California Intercontinental University Celebrates 30-Year Milestone

University marks three decades of student-centered education and expanding access to accredited online programs.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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California Intercontinental University (CIU) is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, marking three decades of providing student-centered education designed to expand access, elevate careers, and multiply possibilities across industries and communities worldwide. Founded in 1996 with a mission to empower entrepreneurs and working professionals, CIU has supported the academic and professional journeys of more than 1,200 graduates over the past 30 years.

Why it matters

CIU's 30-year milestone represents the university's steadfast commitment to offering relevant, in-demand, and accredited online programs that enhance students' professional careers. As demand for flexible, accredited online education has increased globally, CIU's impact has grown steadily, helping early-stage entrepreneurs, senior leaders, and working professionals transform their academic and career trajectories.

The details

CIU earned state approval to grant undergraduate and graduate degrees in 2005 and achieved institutional accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) in 2009. In 2023, the university relocated its headquarters to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and in 2024, it earned programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and became an institutional participant of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). CIU's graduates include business owners who scaled their enterprises, professionals who earned promotions into leadership roles, and lifelong learners who returned to education to redefine their professional trajectories.

  • CIU was founded in 1996.
  • CIU earned state approval to grant undergraduate and graduate degrees in 2005.
  • CIU achieved institutional accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC) in 2009.
  • CIU relocated its headquarters to Sioux Falls, South Dakota in October 2023.
  • CIU earned programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and became an institutional participant of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) in 2024.

The players

California Intercontinental University (CIU)

A university founded in 1996 with a mission to empower entrepreneurs and working professionals through relevant, in-demand, and accredited online programs.

Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)

The accrediting body that granted CIU institutional accreditation in 2009, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

The accrediting body that granted CIU programmatic accreditation for its business programs in 2024.

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA)

The organization that CIU became an institutional participant of in 2024, expanding its ability to serve students across state lines with confidence and compliance.

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The takeaway

CIU's 30-year milestone demonstrates the university's unwavering commitment to providing accessible, accredited, and student-centered online education that empowers entrepreneurs, working professionals, and lifelong learners to advance their careers and create lasting impact in their communities.