Foreign Credential Evaluation Service
6 Mar
If you are getting your foreign education evaluated in the United States, one of the first decisions you will face is choosing between a document evaluation and a course-by-course evaluation. Both are credential evaluation reports that establish the US equivalency of your foreign education, but they serve different purposes and contain different levels of detail.
Choosing the wrong type can mean delays, extra costs, or even having your evaluation rejected by the receiving institution. This guide explains the differences between the two, when to use each one, and how to decide which is right for your situation.
A document evaluation — sometimes called a diploma evaluation or degree evaluation — is the simpler of the two report types. It provides a high-level assessment of your foreign credential and states its US equivalency.
A typical document evaluation includes:
What a document evaluation does not include is any breakdown of your individual courses, credit hours, or grades. It focuses solely on the credential as a whole.
Typical cost: Starting around $85 per credential at Evaluation World.
A course-by-course evaluation — also known as a transcript evaluation — includes everything in a document evaluation, plus a detailed analysis of your academic record. It essentially converts your foreign transcript into a format that resembles a US transcript.
In addition to the equivalency statement and institutional information, a course-by-course evaluation includes:
This level of detail allows US universities, employers, and licensing boards to see exactly what you studied, how many credits you earned, and what your academic performance was.
Typical cost: Starting around $180 per credential at Evaluation World.
Level of detail — A document evaluation tells you “what” your degree is equivalent to. A course-by-course evaluation tells you “what” plus “exactly what you studied and how you performed.”
Documents required — A document evaluation only requires your degree, diploma, or certificate. A course-by-course evaluation also requires your academic transcripts or mark sheets showing individual subjects and grades.
Processing time — Both typically take around 5 business days, though the course-by-course evaluation involves more analysis.
Cost — A course-by-course evaluation costs more because it involves significantly more detailed work — every individual course must be analyzed, converted, and calculated.
GPA calculation — Only the course-by-course evaluation includes a GPA on a 4.0 scale.
A document evaluation is the right choice when the receiving institution only needs to know the US equivalency of your degree — not the details of what you studied. The most common scenarios include:
For most immigration visa categories — including H-1B, EB-2, EB-3, and family-based petitions — USCIS requires proof that your education is equivalent to a specific US degree level. A document evaluation provides exactly this. USCIS does not typically require a breakdown of individual courses, credit hours, or GPA for immigration purposes.
There are exceptions. If the H-1B petition needs to demonstrate that your coursework was in a specific specialty field, a course-by-course evaluation or expert opinion letter may be more appropriate.
Many US employers require a credential evaluation as part of the hiring process to verify that your foreign degree meets their educational requirements. In most cases, a document evaluation is sufficient — the employer wants to confirm that you hold a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree equivalent, not review your individual courses.
Certain licensing boards may accept a document evaluation if they only need to verify the level of your education. However, many professional licensing bodies require a course-by-course evaluation — check with your specific licensing board before ordering.
If you simply need an official document stating the US equivalency of your education for any general purpose, a document evaluation is the most cost-effective option.
A course-by-course evaluation is the right choice when the receiving institution needs detailed information about your academic record. The most common scenarios include:
This is the most common use case for a course-by-course evaluation. When you apply to a US college or university, the admissions office needs to understand exactly what courses you have completed and at what level. They use this information to determine your eligibility for admission, evaluate your academic performance through your GPA, and decide which transfer credits to award so you do not have to repeat courses you have already completed.
Most US universities specifically request a course-by-course evaluation for graduate and undergraduate admissions. Submitting only a document evaluation may result in your application being considered incomplete.
If you have completed some college-level coursework abroad and want to transfer those credits to a US institution, you will need a course-by-course evaluation. The university uses the detailed credit and grade information to determine which courses are transferable and how many credits to award.
Many professional licensing boards — particularly in fields like nursing, engineering, accounting, teaching, and physical therapy — require a course-by-course evaluation to verify that your education included specific coursework in required subject areas. For example, a nursing licensing board may need to confirm that your program included a certain number of clinical hours or specific science courses.
Some employers, particularly in regulated industries or for highly technical roles, may request a course-by-course evaluation to verify that your academic background includes specific coursework relevant to the position.
Some scholarship programs require a course-by-course evaluation to assess your academic performance and determine eligibility based on GPA requirements.
If you are unsure, follow these guidelines:
Check with the receiving institution first. Whether it is a university, employer, licensing board, or your immigration attorney — ask them what type of evaluation they require. This eliminates any guesswork and ensures you order the right report the first time.
When in doubt for immigration, start with a document evaluation. For most USCIS petitions, a document evaluation is sufficient. You can always upgrade to a course-by-course evaluation later if needed.
When in doubt for education, go with course-by-course. Most US universities prefer or require a course-by-course evaluation. Ordering one from the start saves you from having to pay for a second evaluation if the university rejects a document evaluation.
If you need the evaluation for multiple purposes — for example, for both an immigration petition and a university application — a course-by-course evaluation covers both needs. A document evaluation does not contain enough detail for most university applications.
In most cases, yes. If you initially ordered a document evaluation and later realize you need a course-by-course evaluation, many agencies can prepare the more detailed report using the documents already on file. You would need to submit your academic transcripts or mark sheets if you have not already done so, and pay the difference in fees.
It is generally more cost-effective and faster to order the right type from the start, but upgrading is an option if your needs change.
For a document evaluation:
For a course-by-course evaluation:
In both cases, clear and legible scanned copies are sufficient — you do not need to send original documents. If your documents are in a language other than English, you will need certified English translations as well.
Can I use a document evaluation for university admissions? In most cases, no. Most US universities require a course-by-course evaluation that includes credit hours and GPA. Check with the specific university’s admissions office to confirm their requirements.
Is a course-by-course evaluation accepted for immigration? Yes. A course-by-course evaluation contains all the information in a document evaluation and more. It is accepted for all purposes where a document evaluation would be accepted.
How long does each type take? Both document evaluations and course-by-course evaluations typically take approximately 5 business days for standard processing. Rush services are available for urgent cases.
Do I need a separate evaluation for each degree? Each degree or credential is evaluated separately. If you hold both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree and need both evaluated, you would order an evaluation for each. Many agencies offer package pricing for multiple credentials.
What if I have both a degree and separate transcripts from different institutions? You can have each evaluated separately. Discuss your specific situation with the evaluation agency to determine the best approach.
The choice between a document evaluation and a course-by-course evaluation comes down to what the receiving institution requires and how much detail they need about your education.
For immigration and basic employment verification, a document evaluation is usually sufficient and is the more affordable option. For university admissions, transfer credits, and professional licensing, a course-by-course evaluation provides the detailed information that institutions need.
If you are still unsure, Evaluation World’s team can help you determine which type of evaluation is right for your situation. Contact us before ordering and we will guide you in the right direction.
Apply online now or contact us at admin@evaluationworld.com or call +1 (302) 504-4700.
This article was last updated in March 2026. Requirements vary by institution — always confirm what type of evaluation is needed with the receiving institution before ordering.
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