The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is one of seven national organizations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit postsecondary institutions within the United States. It is incorporated as a legally established, private 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the authority on the educational quality and institutional effectiveness of higher education institutions in the seven-state Northwest region of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. The Commission also recognizes higher education institutions internationally, including Canada. NWCCU is also recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The Commission oversees accreditation for 162 institutions. Its decision-making body consists of up to twenty-six Commissioners who represent the public and the diversity of higher education institutions within the Northwest region.