Ivan Reyes asked Shima Hajimirza, Stevens Institute of Technology AddedTuesday, December 15, 2020 at 11:22 PM How important is ABET accreditation? Is an engineering degree still valuable to employers if the college is regionally accredited but not ABET accredited? I recently applied to school called ECPI university. I want to pursue a bachelor's degree in mechatronics at this school but they are not ABET accredited Related to Choosing a Degree, Choosing a School, Mechanical, Preparation for College, Special fields and Interdisciplinary Reset Sort By Default EngineerGirl Team , Answered Friday, April 11, 2025 at 2:34 PM Response provided by the ABET Senior Director of Communications Thank you for your thoughtful question. ABET plays a critical role in providing quality assurance for programs in engineering, as well as in applied and natural science, computing, and engineering technology. It is globally recognized as evidence that a program meets the standards set by the technical professions it serves. It’s important to note that ABET accredits individual programs—not degrees, departments, colleges, institutions, or individuals. This means that even if a school is regionally accredited (which ensures institutional standards), ABET accreditation specifically signals that a program is aligned with the expectations of employers, industry leaders, and licensing boards in technical fields. While graduation from a non-ABET-accredited program does not automatically disqualify someone from career success, it may limit certain opportunities. For example, some employers specifically seek graduates from ABET-accredited programs, and it may impact your eligibility to pursue licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE), which often requires a degree from an ABET-accredited program. Accreditation is just one factor to consider, but for students pursuing careers in engineering or related disciplines, it’s a significant one. If you’re considering a program like the one at ECPI University, you may want to reach out to employers in your desired field or check with your state licensing board to understand how the absence of ABET accreditation might affect your career goals. You can also watch the video in this post to learn more about ABET and its role in engineering education. We hope this helps clarify the importance of ABET as you plan your educational path!