Assignment guidance
When MCC 8220 should be used
- For colleges, universities, junior colleges, seminaries, and professional schools providing higher education.
- For tuition and related charges collected by the qualifying educational institution.
Education
MCC 8220
Colleges and universities
Colleges, universities, professional schools, and junior colleges providing higher education.
Boundary guidance
When MCC 8220 should not be used
- For primary or secondary schools, correspondence schools, or business schools with a specific MCC.
- For independent bookstores, accommodation, or unrelated campus merchants.
Scheme comparison
Names and evidence status
Absence from public material is not treated as proof that a scheme does not use the MCC.
| Scheme | Evidence | Scheme wording | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa | Official | Colleges, Universities, Professional Schools, and Junior CollegesGlobal Visa merchant-data manual, April 2026, PDF page 107. | Different wording |
| Mastercard | Official | Colleges, Universities, Professional Schools, and Junior CollegesMastercard Merchant Edition reference, 16 April 2024, PDF page 214. | Different wording |
| American Express | Publicly not found | No current public definition locatedThe complete American Express Codes Reference Guide is not public. This is not evidence that the MCC is unsupported. | Not available |
| Discover / Diners Club | Publicly not found | No current public definition locatedNo complete current public Discover / Diners Club MCC catalogue was located. This is not evidence that the MCC is unsupported. | Not available |
| UnionPay | Not reviewed | No global definition reviewedThe official material reviewed so far is limited to EEA fee appendices and is not a global definition catalogue. | Not available |
Provenance
Sources reviewed
- Visa Merchant Data Standards ManualApril 2026 · global · official · PDF page 107
- Mastercard Quick Reference Booklet - Merchant Edition16 April 2024 · official · PDF page 214
SchemeLens descriptions and use boundaries are editorial summaries of the cited material. Final MCC assignment depends on the merchant's primary business, current scheme rules, region, programme, and acquirer requirements.