Comparative analysis of institutional accreditation systems in higher education: Paraguay, Argentina and Chile

Introduction: Institutional accreditation is an important mechanism for ensuring quality in higher education. Objective: The objective of this research was to analyze, from a comparative perspective, the institutional accreditation systems in higher education in Paraguay, Argentina, and Chile in accordance with the regulations in force for the year 2024. Methodology: The study adopted a qualitative, documentary-comparative approach based on the analysis of national laws, institutional portals of accrediting agencies, and 18 recent academic studies. Results: The results showed that Paraguay prioritizes social relevance under voluntary schemes; Argentina implements mandatory evaluations with regulatory rigidity; Chile stands out for its progressive model, although with biases in accreditation decisions and disciplinary rigidity. The three countries share challenges such as the gap between administrative compliance and tangible results. Conclusion: It is concluded that, despite advances in institutional structures, the systems require reforms that balance standardization with flexibility and transparency with autonomy.