‘Carnegie Classification’ is the shortened version of ‘Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’. The classification, for educational and research purposes, identifies groups of comparable institutions. Here’s the rundown on everything you need to know about Carnegie Classifications, how colleges and universities use them, and what they mean for you.
Flickr user Nida Haider
History of the Carnegie Classification
Created in 1970, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education published for the first time in 1974.
Its main aim was to create a consistent structure for classifying all accredited higher education institutions in the United States.
Although the classification has been updated regularly through the years to include new colleges and universities, the structure of all updates remained the same in order to allow comparisons across different years.
The February 2016 “2015 Update” release saw a few changes, including the addition of an elective Community Engagement classification and five other classification profiles, in addition, the “basic” classification.
How the Classifications Are Used
Over the years, the Carnegie categories have become the accepted standard in U.S. higher education. It is used to create the Best Colleges ranking and the U.S. Department of Education and several higher education organizations also uses it to organize and categorize their data. In some cases, the categories also determine colleges’ grant money eligibility.
Types Of Carnegie Classifications
The phrase “Carnegie Classification” refers to the framework that is used to categorize colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher learning in the United States.
Every three years, institutions of higher learning are classified into these types:
- Doctoral granting universities
- Master’s degree colleges and universities
- Baccalaureate colleges
- Associate’s colleges
- Special focus intuitions
- Tribal colleges
- Not classified
Descriptions of the Carnegie Classifications
Although schools are categorized into the various types listed above, the actual classification can be a little more specific. Tiers, for example, can be used for doctoral and master’s universities. These are based on number of degrees vs research dollars and student enrollment. Research universities also have research classifications.
This handy table describes all the different classifications and what they mean:
| Carnegie Classification | Description |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Universities (Tier R1) | Doctoral Universities (Tier R1) Very high research activity and award at least 20 research or practice doctorates every year |
| Doctoral Universities (Tier R2) | High research activity and award at least 20 research or practice doctorates every year |
| Doctoral Universities (Tier R3 or D/PU) | Moderate research activity and award at least 20 research or practice doctorates every year |
| Master’s Colleges and Universities: Larger Programs (Tier M1) | Award at least 50 master’s degrees every year |
| Master’s Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs (Tier M2) | Award at least 50 master’s degrees every year |
| Master’s Colleges and Universities: Smaller Programs (Tier M3) | Award at least 50 master’s degrees every year |
| Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences | At least 10% of degrees are bachelor's degrees |
| Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields | At least 10% of degrees are bachelor's degrees |
| Baccalaureate/Associate’s Colleges: Associates Dominant | At least 10% of degrees are bachelor's degrees |
| Baccalaureate/Associate’s Colleges: Mixed Baccalaureate/Associate’s | At least 10% of degrees are bachelor's degrees |
| Associate's Colleges: High Transfer – High Traditional | The highest degree awarded is an associate’s |
| Associate's Colleges: High Transfer – Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional | The highest degree awarded is an associate’s |
| Associate's Colleges: High Transfer – High Nontraditional | The highest degree awarded is an associate’s |
| Associate's Colleges: High Career – Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional | The highest degree awarded is an associate’s |
| Associate's Colleges: High Career – High Nontraditional | The highest degree awarded is an associate’s |
| Special Focus Two Year: Technical Progressions | At least 80% of degrees that are considered special focus at two-year schools |
| Special Focus Two Year: Health Professions | At least 80% of degrees that are considered special focus at two-year schools |
| Special Focus Two Year: Arts and Design | At least 80% of degrees that are considered special focus at two-year schools |
| Special Focus Two Year: Other Fields | At least 80% of degrees that are considered special focus at two-year schools |
| Special Focus Four Year: Engineering Schools | At least 80% of degrees that are considered special focus at four-year schools |
| Special Focus Four Year: Medical Schools and Centers | At least 80% of degrees that are considered special focus at four-year schools |
| Special Focus Four Year: Other Technology-Related Schools | At least 80% of degrees that are considered special focus at four-year schools |
| Special Focus Four Year: Other Health Professions Schools | At least 80% of degrees that are considered special focus at four-year schools |
| Special Focus Four Year: Law Schools | At least 80% of degrees that are considered special focus at four-year schools |
| Special Focus Four Year: Arts, Music, and Design Schools | At least 80% of degrees that are considered special focus at four-year schools |
| Special Focus Four Year: Other Special Focus Institutions | At least 80% of degrees that are considered special focus at four-year schools |
| Tribal Colleges and Universities | Schools that are a part of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium |
| Not classified | All other colleges, universities, and institutions |
What Do Carnegie Classifications Mean for Schools?
For many schools, Carnegie Classifications simply describe what they offer students. However, when it comes to tiers, these are considered high prestige.
R1: Doctoral Universities, for example, will tend to rank higher on college ranking lists compared to R2 or R3: Doctoral Universities. This ranking and classification can also influence the institution’s ability to attract students, faculty, and other leading staff members.
What Do Carnegie Classifications Mean For You?
In most cases, Carnegie Classifications won’t mean a lot to you, especially early on in your college journey, and that’s okay! They shouldn’t really play a role in your choice of undergrad college as they offer so little information about what the school actually offers students.
On the other hand, if you’re pursuing your master’s or doctorate, these classifications may be a good starting point depending on your academic goals and personal preferences. This should not be your only consideration however. There are a number of other factors that you should think about when choosing a college or university.
While it is definitely helpful to know what a college is classified as under Carnegie Classifications, for most students, it won’t really play a role just yet. This is especially the case with undergraduate students who are going after their bachelor’s or associate’s. However, it may be something to look into more detail when it’s time to get your master’s or doctorate.
Upcoming Changes To The Carnegie Classification
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recently partnered with the American Council on Education (ACE). Following the partnership, the Carnegie Classifications systems is set to undergo significant changes after more than 50 years.
One of the most notable changes would be the inclusion of classifications around social and economic mobility. The idea behind these specific additions is to reward higher education institutions doing the most to promote upward mobility. According to Carnegie Classifications and ACE, these new classifications will ‘recognize and encourage’ a wider range of institutional excellence. This new framework for categorizing colleges is set to be launched around late 2024 – early 2025.
Finding the perfect college for you can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But there are resources that will help you identify the factors that are most important to you in a school. College Raptor’s FREE College Match tool makes it easy for you to explore various colleges and universities and identify a few that fit your academic and career goals.
