Classification Descriptions

All accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities in the United States represented in the National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS system are eligible for inclusion in the Carnegie Classifications (as of the year a classification is issued, and subject to the availability of required data). Accreditation status is based on information provided by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education. For more information on accreditation, see Ed.gov.

The classifications and categories are documented in this section. For a detailed explanation of how the categories were defined and the data used, refer to Technical Details.

All-inclusive Classifications

These classifications include all eligible institutions, subject to data availability. They are derived from national data on institutional characteristics and activities from sources such as the National Center for Education Statistics, the National Science Foundation, and the College Board.

Classifications are time-specific snapshots of institutional attributes and behavior based on data from 2003 and 2004. Institutions might be classified differently using a different timeframe.

• Undergraduate Instructional Program Classification
• Graduate Instructional Program Classification
• Enrollment Profile Classification
• Undergraduate Profile Classification
• Size & Setting Classification
• Basic Classification

Elective Classifications

These classifications rely on voluntary participation by institutions.

• Community Engagement Classification