What Verdica's 750 score means for Earlham College
Earlham College's composite score of 750 out of 850 places the institution in the "strong" band (740–799), indicating solid regulatory standing and operational compliance. A score at this level reflects an education provider that meets or exceeds baseline federal and state requirements and demonstrates consistent adherence to accreditation standards. For prospective students, parents, or institutional partners evaluating Earlham, this score signals that the college operates within acceptable risk parameters and has not triggered major regulatory enforcement actions.
The takeaway: Earlham is not flagged as a high-risk provider. However, the score is not at the "excellent" threshold (800–850), which means there are measurable areas—particularly student outcomes—where performance lags behind the institution's accreditation and compliance standing. This gap is worth understanding before committing significant time or financial resources.
How the sub-scores break down
Accreditation (845/850): This near-excellent rating reflects strong standing with the relevant regional or national accreditor. In the education industry, accreditation status is the primary gate-keeping mechanism; institutions without valid accreditation lose federal financial aid eligibility and credibility. A score of 845 indicates Earlham maintains good standing with its accreditor and is not under probation, notice of concern, or sanction.
Student Outcomes (585/850): This score falls in the "elevated" band and is the weakest link in Earlham's profile. Student outcomes metrics typically include completion rates, employment rates post-graduation, earnings gains, loan repayment rates, and persistence metrics tracked through IPEDS data and federal loan servicer reports. A score of 585 signals that one or more of these indicators fall below peer or benchmark expectations. This does not necessarily mean Earlham is failing students, but it does mean outcomes are not tracking at the same strength as the college's accreditation or compliance posture.
Compliance (830/850): This strong score reflects adherence to Title IV (federal financial aid) regulations, reporting requirements, and state licensing standards. Institutions with weak compliance scores typically carry unresolved audit findings, misreported enrollment or financial data, or violations of student loan servicing rules. Earlham's 830 rating shows the college is meeting its filing and procedural obligations and is not under active Title IV sanction.
What regulators in IN track for education providers
In Indiana, the primary oversight bodies are the Higher Learning Commission (if Earlham holds HLC accreditation), the U.S. Department of Education (Title IV oversight), and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.
Accreditation status is monitored by regional accreditors through periodic reviews, self-studies, and peer evaluations. Violations that lower accreditation scores include governance failures, financial instability, credential inflation, or unsubstantiated program claims.
Title IV compliance tracks federal aid distribution, student loan origination accuracy, satisfactory academic progress policies, and timely financial aid processing. Common infractions include misallocated aid disbursements, inadequate verification of student eligibility, or failure to report loan data accurately to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).
IPEDS data is the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, a mandatory federal reporting framework covering enrollment, degrees awarded, graduation rates, finances, and workforce outcomes. Institutions that underreport graduation rates, misclassify student populations, or fail to submit timely data receive compliance flags.
Institutions with weak scores in any area typically face heightened monitoring, mandatory corrective action plans, or loss of federal aid eligibility.
Bottom line
Earlham College presents a strong regulatory profile with solid accreditation and compliance standing, but prospective students and partners should investigate the college's student outcomes data more closely before enrolling or partnering. The gap between strong compliance metrics and elevated outcomes measures warrants a closer look at graduation rates, post-graduate employment, and loan repayment performance.