More than half of
California State University (CSU) institutions have received a new Carnegie
Classification designation that recognizes them as models in fostering student
success. Announced today
by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the
Advancement of Teaching, 15 CSUs were among 479 institutions nationwide to
receive the Opportunity Colleges and Universities designation.
The designation is the top tier of the newly developed Student Access and Earnings Classification, which measures universities on whether their student enrollment reflects the communities they serve and how graduates' earnings compare to peers in their region. Institutions in the Opportunity Colleges and Universities category are recognized for their high access and high earnings ratios.
The 15 CSU institutions in the Opportunity Colleges and Universities category are:
Additionally, seven CSUs received the classification's Higher Access, Medium Earnings designation:
- Cal State East Bay
- Cal State Fullerton
- Cal State San Marcos
- CSUN
- San Francisco State
- San José State
- Sonoma State
“The new Carnegie Classification for Student Access and Earnings is closely aligned with our core educational mission, and we’re pleased that it affirms what we’ve long known: that the CSU is a national leader in inclusive excellence and driving social mobility,” said CSU Chancellor Mildred García. “We take great pride in serving and empowering students from all walks of life to achieve economic independence and meaningful careers. This new classification underscores the profound impact of our mission and will help us strengthen and expand our life-changing work.”
The methodology for the new Student Access and Earnings Classification uses multidimensional groupings of the 2025 Institutional Classification to evaluate student access and earnings between similar colleges and universities. More information about 2025 Student Earnings and Access Classifications, including the methodology, can be found here.
About the Carnegie Classification
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is the leading framework for categorizing and describing colleges and universities in the United States. Utilized frequently by policymakers, funders and researchers, the classifications are a critical benchmarking tool for postsecondary institutions. ACE and the Carnegie Foundation announced a partnership in February 2022 to reimagine the classifications to reflect the diversity and impact today's institutions have on society.
About the American Council on Education
ACE unites and leads higher education institutions toward a shared vision for the future. With more than 1,600 member colleges, universities and associations, ACE designs solutions for today's challenges and advances public policy to support a diverse and dynamic higher education sector. Learn more at www.acenet.edu.
About the California State University
The California State University is the nation's largest four-year public university system, providing transformational opportunities for upward mobility to more than 460,000 students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. More than half of CSU students are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, and more than one-quarter of undergraduates are first-generation college students. Because the CSU's 23 universities provide a high-quality education at an incredible value, they are rated among the best in the nation for promoting social mobility in national college rankings from U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal and Washington Monthly. The CSU powers California and the nation, sending over 125,000 career-ready graduates into the workforce each year. In fact, one in every 20 Americans holding a college degree earned it at the CSU. Connect with and learn more about the CSU in the CSU newsroom.