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Institutions
Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education®
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is the nation’s leading framework for categorizing diverse U.S. higher education institutions.
Classification Lookup
About the Carnegie Classification®
The Carnegie Classification® is the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education. In 1970, the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education began developing a classification of colleges and universities to support its program of research and policy analysis. The framework was first published in 1973 and is now updated every 3 years to reflect changes among colleges and universities.
To learn more, visit:
2025 Institutional Classification >
246 
Institutions are classified as Special Focus Four-Year: Faith-Related Institutions
369 
Institutions hold the Community Engagement Classification
195 
Small, highly residential institutions primarily offer baccalaureate arts & science degrees
Elective Classifications
The Carnegie Elective Classifications are recognitions earned by institutions that have made extraordinary commitments to their public purpose. Institutions apply for recognition from the Carnegie Foundation through a particular Elective Classification theme and make extraordinary commitments to that theme. There are currently 2 Elective Classifications for which institutions can apply: the Elective Classification for Community Engagement and the Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose.
Community Engagement Application
View application resources and requirements.
From the Blog
March 24, 2025
Institutions Across U.S. React to New RCU Designations
For years, the Carnegie Classifications research designations were only open to a narrow set of doctoral-granting institutions. Many colleges and universities across the country were engaging in meaningful research, however, their contributions were not being recognized. As part of our work to redesign the Carnegie Classifications, last month we introduced a Research College and University (RCU) designation to identify research happening ...
About the Site
The Carnegie Classification site provides an Institution Search tool that allows users to search and filter institutions based on one or more Carnegie Classifications. You can also find a wealth of knowledge and resources on the Carnegie Classifications at the links below.
