What Verdica's 767 score means for City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College
City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College scores 767 out of 850 on Verdica's composite scale, placing it in the "strong" band (740–799). This score reflects reliable performance across the three dimensions Verdica measures: accreditation standing, student outcomes, and regulatory compliance.
A score in the strong band indicates that the institution meets or exceeds baseline regulatory requirements and demonstrates measurable quality across tracked metrics. For a prospective student, employer, or partner organization, a 767 suggests the college is operating within acceptable norms and has not triggered material compliance concerns among state or federal regulators. This is notably above the "acceptable" threshold (670–739) and reflects sustained institutional stability.
However, the strong band does not equate to excellent status. The college's sub-scores reveal where its performance concentrates and where there is room for improvement—important context for anyone evaluating whether to enroll, transfer credits, or enter a partnership.
How the sub-scores break down
Accreditation: 845 / 850 (excellent)
Accreditation is the primary signal of educational legitimacy and instructional quality. A score of 845 indicates that City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College holds current, unrestricted accreditation from its regional or national accrediting body. This is a foundational requirement: without it, students cannot access federal financial aid, and credits are not widely recognized by other institutions. The near-excellent score here suggests no open compliance deficiencies cited by the accreditor and suggests the institution has successfully navigated periodic reviews.
Student Outcomes: 630 / 850 (elevated)
Student outcomes measures typically track graduation rates, completion rates, transfer rates, and employment outcomes for graduates. A score of 630 falls into the elevated-risk band (580–669), which signals that performance in one or more outcome categories lags behind peer institutions or federal benchmarks. For a community college like Harold Washington, this could reflect factors such as lower-than-expected degree completion rates, lower persistence between semesters, or modest employment placement rates post-graduation. This is the weakest link in the college's profile and warrants scrutiny if student success is a priority.
Compliance: 835 / 850 (excellent)
Compliance covers Title IV federal financial aid adherence, state licensing requirements, and reporting accuracy to the Department of Education. A score of 835 indicates the college has no material outstanding violations, returns financial aid funds on schedule, and files required institutional data (IPEDS) accurately and on time. This suggests strong administrative controls and a low risk of sudden sanctions or loss of aid eligibility.
What regulators in IL track for education providers
Illinois education providers are monitored by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, regional accreditors, and the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid. Key compliance metrics include:
- Accreditation status: Regional or national accrediting bodies review institutions every 5–10 years and issue warnings or sanctions if curricula, faculty, or financial stability deteriorate.
- Title IV compliance: Institutions must maintain accurate enrollment records, disburse aid correctly, and comply with student loan servicer standards. Violations can trigger audit findings, fines, or temporary aid suspension.
- IPEDS reporting: Colleges must file accurate data on completion rates, enrollment, costs, and outcomes. False reporting can trigger investigations.
- State licensing: Illinois tracks whether institutions meet staffing, facility, and consumer protection standards.
Infractions that move scores downward include unresolved audit findings, accreditation warnings, misreported enrollment or outcome data, and loss of state licensure or financial aid eligibility.
Bottom line
City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College is a strong, operationally stable institution with excellent accreditation and compliance standing. However, its elevated student outcomes score warrants verification—prospective students and partners should cross-check graduation and transfer rates against comparable community colleges to assess fit and value.