This article addresses the polysemic concepts of public policy and quality within the framework of higher education, since the linear approach used by the Colombian Academic Accreditation Governmental Entity [CNA] and complex that articulates humanistic elements such as the cultural and symbolic capital. State determines quality guidelines, which should be inherent, diverging and visible in actual practice; most processes are affected by the need to sustain the market, superimposed on the substantive functions of higher education. The objective is to describe the status of the quality policy and its focus on the UCC and USC between the 2001-2010 period. The methodology is qualitative descriptive technique of triangulation DENZIN. Used instruments such as institutional documents, surveys and interviews; sample composed of students, teachers and principals involved in the academic field. Outcomes reveal non-linear approach to documentation and linear in practice are evident achievements, shortcomings in processes, strategies that require adjustments consistent, allowing to comply with quality standards required by the State.