Annual Institutional Update

The Annual Institutional Update (AIU) is one of the approaches used by the Commission to monitor an institution in accordance with the  Accreditation Review Cycle and Monitoring Policy and Procedures. The Commission monitors data using indicators and metrics in four categories: student achievement, annual enrollment, financial health, and federal financial responsibility. AIU data are aggregated into trends for use in other monitoring and review processes. The Commission requires the use of the 2026 AIU Dashboard as one source of information in the accreditation decision-making process.

The Commission has continued to update its approach to the AIU with an effort at time and cost savings for institutions. Every year institutions enter or verify institutional data. The Commission has scheduled communications for 2026 AIU that will be sent to key contacts.

The AIU is a mandatory activity in accordance with the Accreditation Review Cycle and Monitoring Policy and Procedures.

General AIU Resources

AIU Indicators and Metrics

2026 AIU Webinar: IPEDS and Non-IPEDS

Anticipated timeline for the 2026 AIU

August 2026 – AIU Dashboard available (IPEDS provisional data)  

October 2026 – Non-IPEDS institutions submit data to MSCHE  

January 2027 – AIU Dashboard refreshed (IPEDS revised final data and non-IPEDS institution data)  

September 2027 – AIU results and feedback provided to institutions  

IPEDS Institutions

The Commission will use Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data for the 2025 AIU and make data available through a dashboard for IPEDS institutions.

The 2026 AIU Dashboard becomes available on the Commission’s website on August 17, 2026.

Institutions that submit data to IPEDS are not required to take any additional action when the dashboard opens. If the data reported to IPEDS needs to be revised, institutional representatives must reach out directly to IPEDS.

2026 AIU Dashboard

Non-IPEDS Institutions

Not all institutions in the Commission’s membership participate in IPEDS. Institutions that do not submit data to IPEDS will submit AIU data between October 21-November 11, 2026. AIU data will then be added to the 2026 AIU Dashboard.