For independent, baccalaureate degree-granting colleges and universities of liberal arts.
Institutional Member Benefits
- Leadership Development—Campus leaders and faculty members can participate in programs that allow them to learn from experts and share ideas on a range of timely topics that address key challenges of independent colleges and universities. Most are open only to members while some allow nonmembers to apply while giving preference to members. Among the key programs are:
- Faculty Development—Faculty members can apply to a range of programs that strengthen teaching, learning, and the quality and rigor of education on their campuses, including:
- Institutional Development—Member institutions can participate in consortial and campus team programs that aim to implement new campus initiatives by facilitating candid exchanges among key campus leaders. These opportunities include face-to-face networking, online engagement activities, and a complete set of implementation resources for participating institutional teams. Current programs include:
- Networks
- AI Ready Network—This network fosters learning, shares resources, and increases effective adoption related to artificial intelligence (AI)
- Belong: An Inclusive Learning Network—This network addresses the strategic priority for equitable student success by providing all-campus webinars, monthly “push resources,” microcredentials for faculty and staff, and a campus leader community of practice, all to promote a culture of belonging on your campus that increases student retention.
- Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE)—This is a nationwide network of more than 300 colleges and universities formed to enrich the intellectual and theological exploration of vocation among undergraduate students.
- Online Course Sharing Consortium—This national network provides a cost-saving and revenue-generating opportunity by supporting course sharing among participating institutions. The newly launched Skills Marketplace helps streamline access to credentials and certifications.
- Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP)—This program offers an employee benefit that provides college tuition for full-time employees, their spouses, and their children while offering participating institutions the opportunity to increase revenue for room, board, and fees.
- Resources
- Key Indicators Tool (KIT) and Financial Indicators Tool (FIT) Reports—These free customized benchmarking reports provide national comparisons and information to drive decision making for presidents and boards.
- Solution Center—Members looking to streamline campus operations, increase engagement, or explore the latest in technology, the Solution Center connects you with the tools and services that can take your institution to the next level.
- Digest of Recent Research and Research Reports—Members receive CIC research reports that analyze current trends most relevant to presidents and other leaders of independent colleges and universities.
- Corporate Affiliate Program—CIC works with vendors to provide members with discounted services and products.
- Listservs by Campus Role—Member presidents and most cabinet members can participate in secure discussions with their counterparts at other member institutions to collaborate on best practices and to access an archive of documents and material resources.
- Webinars
- Media Relations—The perspectives of members are represented through CIC using channels such as published op-eds, articles, press releases, books, and national public information programs. CIC continues to collect and analyze data for timely responses to requests from news media or other organizations for data about independent colleges and universities.
- News and Publications—Institutional Members receive timely reports and email alerts on critical issues as well as CIC’s newsletter, The Independent.
Criteria
To qualify for Institutional Membership, an institution must:
- Be a nonprofit (501(c)3 IRS status), independent institution;
- Offer a program leading to a bachelor of arts degree or its equivalent;
- Demonstrate a commitment to liberal arts and sciences;
- Possess at least Candidacy Status of a United States regional or national accrediting association; and
- Have been in operation for a minimum of three years.
Dues
Dues schedules vary by undergraduate enrollment size (full-time equivalent [FTE] enrollment*) and are set by an annual vote of the membership.
2025–2026 Dues Schedule
| FTE Enrollment | Dues Assessment |
|---|---|
| 0-299 | $3,461 |
| 300-599 | $3,903 |
| 600-899 | $4,970 |
| 900-1,299 | $5,435 |
| 1,300-1,699 | $5,902 |
| 1,700-2,099 | $6,364 |
| 2,100-2,499 | $7,094 |
| 2,500-2,999 | $7,840 |
| 3,000-3,499 | $8,577 |
| 3,500-3,999 | $9,330 |
| 4,000-4,499 | $10,086 |
| 4,500-4,999 | $10,830 |
| 5,000+ | $11,564 |
*Using the latest U.S. Department of Education’s IPEDS survey data, you can calculate your FTE for this purpose by adding the number of total full-time undergraduate enrollment to one-third of your part-time undergraduate enrollment; the sum is your total FTE enrollment for the purpose of calculating dues as listed in this table.
For additional information, please contact memberservices@cic.edu.