The Center for Excellence in Higher Education (CEHE) was a private, nonprofit organization that operated several for-profit colleges in the United States until its closure in 2021. Founded in 2006, CEHE initially functioned as a research organization before acquiring Stevens-Henager College and its affiliated institutions in 2012, including CollegeAmerica, California College San Diego, and Independence University. CEHE faced significant regulatory scrutiny throughout its operation. In 2020, a Colorado state judge ruled against the organization in a consumer protection lawsuit, finding that CEHE had engaged in deceptive practices regarding student recruitment and loan programs. The organization was ordered to pay $3 million in penalties. The institution offered various degree programs primarily through online and hybrid learning models, focusing on healthcare, business, technology, and graphic arts. CEHE’s schools operated primarily in the western United States, with physical campuses in Utah, Idaho, and Colorado. In 2021, CEHE announced the closure of all its institutions following the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to terminate federal financial aid eligibility for its schools. This decision affected thousands of students across its various educational institutions. The organization’s accreditor, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), also withdrew accreditation from CEHE’s institutions prior to closure.