Texas A&M Leads Red-State Revolt with Break from SACS: Joins Five-State Accreditor Amid Allegations of Political Power Grab

In a move that is sending shockwaves through the landscape of American higher education, Texas A&M University has officially joined a breakaway accreditation group backed by five Republican-led states, stepping away from the decades-old Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This bold pivot has been hailed by supporters as a necessary challenge to a “monopolized” and “ideologically biased” system — but critics are sounding the alarm, warning that the real aim is political control, not educational improvement.

The announcement confirms that Texas A&M is aligning with the fledgling American Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions (ACRAC), a newly formed coalition driven by leaders in Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. The move positions Texas A&M, one of the nation’s largest public universities, as a central figure in a conservative-led uprising against the traditional structure of academic accreditation, long overseen by regional bodies like SACS.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have both championed the transition as a blow against what they call “liberal dominance” in higher education. Their administrations argue that legacy accreditors such as SACS wield too much unchecked power and operate with agendas that are increasingly out of step with state values and academic freedom.

Opponents of the shift argue that it amounts to a dangerous politicization of the accreditation process — one that could ultimately undermine the credibility of degrees and the academic reputation of institutions involved.

The decision also raises major questions for students, especially those relying on federal financial aid. Accreditation is a critical requirement for institutions to remain eligible for federal student loans and grants. While ACRAC has filed to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, that approval process is rigorous and could take years.

For now, Texas A&M remains accredited by SACS, but the university says it will begin the formal process of transitioning its accreditation status to the new ACRAC body. University leadership has assured students that their current degrees and academic progress will not be impacted in the short term.

This development did not come out of nowhere. Tensions between conservative lawmakers and accrediting agencies have been simmering for years. Florida’s clash with SACS over the accreditation of New College of Florida and the political appointment of former Republican politicians to key university leadership roles sparked national headlines. Texas lawmakers followed suit, scrutinizing what they saw as SACS’s bias in curriculum oversight and governance issues.

With momentum growing across multiple GOP-led states, the birth of ACRAC represents the first coordinated effort to upend the existing system — a move that could have long-lasting ripple effects far beyond the South.

Already, advocacy groups and faculty associations are gearing up for a fight. The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) released a statement condemning the move, calling it “a thinly veiled attempt to subvert institutional independence.”

There are also potential consequences for faculty recruitment, student transfers, and research funding. Accreditation plays a major role in everything from faculty hiring to grant eligibility. Critics fear that detaching from SACS may isolate Texas A&M and others involved in the coalition from established academic networks.

Despite the looming uncertainty, supporters of the move believe it’s a calculated risk worth taking. They argue that disrupting the current system is the only way to prevent continued “ideological encroachment” and ensure that universities reflect the values of the communities they serve.

Texas A&M’s decision is expected to be the first of many. Insiders suggest that other prominent institutions in the five-member coalition are preparing to make similar announcements in the coming months.