A diverse society has created a diverse education system, which in turn requires diverse and complex mechanisms of quality control. The diversity and complexity of the industrial, service, and knowledge-based economy, with its vast variety of occupations and dynamic labor markets, heavily influences the curricular structures and academic profiles of American colleges and universities. To be successful, institutions of higher education must meet the educational needs of individuals with different economic statuses, ages, occupational goals, educational aspirations, educational preparation, and family circumstances. Driven by a diverse economy and society, higher education is now a complex industry of public and private educational providers, and an array of quality assurance, accreditation, and certification mechanisms has evolved reflecting this complexity. This chapter discusses the drivers for assessment and enables readers to understand the tensions arising within colleges and universities in regard to accountability, accreditation, and performance evaluation.