.edu sTLD
Education
The .edu TLD is one of the original top-level domains, introduced in 1985. It is reserved exclusively for accredited postsecondary educational institutions in the United States, including four-year universities, community colleges, and system or district offices that meet eligibility criteria. It serves as a trusted identifier for U.S.-based academic institutions online.
Restricted to accredited postsecondary educational institutions in the United States. Must be recognized by a state, local, or national government. Previously registered domains before October 29, 2001 were grandfathered in.
.edu Domain Overview
The .edu extension is a sponsored top-level domain (sTLD) in the Domain Name System (DNS). It is managed by EDUCAUSE. .edu was introduced in 1985.
Registration Info
Registration pricing for .edu is not publicly listed. Contact an ICANN-accredited registrar for availability and pricing.
Security Features
- DNSSEC
What Is the History of .edu?
The .edu domain was introduced in 1985 as one of the original TLDs. It was initially managed by the Network Information Center (NIC). From the early 1990s until 2001, Network Solutions operated registrations under a Cooperative Agreement with the National Science Foundation. On October 21, 2001, EDUCAUSE took over administration under a five-year agreement from the U.S. Department of Commerce, subcontracting Verisign for technical operations. Eligibility was expanded in 2003 to include all accredited postsecondary institutions. In 2013, a security breach led to the suspension of registrant access systems. The domain continues under EDUCAUSE management with DNSSEC enabled to ensure registry integrity.
Did you know?
The .edu TLD serves a specific purpose in the domain ecosystem, providing users with clear context about the websites using this extension.
What Is .edu Used For?
The .edu TLD is commonly used for the following purposes:
University websites
College admissions portals
Academic research repositories
Educational nonprofit portals
University system administration
Popular Websites
How Do I Register a .edu Domain?
Eligibility
Institution must be accredited by a U.S. agency recognized by the Department of Education or the Department of Defense. Must be a degree-granting institution or official system/district office. Must maintain active administrative contacts and accurate WHOIS records.
Open Registration
The .edu TLD is available for registration through accredited domain registrars.
Registration Process
- Choose an accredited domain registrar that offers .edu domains
- Check domain availability using the registrar's search tool
- Complete the registration process and provide required information
- Pay the registration fee (typically )
- Manage your domain settings through your registrar's control panel
.edu vs Related Domain Extensions
How does .edu compare to similar top-level domains? This comparison covers pricing, type, and availability to help choose the right domain extension.
View the full TLD Directory to browse all 1,900+ top-level domains with pricing, registration density analysis, and DNSSEC adoption rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Is This .edu Data Compiled?
DNS Checker maintains a comprehensive TLD directory covering all 1,900+ active top-level domains. The data on this page combines multiple authoritative sources to provide information not found in standard TLD listings.
Zone File Analysis
Domain registration counts and density analysis are computed daily from TLD zone files, providing accurate registration statistics rather than estimates.
DNSSEC Adoption Tracking
DNSSEC deployment percentages are measured by scanning actual DNS records across all registered domains in each TLD zone.
Registrar Price Monitoring
Registration, renewal, and transfer prices are checked hourly across multiple accredited registrars and compared automatically.
Provider Market Share
DNS provider distribution is calculated from nameserver records, showing which hosting providers serve the most domains in each TLD.
Use DNS Checker tools to inspect any .edu domain: run a full DNS health check, check DNS propagation, look up WHOIS records, or verify email authentication.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is sourced from IANA, ICANN, and respective registry operator publications, then structured and formatted with the assistance of AI. While accuracy is a priority, details such as pricing, registration requirements, and policies may change. Always verify with the official registry or an accredited registrar before making registration decisions.