New Brief Series Explores the New Carnegie Classifications
In April 2025, the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching released a major revision to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education—the most significant update to the framework in decades. These changes arrive at a critical moment for higher education, as shifting enrollment trends, heightened public scrutiny, and growing demands for transparency reshape expectations for institutional performance and value.
Today, we are pleased to announce the release of two new briefs examining the implications of this updated framework for state policymakers, systems, and agencies.
Brief 1: Beyond Labels: How States Can Use the 2025 Carnegie Classification to Understand and Advance Student Success (Student Access and Earnings Classification)
This brief explores the newly introduced Student Access and Earnings Classification (SAEC), which evaluates how effectively institutions expand access to higher education and support students in earning competitive wages. It provides guidance on how states can leverage these metrics to align with goals around opportunity, value, and workforce outcomes.Brief 2: Carnegie Classifications Redefined: A Framework for Smarter State Policy and Better Outcomes (Institutional Classification)
This brief analyzes the updated Institutional Classification (IC), offering insights into its more flexible and nuanced structure. It highlights how the revised classification better reflects today’s diverse and evolving institutions—and what this means for policy, funding, and accountability.
Together, these briefs provide a clear, accessible lens into how the new Carnegie Classifications can inform state-level decision-making and strengthen support for students and institutions. For more information on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, click here.
Explore the Series
