Credential Evaluation for International Students - WES, ECE, ACEI

Students planning to study abroad, especially in the United States, must understand the importance of credential evaluation.

Many American universities now require international applicants to have their academic transcripts evaluated and certified by designated agencies. Without this certification, applications may not be accepted.

This step is essential when applying to study abroad and should be included in your checklist. A certified evaluation provides universities with a clear understanding of your previous academic performance, coursework, and GPA.

What is Credential Evaluation?

Credential evaluation is the formal process of reviewing academic records obtained outside the U.S. or Canada. During this process, an independent evaluation agency examines your transcripts, degrees, or certificates and converts them into the equivalent North American education standards.

The evaluation report informs universities, licensing boards, and immigration officials about:

• Your academic background
• Level of education attained
• Course credits and grades in U.S./Canadian equivalents

These evaluations help institutions verify the authenticity of documents and compare candidates from different education systems fairly. They are required for:

• Graduate or undergraduate admissions
• Professional licensing
• Immigration
• GPA conversion

Many people may ask: Don’t domestic universities provide the final official transcript? Can’t this be counted?

It depends on the situation, as it is true that not all universities require international students to obtain a transcript certification.

Do All Universities Require Credential Evaluation?

Not necessarily. Here are the most common scenarios:

• Mandatory Requirement: If a university explicitly states that a credential evaluation is required, you must complete it.
• Recommended: If the university recommends it or mentions it as optional, it’s strongly advised to submit one, as it can strengthen your application.
• Unclear or Not Mentioned: If it’s not mentioned, you can skip it—but doing so may delay processing or risk rejection.
• Best Practice: Even when not required, many students still choose to submit an evaluation for a smoother and more professional application.
• Typical Scenarios Requiring Evaluation
  • Undergraduate transfer students
  • Graduate programs in business, medicine, and public health

Tip: Always check the university’s official website for up-to-date transcript evaluation requirements.

Why Credential Evaluation is Important

There are over 195 countries in the world, but only about 67 have English as an official language. Each country has its own unique education system, grading methods, and degree structures.

Universities in the U.S. need to assess international transcripts using a standard system to:

• Understand applicants’ qualifications
• Prevent academic fraud
• Maintain fair admission standards

Some institutions also require documents verified by the respective country’s Ministry of Education, adding an extra layer of credibility.

Some universities have their own credential evaluation departments, meaning they don’t require third-party evaluations. This is why not all institutions mention external evaluation services; it’s handled internally.

Transcript Evaluation Guidelines

Unless a university specifically prohibits the use of third-party services, most will designate evaluation bodies or associations.

The university will only accept transcripts evaluated by its designated agency. Submissions from non-approved sources are considered invalid.

Common Certification Service Association

The organizations designated by American colleges and universities are mainly (not limited to) the following:

● National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES)

● Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE)

● American Evaluation Association (AEA)

● European Association of International Education (EAIE)

● American Translation Association (ATA)

● NAFSA: Association of International Educators (NAFSA)

● American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)

● America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST)

Each of these associations includes multiple recognized credential evaluation agencies. Popular evaluators like WES and ECE are members of NACES, and many universities specifically require evaluations from agencies affiliated with one of these associations.

In some cases, universities offer flexibility and accept evaluations from any reputable agency that is a member of one of the above associations.

If your university doesn’t specify a particular agency and provides only a list of accepted associations, visit the official websites of those associations to explore the agencies that meet the school’s evaluation criteria.

When in doubt, always confirm with the university directly to avoid delays or issues with your application.

Top 3 Credential Evaluation Services You Need to Know: ACEI, WES, ECE

1. ACEI (Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute)

• Evaluates academic and professional documents of individuals educated outside the U.S
• Provides academic equivalence aligned with U.S. standards
• Member of AICE (Charter and Endorsed)

WES (World Education Services)

Official website link: http://www.wes.org

WES is a nonprofit organization established in 1974 to provide certificate assessments for international students and immigrants who plan to study or work in the United States and Canada.

Headquartered in New York, the United States, it also has a business in Toronto, Canada. It is the largest qualification evaluation company in North America.

WES is a certified member of NACES, which evaluates more than 200,000 certificates annually and automatically translates foreign education into U.S. or Canadian terms.

Certification form:

● Course-by-Course

● Document-by-Document

● CPA Board Evaluation

The method to choose is mainly based on the requirements of American colleges and universities. Generally speaking, course-by-course service is the most commonly used.

Required materials:

● Verified Academic Transcripts

● Domestic Certified Degree Certificates

Certification fee (Course-by-Course :): $205 (ICAP) / $160 (Basic)

ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators)

ECE’s main business is to provide institutions for international students in the United States to handle performance and academic certification evaluation, and also to provide support and training for educational institutions and other enterprises that conduct certificate evaluations. 

ECE certification is also widely accepted in the United States, and its recognition is comparable to that of WES, both of which are NACES-certified members.

Although the scale of ECE is not as large as WES, the cost is relatively low. If the school accepts ECE certification at the time of application, it is also a good choice for everyone.

The ECE certification types selected by most student parties are mainly as follows:

Evaluation Types

1. General: only confirm the authenticity of academic documents and the equivalence of your study institutions and learning programs;
2. General with Grade Average: Provide the same functions as General, but increase the cumulative GPA.
3. Course-by-Course: Provide information about all individual courses, including course names, scores, and credits equivalent to those in the United States.

Required materials:

● Verified Academic Transcripts

● Domestic Certified Degree Certificates

Certification fee (Course-by-Couse:): $195

WES vs. ECE vs. ACEI — Key Differences

When applying to universities in the United States or Canada, choosing the right credential evaluation agency is crucial. Among the most widely recognized agencies are WES (World Education Services), ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators), and ACEI (Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute).

Each of these agencies has its strengths and specialties, and your choice should depend on the university’s requirements, your timeline, and your budget.

Below is a detailed comparison of WES, ECE, and ACEI, covering everything from affiliated associations to report types, processing time, fees, and value-added services.

Criteria	WES (World Education Services)	ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators)	ACEI (Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute)
Affiliation/Recognition	Member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services)	Member of NACES	Member of AICE (Association of International Credential Evaluators)
Types of Reports Offered	– Course-by-Course (Most Common)- Document-by-Document- CPA Board Evaluation	– General Report- General with GPA- Course-by-Course Report	– Basic/General Evaluation- Comprehensive (Course-by-Course)- Special Reports (e.g., for Licensing Boards)
Approximate Fees	– $160 (Basic)- $205 (ICAP Package)	– $110 (General)- $135 (General with GPA)- $195 (Course-by-Course)	– $115 (Basic Report)- $205 (Comprehensive Report)
Processing Time	Average: 7 business days (after receiving all documents)	Average: 5 business days (may vary based on document readiness)	Average: 10 business days (standard processing)
Value-Added Services	– ICAP: Secure document storage and delivery- Courier & sealed envelope options	– Digital Badge (Insignia) for sharing credentials- Extra copies, fast delivery	– Rush Services available- Special Reports for state boards- Multiple credential evaluation options

Step-by-Step Guide to Credential Evaluation

1. Check Requirements

Go to the admissions or licensing page of your target university or board. Confirm:

• Which agencies are accepted
• Required evaluation type (Course-by-Course, etc.)
• Deadlines and instructions

2. Choose an Approved Agency

Compare options based on:

• Evaluation type
• Fees
• Processing time
• Recognition

Select an option that suits both your budget and the school’s requirements.

3. Collect Documents

• Request official, sealed transcripts and certificates from your university
• Arrange for certified English translations, if needed
• Document collection can take 2–4 weeks

4. Apply and Pay

• Create an online account with the agency
• Fill out the form, select the report type, and add recipients
• Pay fees and upload/send documents

5. Verification & Evaluation

• The agency verifies the authenticity of your documents with your issuing institution
• Grades and credits are converted into U.S./Canadian equivalents
• Track status online

6. Report Delivery

• Reports are sent to your university or licensing board (electronically or via courier)
• Extra copies can be ordered at an additional cost

7. Handle Any Delays

If anything is delayed or rejected:

• Use tracking, alerts, and customer support to stay on top of things
• Contact both your university and the evaluation agency

Unlock Your Global Education Goals with Maven Consulting Services

Planning to study in North America? Let Maven Consulting Services, trusted education consultants in Chennai, guide you through the complex and crucial process of credential evaluation.

Whether you need a WES evaluation for Canada PR, an ECE report for U.S. university admissions, or a comprehensive ACEI evaluation for a specialized program, we’re here to help you make the right choice.

Why Choose Maven?

• Expert Guidance on selecting the right evaluation agency
• Assistance with document preparation and verification
• Support in meeting university-specific evaluation requirements
• Help with transcript submissions, sealed envelopes, courier services, and more
  
• Personalized strategies for graduate programs, undergraduate transfers, and professional licensing

Our Credential Evaluation Support Includes:

• WES (World Education Services) application help
• ECE document submission and report tracking
• ACEI special reports for U.S. state boards
• Translation and notarization assistance
• University deadline tracking and follow-ups

Ready to Get Started?

Contact Maven Consulting Services today to streamline your credential evaluation process and embark on your global education journey with confidence and clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)