New Carnegie Classification Highlights WAU’s Strength in Social Mobility and Student Success

In April 2025, the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education released the most sweeping overhaul of the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education in its 50-year history. The introduction of the new “Opportunity Colleges and Universities” label signals a profound shift: higher education institutions are now increasingly being measured by their impact on student access and success, rather than just their research output or the degrees they offer.

Why This Matters

The new classification emphasizes two critical metrics:

• Access: Enrolling Pell-eligible and underrepresented minority students at rates that mirror their surrounding communities. 
• Earnings: Ensuring that students, whether they graduate or not, achieve higher earnings than their regional peers. 

Rather than focusing only on prestige markers like research spending (as the old R1/R2 research categories did), the new Carnegie system celebrates institutions that truly elevate students’ socioeconomic mobility. According to Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, the goal is clear: “We want to put student success at the center of how institutions describe themselves and how others look at them.”

This shift is also a response to a growing national skepticism toward higher education. With public trust declining and federal scrutiny rising, institutions that demonstrate measurable impact on student futures are positioned to restore confidence and secure long-term sustainability.

Where Washington Adventist University Stands

Washington Adventist University (WAU) is uniquely poised to thrive in this new higher education environment. As a faith-based, minority-serving institution with a strong commitment to social mobility, WAU has long embodied the very values the new Carnegie Classification seeks to elevate. This is demonstrated by WAU’s placement on the Access and Earnings Measure chart. WAU is one of 479 schools (out of over 3,000) that is designated as an “Opportunity College and Universities” school because the university is in the highest brackets for both Access and Earnings. On the Opportunity College and Universities list, WAU is one of 32 schools classified as “Professions-focused Baccalaureate Small, which is its Institutional Classification. This replaces the previous “Basic” Carnegie Classification.

• With a score of 2.24 out of 3.0, WAU is “Higher Access.”
• With a score of 1.51 out of 3.0, WAU is “Higher Earnings.”
• High Access: WAU’s student body is richly diverse, consistently enrolling a high percentage of first-generation, Pell-eligible, and underrepresented minority students. This aligns closely with the new access benchmarks Carnegie prioritizes. 
• Pathways to Strong Careers: WAU emphasizes hands-on experience, internships, and professional preparation through programs like Nursing, Business, Education, and Allied Health, all sectors that lead to sustainable, middle-class employment.
• Mission-Driven Impact: Rooted in the values of service, excellence, and community engagement, WAU’s educational approach intentionally develops students not just for careers, but for lives of leadership and purpose. 

Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education: https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/institution/washington-adventist-university/

“Additionally, the Carnegie Classifications now identify institutions within the Student Access and Earnings Classification that can serve as models for studying how campuses can foster student success, designating 479 of them as Opportunity Colleges and Universities.”

“The Student Access and Earnings Classification recognizes a wide variety of institutions of all sizes, locations, and types as drivers of opportunities for students. 479 schools have been named Opportunity Colleges and Universities, a new designation that identifies institutions within the classification that can serve as a model for studying how campuses can foster student success.”

For more information click here…

When compared to many other Adventist institutions and regional public universities, WAU’s profile shows a stronger alignment with the “Opportunity College” ideals:

• Compared to other Adventist universities, WAU stands out for its urban setting, its deep integration with a diverse population, and its stronger focus on professional career pathways (rather than exclusively traditional liberal arts). 
• Compared to public universities, WAU offers smaller class sizes, personalized mentorship, and spiritual formation opportunities that contribute to both student persistence and post-graduation outcomes. 

A New Opportunity for WAU — And for You

In this moment of change, Washington Adventist University has an extraordinary opportunity to champion its mission on a national stage. As “Opportunity Colleges and Universities” become the new gold standard for measuring higher education’s societal value, WAU is already living that vision every day — by empowering diverse students to achieve success, make a difference, and lead lives of purpose.

If you are ready to be part of a university that invests in your future, nurtures your calling, and equips you for real-world success, Washington Adventist University invites you to apply today. Discover a community that believes in opportunity, excellence, and service — and is committed to helping you achieve your dreams.

Learn more and start your journey at wau.edu/apply.

You can also help WAU continue to expand access and support for students from all backgrounds. Your gift can make a difference. To invest in the next generation of servant leaders, visit wau.edu/give and support Washington Adventist University today.