What Verdica's 770 score means for Claremont School of Theology
Claremont School of Theology received a composite score of 770 out of 850, placing it in the "strong" band (740–799). This score reflects solid performance across the three dimensions Verdica tracks: accreditation standing, student outcomes, and regulatory compliance. For a prospective student, employer, or partner evaluating this institution, a 770 score suggests the school meets established standards and carries meaningful accreditation recognition. It is not a score that flags systemic risk or compliance violations. At the same time, it is not in the "excellent" range (800–850), which means there are measurable areas where performance trails best-in-class peers. The score is based on publicly available regulatory data—accreditation status, Title IV program participation records, and federal education statistics—rather than marketing claims or self-reported data.
How the sub-scores break down
Accreditation (820/850): This sub-score reflects whether the institution holds recognized accreditation from a Department of Education-approved body and whether that status is current and unencumbered. A score of 820 in this dimension is strong, indicating the school's accreditation standing is solid. Accreditation loss, sanctions, or probationary status would lower this score significantly. An accreditation score this high typically means the institution is recognized as meeting baseline quality and operational standards set by its regional or specialized accreditor.
Student Outcomes (670/850): At 670, this is the weakest of the three sub-scores and falls into the "acceptable" band. In the higher education context, student outcomes metrics typically include graduation rates, retention rates, employment outcomes post-graduation, and in some cases wage data for graduates. A score of 670 suggests performance in these areas is adequate but not competitive. This does not indicate failure; rather, it signals that prospective students should review specific outcome data (graduation rates, placement rates, time-to-completion) directly from federal IPEDS disclosures to understand whether the school's performance aligns with their goals.
Compliance (830/850): This sub-score is strong and indicates the school is meeting regulatory obligations tracked by federal education authorities. Compliance data typically reflects Title IV program administration (federal student aid), financial aid packaging practices, student loan default rates, and absence of active investigations or material violations. A score of 830 suggests the school is not flagged for payment integrity issues, cohort default rate violations, or unresolved compliance findings from the Department of Education.
What regulators in CA track for education providers
California and federal education regulators monitor several dimensions of institutional compliance. Accreditation status is verified through the Department of Education's database of recognized accrediting agencies; sanctions, probation, or loss of recognition are public matters that carry serious implications for federal financial aid eligibility. Title IV compliance includes proper administration of federal student loans and grants, accurate financial aid disclosures, and maintenance of acceptable cohort default rates (currently 30% threshold for continued eligibility). Institutions flagged for repeated violations may face restricted aid access or heightened monitoring.
IPEDS data (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) is the federal reporting standard for student enrollments, program completions, graduation rates, and retention. These figures feed into public rankings and consumer decision-making and are audited by federal authorities for accuracy. A low score in student outcomes often reflects IPEDS metrics that trail state or sector averages, signaling either a smaller institution, a high-risk student population, or operational challenges in student completion.
Bottom line
Claremont School of Theology's 770 score indicates a provider with solid accreditation and compliance standing but measurable performance gaps in student outcomes. Someone considering enrollment or partnership should verify current graduation and placement data directly through the school's IPEDS profile and accreditor reports to ensure those outcomes match their expectations.