“.edu” is a top-level domain (TLD) in the Domain Name System of the Internet. The name is derived from ‘education’, indicating that it’s primarily used by educational institutions, specifically accredited post-secondary ones such as universities, colleges, and research institutes.
The .edu TLD is managed and operated by EduCause via a contract with the United States Department of Commerce. To qualify for a .edu domain, an institution must be accredited by an agency on the U.S. Department of Education’s list of Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies.
Unlike generic TLDs like .com or .net, .edu domains are not typically bought and sold due to these specific regulations and eligibility requirements. As such, they’re less commonly seen in the portfolios of domain name investors.