Membership Criteria

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The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) has four types of membership: Institutional, International, Associate, and Affiliate. CIC's membership now numbers more than 580 colleges, universities, and organizations.

Current membership lists:

Colleges and Universities (Institutional, International, and Associate Members)
Organizations and Associations (Affiliate Members)

Institutional Membership

Institutional members are independent colleges and universities of liberal arts and sciences. Currently, more than 590 institutions are CIC members. Membership has grown dramatically over the last decade, with a near perfect retention rate. Click here for a current membership list.

Eligibility. In order to qualify for Institutional Membership, an institution must:

be a nonprofit (501(c)3 IRS status), independent, small to mid-sized institution;
offer a program leading to a bachelor of arts degree or its equivalent;
demonstrate a commitment to liberal arts and sciences by such means as requiring for graduation approximately one-third of all courses taken to be in those fields;
offer several areas of concentration in the liberal arts and sciences disciplines, or enroll a large percentage of all students in these programs;
possess at least Candidacy status of a United States regional association; and
have been in operation for a minimum of three years.

Benefits. Member institutions receive a range of benefits.

Dues. Click here for the dues schedule for the 2010-2011 academic year.

If you are interested in joining, please complete the application form. For additional information or if you would like us to send you additional materials, please call us at (202) 466-7230 or email us at memberservices@cic.nche.edu.

International Membership

International members are independent, baccalaureate degree-granting institutions whose main educational programs and facilities are located outside the United States. Click here for a current membership list.

Eligibility. An institution outside of the United States must meet the accreditation standards set by the governing body of education in its country that is deemed comparable to that of American independent liberal arts institutions.

Dues. Annual dues are $900.

Associate Membership

Associate members are nonprofit, independent, associate's degree-granting colleges of liberal arts and sciences. Click here for a current membership list.

Eligibility. In order to qualify for Associate Membership, an institution must:

be a nonprofit (501(c)3 IRS status), independent, small to mid-sized institution;
offer a program leading to an associates degree or its equivalent;
demonstrate a commitment to liberal arts and sciences by such means as requiring for graduation approximately one-third of all courses taken to be in those fields;
offer several areas of concentration in the liberal arts and sciences disciplines, or enroll a large percentage of all students in these programs;
possess at least Candidacy status of a United States regional association; and
have been in operation for a minimum of three years.

Dues. Annual dues are $900.

Affiliate Membership

CIC Affiliate Members are nonprofit educational associations and organizations serving independent colleges and universities. Click here for a current membership list.

Eligibility. In order to qualify for Affiliate Membership, an organization must be considered nonprofit (501(c)3 IRS status), and it must serve independent colleges and universities.

Dues. Annual dues are $295.