Name of institution: Crestmont University
Address: 101 South Reid Street, Suite 307, Sioux Falls, SD 57103
Phone: 866-687-2258
Year founded: 1996
Crestmont University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Crestmont University meets the requirements to provide postsecondary education in the State of South Dakota pursuant to South Dakota Codified Law 13-48.
Crestmont University has been approved to participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) through the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).
Crestmont University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) and is currently designated as having Provisional Status, effective October 5, 2026.
Crestmont University’s SARA participation is provisional because:
The institution is on provisional or probationary status or the equivalent with its institutional accrediting agency or is subject to a sanction or “show cause” order.
Crestmont University remains accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and is currently operating under a Show Cause Directive.
The University will maintain current information regarding its SARA participation status on this website and will update this disclosure as appropriate.
For questions regarding Crestmont University’s SARA participation or state authorization, please contact the Compliance Department (compliance@crestmontuniversity.edu)
Crestmont University is approved to operate as an out-of-state institution in the State of California by The Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education. ‘Approved to operate’ indicates compliance with state standards as set forth in California Education Code (CEC) section 94801.5 of the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009.
2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 400
Sacramento, CA 95833
(888)370-7589
www.bppe.ca.gov
Crestmont University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Distance Education Accrediting Commission
1101 17th Street NW, Suite 808,
Washington, DC 20036
202-234-5100
Crestmont University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) and is currently operating under a Show Cause Directive issued by DEAC.
Crestmont University remains accredited while the Show Cause Directive is pending. The Show Cause Directive requires the University to demonstrate compliance with specific DEAC accreditation standards.
Scope of the Show Cause Directive
The scope of the directive relates primarily to Crestmont University’s operations and regulatory representations concerning its South Dakota headquarters and California activities, including:
Crestmont University is actively addressing the matters identified in the directive and is preparing its formal response and supporting documentation for submission to DEAC by December 1, 2026. DEAC is expected to consider the matter at its January 2027 Commission meeting.
As part of the Show Cause process, DEAC has also required Crestmont University to maintain a Teach-Out Agreement with an accredited institution offering similar distance education programs. The Teach-Out Agreement is a contingency measure intended to protect students and provide for continuity of their education should it become necessary.
The requirement to maintain a Teach-Out Agreement does not mean that Crestmont University is closing or that its accreditation has been withdrawn.
Crestmont University will keep this disclosure current and provide updates regarding its accreditation status as appropriate.
For additional information or questions regarding Crestmont University’s accreditation status, please contact the Compliance Department at compliance@crestmontuniversity.edu.
Student Complaint Process
Please click on Crestmont’s Student Complaint Process to access state consumer complaint contact information.
Student Body Diversity Information
Crestmont University’s student demographic percentages are based on first-time undergraduate students. The information regarding ethnicity is based on self-reported information from students.
Retention rate is based on the percentage of first-time, part-time bachelor’s-degree-seeking students from the previous fall who are enrolled in the following fall.
The graduation rate for first-time, full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students is 10%, based on students who enrolled in Fall 2017 and completed a program within 150% of the normal time of completion, as reported to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Crestmont University is primarily a graduate institution, and undergraduate students enrolled at Crestmont University do not typically fall into the category of first-time, full-time students.
*This rate is calculated by determining the number of students who complete their program within a period equal to one and a half times (150%) the typical duration for each degree level.
*The retention rate reflects the number of students who continue from one term to the next. Annual retention is the average retention rate for eight terms.
Title IV Compliance
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Crestmont provides reasonable facilities and services available to qualified students with disabilities. For further information, consult our Academic Catalog.
Crestmont University’s non-discrimination policy prohibits discrimination or harassment that violates the law or which constitutes inappropriate or unprofessional limitation of employment opportunity, University facility access, or participation in university activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, protected disability, veteran status, height, weight, or marital status.
Academic Catalog
The Crestmont Academic Catalog contains the following information:
Educational Offerings
A list of Crestmont University’s academic programs can be found in Educational Offerings.
Federal Financial Aid
At Crestmont University, approximately 93% of undergraduate students use financial aid assistance, including federal financial aid, nonfederal financial aid, scholarships, and alternative loans. In 2022-2023, 78% of undergraduate students received Pell Grants.
Federally required data is provided to the National Center for Education Statistics.
