Western Illinois University Named an Opportunity University by the Carnegie Classifications
April 24, 2025
MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University has been designated as an Opportunity College and University by Carnegie Classification®. The classification recognizes WIU as an institution that can serve as a model for studying how campuses can foster student success.
The "Opportunity Colleges and Universities" designation is part of a newly developed Student Access and Earnings Classification published this month by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education. This new classification examines the extent to which institutions foster opportunities for student success by measuring whether institutions are enrolling students reflective of the communities they serve and how the earnings of those students compare to peers in their area. In 2025, 479 institutions have been identified as Opportunity Colleges and Universities, which is about 16% of all U.S. colleges and universities that are in the Student Access and Earnings Classification.
"Social mobility has long been a part of our DNA at Western," said WIU President Kristi Mindrup. "Our University vision is to be the leader in educational quality, opportunity and affordability. Our recognition by the Carnegie Foundation is a reflection of our commitment to our vision"
Western Illinois University has also been recognized for their ability to increase graduates' socioeconomic status by the Wall Street Journal and U.S. News and World Report. In addition to being recognized as an Opportunity College and University, earlier this year WIU was recognized as a Research College and University by the American Council on Education. More information on the new research designation can be found at go.wiu.edu/ResearchClassification. 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.
About the Carnegie Classification®
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education® is the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education. The Carnegie Commission on Higher Education developed the classification in 1973 to support its program of research and policy analysis, and it was updated in 1976, 1987, 1994, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2018, 2021 and 2025 to reflect changes among colleges and universities. It will next be updated in 2028, with subsequent updates every three years.
About the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
The mission of the Carnegie Foundation is to catalyze transformational change in education so that every student has the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified, and fulfilling life. Enacted by an act of Congress in 1906, the Foundation has a rich history of driving transformational change in the education sector, including the establishment of TIAA-CREF and the creation of the Education Testing Service, the GRE, Pell Grants, and the Carnegie Classifications for Higher Education.
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 or follow ACE on X (formerly Twitter) @ACEducation and LinkedIn american-council-on-education.
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