Organized in 1895, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) was one of six regional accreditation bodies in the United States. The NCA served 19 states in the North Central region. The association carried out the functions of accreditation until 2001 where two independent corporations, still components of the association, were formed.

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) oversees higher education accreditation of degree-granting colleges and universities, where the Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (CASI) accredits early childhood through secondary schools, adult-vocational, college preparatory, and non-degree granting post-secondary institutions. In the Fall of 2014 the dissolution of the NCA began. Their duties diminished to holding the Association’s property, including its name, trademarks and records. The HLC and CASI have become standalone organizations continuing to serve as accreditors.

The Higher Learning Commission is a Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The HLC’s purpose is to conduct comprehensive evaluations for continued accreditation at the associate degree level.