Blog
November 4, 2025
Reflecting on the Carnegie Classification’s 2025 Redesign
The Carnegie Classifications were created over half a century ago with a clear purpose: offering researchers a more nuanced understanding of the nation’s higher education landscape. Since then, the classifications have evolved to have an outsized influence on institutional benchmarks, organization, and resources, largely shaped by the chase for an R1 designation and a high U.S. News & World Report ranking. ... Continue Reading
July 29, 2025
Institutions Across U.S. React to Being Named Opportunity Colleges and Universities Under the New Student Access and Earnings Classification
The newly redesigned Carnegie Classifications are intended to better reflect the multifaceted nature of the higher education landscape and to measure the extent to which institutions provide students access and a path to earning competitive wages. The 2025 update includes a revision of the historic Basic Classification, now titled the Institutional Classification, and a newly developed Student Access and Earnings Classification. ... Continue Reading
Press Releases
Carnegie, ACE Select CU Boulder to Lead New Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability
NEW YORK — The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the American Council on Education (ACE) and the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) on Tuesday announced that CU Boulder has been chosen to serve as the administrative and operational host for the new Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability. The Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability recognizes and celebrates higher education ... Continue Reading
Carnegie Classifications Redesign Better Reflects the Higher Education Landscape and Recognizes Student Success
A new Student Access and Earnings Classification recognizes the wide variety of institutions fostering opportunities for students nationwide Washington, D.C. — The American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching (Carnegie Foundation) published today the latest in a series of updates to the Carnegie Classifications. The redesigned system includes a revision of the historic Basic ... Continue Reading