CSUDH Among CSUs Named ‘Opportunity Universities’ in New Carnegie Classification

Source: CSU News

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 April 24 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: 

• CSU Bakersfield 
• CSU Channel Islands 
• Chico State 
• CSU Dominguez Hills 
• Fresno State 
• Cal Poly Humboldt 
• Cal State Long Beach 
• Cal State LA​ 
• Maritime Academy 
• Cal State Monterey Bay 
• Cal Poly Pomona 
• Sacramento State 
• Cal State San Bernardino 
• San Diego State​ 
• Stanislaus State 

Additionally, seven CSUs received the classification’s Higher Access, Medium Earnings designation: 

• Cal State East Bay 
• Cal State Fullerton 
• Cal State S​an 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.