Here you will find list(s) of recognized accrediting organizations as of September 2013. http://www.chea.org/pdf/CHEA_USDE_AllAccred.pdf
Also, it's important to know the difference between programmatic accreditation and institutional accreditation. The document posted by Saharapost separates the two. DETC is an institutional accreditor. It accredits whole schools. ABET is a programmatic accreditor that only accredits programs in engineering, computing, and applied science. Sometimes, programmatic accreditation is just something extra that means a specific program meets higher standards than the general ones required by institutional accreditors. Sometimes, programmatic accreditation is required by a licensing agency. Sometimes, programmatic accreditation is required by most employers in the field. Many subjects don't have any programmatic accreditation that covers them. At the very least, depending on the field, you should make sure the school you attend is institutionally accredited by an agency recognized by CHEA and/or USDoE.
And the other (governmental) one: U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs In the U.S., the federal government doesn't directly determine what is and is not a recognized university. Instead, it recognizes accrediting agencies who, in turn, accredit degree programs and/or institutions. The Council on Higher Education Accreditation performs the same function, but it is a private agency made up of its member accrediting bodies. Accreditation from an agency recognized by either the U.S. Department of Education or by CHEA is considered legitimate. There are plenty of hairs to continue to split among these agencies, but you get the basic idea. Look at the CHEA and USDoE websites for all you need to know about this.
