.edu Domain
.edu is the gTLD reserved for US postsecondary educational institutions, managed by EDUCAUSE since 1985. It requires full, current institutional accreditation from an agency recognized by the US Department of Education.
Domain registration with professional infrastructure
About the .EDU domain
What is the .EDU domain?
Only US postsecondary institutions holding full, complete, and unequivocal institutional accreditation, awarded by an agency on the official list of Institutional Accrediting Agencies of the US Department of Education, can register a .edu domain. It is a strict requirement: accreditation must cover the institution as a whole — as a freestanding entity, not as a program, branch campus, or partial component of another institution — and preliminary or provisional accreditation status is not sufficient to meet eligibility requirements, either at initial registration or renewal. EDUCAUSE verifies this documentation during the application process, also requiring detailed information about the institution and a statement of the domain's educational purpose. For managing the registry, EDUCAUSE charges a reference fee of $77 per year, and institutions must continue meeting accreditation requirements in order to renew their domain.
Only US postsecondary institutions holding full, complete, and unequivocal institutional accreditation, awarded by an agency on the US Department of Education's list of Institutional Accrediting Agencies, can register. Accreditation must cover the institution as a whole, not just programs, branch campuses, or partial components, and preliminary or provisional accreditation status is not sufficient. EDUCAUSE charges a reference fee of $77 per year to manage the domain, and institutions must maintain their accreditation to renew registration. Contact our team to confirm availability and the exact requirements.
Uses of .EDU
Who is the .EDU domain for?
These are the most common situations where .EDU is the ideal extension.
Accredited US universities and colleges
The most direct use: institutions with current full institutional accreditation.
Specialized postsecondary education centers
Technical or professional institutions meeting the accreditation criteria.
Institutions registered before October 2001
Must continue meeting current accreditation requirements to renew.
Excluded: programs, branch campuses, or partial components
Accreditation must cover the entire institution, not just part of it.
.EDU vs other extensions
Which extension suits you best?
Each extension has its own profile. Here we compare .EDU with the most common alternatives to help you choose.
| Extension | Best for | Restrictions | Registration price |
|---|---|---|---|
| .edu This page | US postsecondary institutions with full accreditation | Full institutional accreditation by a recognized agency | $77/yr (reference) |
| .com | Any project with no accreditation requirement | None | $14.99/yr |
Registration process
How to register your .EDU domain at miHosting
Check availability
Type the name you want in the search bar. We show you in seconds whether it's available or if you need to look for alternatives.
Complete registration
Fill in the registrant details and choose whether to add hosting. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes.
Your domain is live
Within minutes your .EDU domain is active and visible from anywhere in the world. DNS propagates in under 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions about the .EDU domain
Can any school register a .edu?
No, only US postsecondary institutions with full institutional accreditation, not provisional or preliminary.
Is accreditation for a specific program enough?
No, it must cover the entire institution as a freestanding entity.
What happens if I lose accreditation?
You won't be able to renew your .edu domain, as it's an ongoing requirement, not just at initial registration.
Who manages the .edu domain?
EDUCAUSE, under a cooperative agreement with the US Department of Commerce. The domain has existed since 1985.
How much does a .edu domain cost?
EDUCAUSE charges a reference fee of $77 per year. Contact our miHosting team to confirm the current price.
Can I register my .edu domain with miHosting?
Yes, if your institution holds current full institutional accreditation. Contact our team to confirm availability and current pricing.
Register your .EDU today
Your .EDU domain.
Your online identity.
Real technicians behind your domain. No complications, no surprises. Full management from your control panel.