January 6, 2026
Colombia has one of the most structured and transparent higher education systems in Latin America—but understanding who does what can be confusing for institutions, employers, and even seasoned credential evaluators. Questions frequently arise around which body officially recognizes universities, where to verify approved programs, and how quality assurance is determined.
This guide breaks down the three key authorities that govern higher education in Colombia and explains how they work together an essential reference point for international admissions, employment, licensing, and credential evaluation decisions.
- Ministerio de Educación Nacional (MEN): Legal Authority and Oversight
The Ministerio de Educación Nacional (MEN) or Ministry of National Education is the primary government authority responsible for higher education in Colombia.
MEN has legal authority to:
- Establish national education policy
- Authorize and recognize public and private higher education institutions
- Approve academic degree programs
- Supervise institutional compliance with Colombian higher education law
Without recognition by MEN, a university or degree program does not have official legal standing in Colombia. For credential evaluators, MEN recognition is the first and most critical verification checkpoint.
Official website: https://www.mineducacion.gov.co
- SNIES: Official Registry of Recognized Institutions and Programs
The Sistema Nacional de Información de la Educación Superior (SNIES) operates under MEN and serves as Colombia’s official higher education database.
SNIES provides:
- A publicly accessible registry of recognized higher education institutions
- Listings of authorized academic programs (undergraduate and graduate)
- Institutional status, locations, and program approval history
For international evaluation purposes, SNIES confirmation is essential to verify whether:
- An institution was officially recognized at the time of study
- A specific degree program was formally approved
SNIES does not accredit quality; it confirms legal recognition and authorization.
SNIES database: https://snies.mineducacion.gov.co
- CNA: Quality Accreditation (Not Recognition)
The Consejo Nacional de Acreditación (CNA) is responsible for high-quality accreditation in Colombia.
Key points to understand:
- CNA accreditation is voluntary, not mandatory
- Accreditation evaluates academic quality, institutional governance, faculty, research, and outcomes
- A lack of CNA accreditation does not invalidate a degree
In other words, MEN recognizes, SNIES lists, and CNA accredits for quality.
For evaluators and institutions, CNA accreditation may be relevant for:
- Competitive admissions decisions
- Employer or licensing board assessments
- Comparative quality analysis
CNA website: https://www.cna.gov.co
Why This Distinction Matters in Credential Evaluation
At ACEI, we frequently encounter cases where:
- Institutions are assumed unrecognized due to lack of accreditation
- Programs are questioned without SNIES verification
- Quality assurance is confused with legal validity
Understanding Colombia’s framework allows for accurate, defensible, and fair evaluations that are aligned with international best practices and grounded in authoritative sources.
With over 30 years of experience researching global education systems, ACEI applies this layered understanding to ensure that Colombian credentials are reviewed in their proper regulatory and academic context.
References
- Ministerio de Educación Nacional (MEN): https://www.mineducacion.gov.co
- SNIES – Sistema Nacional de Información de la Educación Superior: https://snies.mineducacion.gov.co
- Consejo Nacional de Acreditación (CNA): https://www.cna.gov.co
The Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI), was founded in 1994 and is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA. ACEI is a full-service company providing complete and integrated services in the areas of international education research, credential evaluation, training and consultancy. https://acei-global.org/
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