What Verdica's 770 score means for Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary received a composite score of 770 out of 850, placing it in the "strong" band (740–799). This score reflects solid compliance performance across the regulatory dimensions Verdica tracks: accreditation standing, Title IV federal aid program compliance, and enrollment and outcome data reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
A score in the strong range indicates that the institution meets regulatory expectations and maintains operational stability as measured by publicly available federal data. It is neither exceptional (the 800–850 "excellent" band) nor concerning (scores below 740). For someone considering enrollment, partnering with, or referring students to Garrett-Evangelical, a 770 score signals that the institution has cleared major federal hurdles and is not flagged for elevated compliance risk.
However, the composite score reflects only what federal regulators and accreditors publicly track. No independent customer reviews are currently indexed for this entity, so the score does not incorporate student satisfaction, employment outcomes beyond aggregate IPEDS data, or qualitative feedback. A reader should treat this score as a regulatory baseline, not a complete picture of institutional quality.
How the sub-scores break down
Accreditation: 820. This sub-score reflects the institution's standing with its accreditor(s). A score of 820 (in the excellent band) indicates that Garrett-Evangelical holds valid accreditation and is not under sanction, probation, or show-cause orders. In the education sector, accreditation is the primary gateway to Title IV eligibility and is actively monitored by the Department of Education. A high accreditation score means the institution has successfully demonstrated compliance with peer-review standards set by its regional or specialized accreditor.
Student Outcomes: 670. This sub-score falls into the "acceptable" band (670–739) and is built from IPEDS-reported data on completion rates, enrollment trends, and other outcome metrics. In theological and graduate education, outcome measures are often harder to standardize than in undergraduate or career-track programs because many students attend part-time, pursue non-credential studies, or enroll for professional development rather than degree completion. A score of 670 suggests the institution's outcomes fall within expected ranges for its sector, though it is not an outlier for performance excellence.
Compliance: 830. This sub-score reflects Title IV compliance history and audit findings. A score of 830 (excellent band) indicates that Garrett-Evangelical has no active Title IV compliance violations, has maintained clean financial or programmatic audits, and is current on all federal reporting requirements. Institutions in this range have not triggered Department of Education enforcement actions or loss of Title IV eligibility.
What regulators in IL track for education providers
The Verdica score relies on three core federal data streams:
Accreditation status is maintained by the accrediting body (in this case, likely the Association of Theological Schools or a regional accreditor). The Department of Education publishes recognized accreditor decisions, including probation, show-cause, and loss-of-recognition actions. Scores drop when accreditation is at risk or lost.
Title IV compliance covers federal student aid program operations. The Department of Education and Office of Inspector General monitor institutions for misuse of federal aid funds, failure to meet enrollment or completion standards, financial stability problems, or violations of student disclosure requirements. Violations trigger audit findings, fines, or in severe cases, aid suspension.
IPEDS data includes enrollment, completion rates, cost, and financial aid information. Regulators use these metrics to identify outliers or trends (e.g., declining completion, rapid enrollment growth, or unexplained cost increases) that may warrant closer review.
Compliance scores rise and fall based on audit outcomes, accreditor decisions, and reported performance metrics—not subjective assessments.
Bottom line
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary scores in the strong range across regulatory measures, with particularly strong accreditation and compliance standing. Anyone considering enrollment or partnership should verify the institution's current accreditation status directly with its accreditor and review its most recent IPEDS data and audited financial statements on the Department of Education website.