high school students to earn college credit.
CEI was among just 10 institutions nationwide to receive initial accreditation during the current review cycle, completing a rigorous self-study and peer-review process to qualify. The accreditation is valid for five years.
The program partnered with local school districts to meet nationally recognized standards and served roughly 2,800 students during the 2025-26 school year. Over the past three years, enrollment has grown approximately 20% annually, driven by new school partnerships and rising demand for dual enrollment coursework.
NACEP reviewers specifically praised CEI’s instructional support and student advising operations during the evaluation process.
“We are proud to recognize programs that invest in this rigorous process and demonstrate their dedication to high standards in concurrent enrollment,” said Andrea Roma, NACEP Director of Accreditation.
Dual enrollment programs have become an increasingly popular pathway for Idaho students looking to reduce college costs and get a head start on post-secondary credentials. Similar momentum is building at institutions across the state, including at the University of Idaho, which recently launched three new AI degree tracks aimed at preparing students for emerging workforce demands.
What Comes Next: CEI’s accreditation stands for five years, during which the program will continue operating under NACEP standards. Given its recent 20% annual growth rate, enrollment could approach or exceed 3,000 students in the coming school year as additional district partnerships come online.