Finding the right provider for educational credential evaluation can make all the difference in your journey. English serves as the official language in just 67 out of 195 countries, so translating your educational achievements is vital for success in the USA. Your choice of credential evaluation service matters greatly, whether you plan to immigrate, work, or continue your education in 2025.
The credential evaluation USA market features two prominent players: WES and AAE Evaluations. WES, 49 years old, operates as a non-profit organization that processes more than 200,000 certificates each year. AAE Evaluations, 8 years old and with 150,000 processed cases, delivers results substantially faster – in just 2 business days. This speed outpaces WES’s standard timeline of 7+ business days.
Money matters too. Standard credential evaluation services typically cost between $75 and $365. AAE Evaluations prices range from $55 to $180 for evaluations that span from simple to detailed course-by-course assessments. These differences in cost and processing times make WES and AAE Evaluations worth comparing, especially if you need quick results.
This detailed comparison will help you pick the best credential evaluation service in USA that matches your needs. We’ll look at their evaluation types, processing speeds, pricing structures, recognition levels, and ideal use cases. Our analysis will give you a clear picture of which service will best confirm your international credentials.
Evaluation Types and Services Offered
Image Source: Genx Immigration Consultant, Visa Process & Immigration Consultants
WES and AAE Evaluations provide several credential assessment services that match different needs. You can select the right evaluation that aligns with your immigration, education, or employment goals.
Document-by-Document: Simple Equivalency Overview
Document-by-Document evaluations give you a foundational assessment of your international credentials. This simple option shows each credential’s U.S. equivalent without analyzing courses in detail. WES evaluation has:
- Name of the credential
- Entry requirements
- Program length
- U.S. education equivalency
This evaluation works well to apply for jobs, immigration, and freshman admissions that don’t need transfer credits. AAE Evaluations also offers this service. It helps verify your academic standing without going into specifics. The cost and processing time are lower compared to other detailed options.
Course-by-Course: Detailed Credit and GPA Breakdown
Some situations need a deeper analysis. Course-by-Course evaluations give you a detailed documentation of your academic history. Beyond the simple credential details, WES Course-by-Course evaluations also have:
- Complete list of post-secondary courses
- U.S. semester credit equivalents
- Grade equivalents on a 4.0 scale
- Designation of undergraduate course levels (upper/lower)
Transfer students, graduate school applicants, and professionals need these detailed assessments to get licenses or certifications. AAE Evaluations provides similar Course-by-Course services that help with CPA examinations, teacher certifications, and professional memberships.
Expert Opinion Letters: Immigration-Specific Evaluations
Expert Opinion Letters support immigration applications with specialized documents. AAE Evaluations offers these evaluations to verify qualifications for visa categories like EB-1, EB-2 NIW, H-1B, L-1, and O-1 visas.
To name just one example, an EB-1C Expert Opinion Letter verifies managerial or executive experience that supports permanent residence eligibility. These letters strengthen visa applications with objective qualification assessments. They also establish positions as “Specialty Occupations” that meet USCIS requirements for H-1B visas.
Work Experience Evaluations: Professional Background Assessment
Work experience evaluations are vital when you have significant professional experience but lack formal education. AAE Evaluations assesses and converts work experience into academic equivalency based on the USCIS “three-for-one” rule. Three years of progressive, relevant work experience equals one year of U.S. university education.
H-1B visa petitions benefit from these evaluations especially when you don’t have a related U.S. bachelor’s degree but have foreign education and relevant work experience. The “Bachelor’s plus five rule” helps achieve a Master’s degree equivalency. A U.S. Bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent combined with five years of professional experience equals a U.S. Master’s degree.
Turnaround Time and Processing Speed
Processing speed plays a crucial role in selecting educational evaluation services. The time taken can substantially affect deadlines for immigration, university applications, and job offers.
AAE Evaluations: 3 to 10 Business Days with Options to Speed Up
AAE Evaluations completes standard processing in 3 to 10 business days, which beats most industry averages.
Here’s a breakdown by evaluation type:
- Expert Opinion Letters for H-1B visas: 5-6 business days
- Expert Opinion Letters for non-IT/Computer Science: 6-7 business days
- Business Necessity Expert Letters: 5-6 business days
- Immigration Business Plans: 8-9 business days
AAE Evaluations stands out with its quick-turn services for urgent cases. Clients can opt for 48-hour (2 business days) or 24-hour (1 business day) processing, though these options cost more.
WES: 7+ Business Days with Longer Waits During Peak Times
WES needs at least 7 business days to finish evaluations after they receive and approve all documents. But that’s just part of the story. The full process includes:
- Document review phase: 2 weeks standard, up to 4 weeks during busy periods
- Evaluation phase: 1-4 weeks depending on evaluation type
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for immigration: 20-35 business days
So, the actual WES timeline stretches beyond their stated processing time. Client experiences show the whole ordeal can last anywhere from 17 days to 28 days from document delivery to completion.
Rush Services: Same-Day vs 1-Week Options
Both services offer quick processing for urgent needs:
AAE Evaluations gives you:
- Same-day service in some cases
- 24-hour service (about double the standard price)
- 48-hour service (about 50% more than standard price)
WES provides rush options at premium rates, but none match AAE’s same-day service. Other credential evaluation providers offer these speedy options:
- One-Week rush service: $375 for Course-by-Course evaluations
- Next Day service: $205 for general evaluations
- Same Day service: $265 for urgent needs
Speed differences between these services matter most especially when you have tight deadlines for visa applications, university admissions, or employment verification.
Pricing Breakdown and Value for Money
Pricing is a vital factor in choosing educational evaluation services. Let’s get into how these leading providers differ in costs and what your money gets you.
AAE Pricing: $475–$675 Based on Evaluation Type
AAE Evaluations prices vary with service complexity:
- Expert Opinion Letters for H-1B Specialty Occupation: $475
- Expert Opinion Letters for H-1B (Non-IT/Computer Science): $550
- Expert Letters for Business Necessity (PERM Audit): $495
- Immigration Business & Professional Plans: $675
The standard processing takes 5-11 business days based on evaluation type. The prices are higher than competitors, but specialized immigration-focused evaluations justify these premium rates.
WES Pricing: $182–$278 Depending on Package
WES will roll out two evaluation packages with new pricing starting January 2025:
Document-by-Document:
- WES Basic: $182
- WES ICAP: $237
Course-by-Course:
- WES Basic: $233
- WES ICAP: $278
The ICAP package offers permanent transcript storage. This feature provides great value if you need ongoing verification. The new rates show a 3% increase from previous prices due to inflation adjustments.
Additional Fees: Delivery, Copies, and Translation Costs
Base evaluation fees are just the start. Extra services can add up quickly:
WES additional services cost:
- Duplicate reports: $30 each
- Courier delivery with tracking: $95
- Sealed envelope for reports: $13
ECE charges these fees:
- First additional copy: $45
- Each subsequent copy ordered simultaneously: $25
- English translation waiver: $50
- International delivery (DHL): $65
These small fees can add up fast when you need multiple copies or quick delivery.
Cheapest NACES Evaluation: How AAE and WES Compare
Prices vary a lot in the credential evaluation digital world. NACES-approved evaluations start at $75 for simple document-by-document assessments. Course-by-course evaluations typically cost between $155-$275.
WES sits in the mid-price range, while AAE Evaluations charges premium rates for specialized immigration documentation. Price isn’t everything though. You should think over:
- Your field’s specific expertise requirements (especially for STEM evaluations)
- Target institution or agency recognition
- How quickly you need results
- Your educational background’s complexity
The best credential evaluation services give you both value and reliability. They ensure your investment gets you valid documentation that institutions will accept.
Recognition, Accreditation, and Acceptance
Your choice of credential evaluation service for international qualifications depends heavily on institutional recognition. The right endorsements make sure your evaluation gets proper acknowledgment.
NACES Membership: AAE vs WES
The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) represents the gold standard for quality assurance in credential evaluation. US-based organizations with years of professional experience in comparative education evaluation make up this association. AAE Evaluations is a NACES member and WES stands out as a founding member of NACES, which proves its long-term commitment to industry standards. The organization now serves as a charter member and belongs to the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada.
USCIS and University Acceptance Rates
USCIS officers look favorably at evaluations from independent evaluators who give “credible, logical, and well-documented” equivalency determinations. These evaluations are “solely advisory,” and USCIS officers make the final call. WES says its evaluations get accepted by more than 2,500 employers, academic institutions, and regulators in North America. Many evaluation services claim high acceptance rates, and some even say USCIS has never rejected their evaluations.
Digital Delivery and Verification Systems
Paper reports come with risks like possible alterations, fabrication, and slow delivery. Digital delivery systems offer better solutions with instant transfers and improved security. Modern evaluation services use several digital platforms:
- Secure online portals (like ACEI’s SecurePathway©) store official evaluations and academic documents
- Integration with education management systems such as Slate, Parchment, and Digitary Core
- WES’s AccessWES system sends documents directly to institutions
Best Credential Evaluation Services in USA: Who Guides?
The best evaluation service really depends on what you need. WES stands as North America’s largest credential evaluation service and processes over 200,000 certificates each year. They know about 48,000+ educational institutions worldwide. Some sources call AAE Evaluations “the most trusted and quickest provider” for 2025.
Your choice of educational evaluation service should depend on more than recognition. Think about processing speed, budget-friendly options, and expertise in your field.
Use Cases and Suitability for Different Needs
Your specific application needs determine which educational evaluation service works best for you. Each case needs its own documentation and validation approach.
Immigration Applications: H-1B, EB-2, Green Card
USCIS needs proof that your foreign degree matches a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher in a specialty occupation. AAE Evaluations creates Expert Opinion Letters that work perfectly for H-1B, EB-2, and EB-3 petitions. EB-2 applicants need to show they have an advanced degree (master’s or higher) or exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business. A credential evaluation helps establish U.S. equivalency for foreign degrees. H-1B assessments usually cost between $100-$130.
University Admissions and Transfer Credits
The right evaluations boost your chances of acceptance when moving international credits to U.S. schools. Universities look at key factors: your institution’s recognition by your country’s education ministry, how courses match their programs, and the way classes fit your chosen major. Most schools put limits on foreign credit transfers. This makes a Course-by-Course evaluation crucial. WES suggests their ICAP package for transfer students because it keeps verified transcripts ready for future needs.
Professional Licensing and Employment Verification
Licensing boards in many professions need specific types of evaluations. Subject Analysis Evaluations give a detailed look at how your coursework compares to U.S. standards for accountants, engineers, landscape architects, and surveyors. Most evaluations take 5-10 business days to process. Accounting evaluations cost $250 while engineering evaluations run $325. These reports help licensing bodies see if you meet professional standards.
Best Foreign Degree Evaluation in USA for STEM Fields
STEM professionals need evaluators who really know technical fields. Engineering evaluations must show at least 48 college semester hours in engineering science/design courses. AAE Evaluations has become the go-to choice for IT, software engineering, healthcare, and other STEM professionals. WES helps displaced STEM professionals through their Gateway Program for refugees.
WES vs AAE Evaluations: Comparison Table
| Feature | WES | AAE Evaluations |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Processing Time | 7+ business days (can extend to 17-28 days total) | 3-10 business days |
| Rush Processing Options | No same-day service mentioned | Same-day, 24-hour, and 48-hour options available |
| Basic Document-by-Document Price | $182 (WES Basic) | Not specifically mentioned |
| Course-by-Course Price | $233-$278 | $55-$180 |
| Specialized Services | WES ICAP with permanent transcript storage | Expert Opinion Letters for immigration (H-1B, EB-1, EB-2 NIW, L-1, O-1) |
| Years of Experience | 49 years old | 8 years old |
| Annual Volume | 200,000+ certificates annually | 150,000+ processed cases |
| Institutional Recognition | NACES founding member, 2,500+ accepting institutions | No NACES mention |
| Digital Services | AccessWES system for direct transmission | Not specifically mentioned |
| Additional Features | Knowledge of 48,000+ educational institutions | STEM field evaluation expertise |
| Immigration-Specific Services | ECA for immigration (20-35 business days) | Expert Opinion Letters ($475-$675) |
| Work Experience Evaluation | Not specifically mentioned | 3-for-1 rule evaluations for H-1B visas |
Conclusion
Your choice between WES and AAE Evaluations will depend on your specific needs, timeline, and budget. This comparison reveals several differences that can help you make the right decision.
AAE Evaluations’ biggest advantage is speed. WES takes 7+ business days for standard processing, which can stretch to 17-28 days total. AAE Evaluations delivers results in 3-10 business days. On top of that, it offers same-day service options that are a great way to get results for urgent immigration deadlines or last-minute university applications.
The cost varies by evaluation type. WES charges $182 for document-by-document evaluations and $233-$278 for course-by-course assessments. AAE Evaluations’ specialized immigration documentation costs more ($475-$675 for Expert Opinion Letters). Their standard educational evaluations stay competitive at $55-$180 for different assessment types.
Service specialization is another deciding factor. WES excels in institutional recognition as a NACES founding member accepted at 2,500+ institutions. AAE Evaluations has become skilled at handling specialized immigration cases—H-1B, EB-1, EB-2 NIW, L-1, and O-1 visas among others—with strong expertise in STEM field evaluations.
Experience sets these services apart. WES brings 48 years of credential evaluation expertise since 1974, processing over 200,000 certificates yearly. AAE Evaluations, 8 years old now, has built credibility faster by handling more than 150,000 cases and developing expertise in immigration-focused evaluations.
WES might serve you better when institutional recognition matters most, such as undergraduate admissions or when institutions specifically ask for WES documentation. AAE Evaluations works best with tight deadlines, specialized immigration documentation needs, or STEM fields where their expertise stands out.
Credential evaluation is a vital investment in your future. The best choice goes beyond price or speed. You need a service that verifies your educational background to match your goals—academic advancement, professional licensing, or immigration success.
FAQs
Q1. What are the main differences between WES and AAE Evaluations?
WES is a well-established credential evaluation service founded in 1974, while AAE Evaluations has been operating for 8 years. WES typically has longer processing times (7+ business days) compared to AAE’s 3-10 business days. AAE offers specialized services for immigration-related evaluations, while WES is widely recognized for academic and professional evaluations.
Q2. How do the costs compare between WES and AAE Evaluations?
WES offers document-by-document evaluations starting at $182 and course-by-course evaluations from $233-$278. AAE Evaluations charges $475-$675 for specialized immigration documentation, but their standard educational evaluations range from $55-$180, making them competitive for certain types of assessments.
Q3. Which service is better for immigration-related evaluations?
AAE Evaluations is particularly well-suited for immigration-related evaluations, offering specialized services for H-1B, EB-1, EB-2 NIW, L-1, and O-1 visas. They provide Expert Opinion Letters tailored to these visa categories, which can be crucial for immigration applications.
Q4. How do processing times differ between WES and AAE Evaluations?
AAE Evaluations generally offers faster processing times, with standard service taking 3-10 business days and expedited options available for same-day, 24-hour, and 48-hour turnaround. WES typically requires at least 7 business days, with the total process often extending to 17-28 days.
Q5. Which service is more widely recognized by institutions?
WES is generally more widely recognized, being a founding member of NACES and accepted by over 2,500 institutions across North America. However, AAE Evaluations has built a strong reputation in specialized areas, particularly for STEM field evaluations and immigration-focused assessments.
