Established in 1918, the American Council on Education (ACE) is a United States organization comprising over 1,800 accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities and higher education-related associations, organizations, and corporations.

The organization conducts public policy advocacy, research, and other initiatives related to key higher education issues, and plays a significant role in higher education leadership development.

The ACE Fellows Program, established in 1965, has helped prepare hundreds of vice presidents, deans, department chairs, and faculty for senior leadership positions in American colleges and universities. Since the program's inception, nearly 300 of 1,500 fellows have served as chief executive officers at more than 350 institutions.

The Council developed and continues to administer the General Educational Development testing program. The GED test measures whether a person has the academic skills and knowledge expected of high school graduates in the United States or Canada, thus allowing adults who lack a high school diploma to certify that they possess the equivalent of a traditional high school education.