Question on American Accreditation

I understand that the DOE (and CHEA) recognize legitimate accreditation agencies in America. Does the Department of Education have any basic standards or recommendations on how to judge an institution of higher learning? Or do accrediation agencies make up their own standards?

Thanks for any response I may receive!

 

The Depart of Education website probaly says it best:

Differently from almost every other country, the US leaves it up to education system itself to establish what is suitable.

The only way the US Dept of Education gets involved is in recognizing accreditation for federal funding.
FINANCIAL AID FOR POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS -Accreditation in the United States

But does ppestablish The criteria for recognizing accreditation