Carnegie Classifications 2025: The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has released its updated Carnegie Classifications for 2025, which includes significant changes in how universities are ranked based on their research activity. The new classification identifies 187 universities in the United States as holding the prestigious R1 status, a title that designates “Very High Research Activity.” Notably, 41 of these institutions have gained R1 recognition for the first time, highlighting the growth and diversification of research-focused universities in the country.
This is a landmark moment in the field of higher education, as the new Carnegie rankings reflect an evolving landscape of academic research. The changes come as part of a broader effort to refine the classification process and make it more inclusive of various types of research universities. The revised methodology also aims to capture a more accurate picture of how institutions engage with research and development in today’s rapidly changing educational environment.
Key highlights of the 2025 Carnegie classifications
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is widely regarded as a reliable framework for categorizing US universities based on their research capabilities. The R1 status, which is the highest and most coveted designation, is granted to universities that meet two crucial criteria: spending at least $50 million annually on research and awarding 70 or more research doctorates each year. This year’s update sees 41 universities ascending to the R1 tier, bringing the total number of institutions in this elite group to 187, as reported by Forbes.
Among the new R1 universities are prominent names such as American University, Brigham Young University, and Michigan Technological University. The updated list showcases a broad range of institutions, reflecting their growing influence in research and doctoral education. For example, Brigham Young University, known for its strong engineering and health sciences programs, has earned recognition in the top-tier research category.
The full list of institutions that received a 2025 Research Activity Designation can be found here.
Shifting dynamics and the significance of R1 status
The R1 designation remains a hallmark of academic excellence, but experts note that its significance goes beyond just research output. Universities that achieve R1 status are often at the forefront of innovation, driving advancements in technology, science, and policy. According to Forbes, this recognition plays a vital role in attracting top-tier faculty, researchers, and graduate students, which further strengthens the institution’s research profile.
As Forbes reports, the updated classifications are part of an ongoing effort to better reflect the evolving landscape of higher education. The Carnegie Foundation’s new framework also introduces a “Research 2” (R2) category, which highlights universities with high research activity but slightly lower thresholds in terms of funding and doctoral awards.
Looking ahead: The future of research universities
Looking ahead, the 2025 Carnegie Classifications mark a shift toward greater inclusivity and transparency in how universities are recognized for their research contributions. The move to revise the rankings was driven by a desire to better capture the diversity of research activity across the US educational landscape, as quoted by Timothy F.C. Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation. This new era of research classifications is expected to have a lasting impact on the academic sector and influence the way universities plan and invest in their research programs.
With the 41 new universities now enjoying R1 status, the landscape of US higher education continues to evolve, offering new opportunities for students, researchers, and institutions alike.
