Carnegie Classification R1 University (2024)

FAQs

What is a Carnegie R1 university? ›

In 2015, the Carnegie Classification System reinstated the "Research I university" designations along with "Research II" and "Research III." The current system, introduced in 2018, includes the following three categories for doctoral universities: R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity.

There are three classifications for doctoral granting universities – R1 (very high research activity), R2 (high research activity) and D/PU (doctoral/professional universities).

R1 institutions are awarded significantly larger amounts of funding in comparison to R2 institutions. R1 institutions are required to have minimum funding of $43.8 million per academic year. R2 institutions have a much lower minimum funding requirement.

Washington College of Law

American University is a private, co-educational doctoral institution situated in a residential neighborhood of northwest Washington, D.C. We are classified as an R2 Institution, ranked "Doctoral: Higher Research Activity" by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

The reason many people consider R1 universities prestigious or important is due to their focus on cutting-edge research, academic opportunities, and high-quality resources for their students.

There are 146 R1 universities in the current classification. The Chronicle projects 168 members with today's data.

Additionally, R1 universities are usually well-regarded by employers and graduate programs, which can help create a strong foundation for your future academic or professional pursuits.

Purdue University is a member of the Association of American Universities and is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".

Tier 3 schools include: UT Austin College of Liberal Arts, Villanova, Northeastern, Brandeis, Case Western Reserve, Occidental, Washington and Lee, Babson College, Virginia Tech, UC San Diego, Lafayette College, UIUC, University of Florida, and DePauw.

Only Boston College, Notre Dame and Baylor maintain committed religious affiliations, R1 status and Power Five membership.

What are the Tier 2 universities in the US? ›

R1 Universities include prestigious institutions such as Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, among others. The primary focus of these universities extends beyond teaching to conducting groundbreaking research, often backed by substantial funding from both public and private entities.

In addition, Dartmouth was restored to R1 status as a top-level research institution in 2017 and was elected two years later to membership in the Association of American Universities.

UCLA is classified as an R1 institution by the Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education.

Examples include Stanford University, MIT and UC Berkeley. Please note, UCSF is categorized as R1 for our tracking purposes.

When it comes to tiers, Tier 1 schools are in the top 20, Tier 2 schools are in the top 50, and Tier 3 schools are in the top 100. There are more category breakdowns in the top 20, but that's the essence.

NYU has been awarded the prestigious Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in recognition of the strong role civic engagement plays in university life.

R1 universities have a greater ability to attract world-class faculty members and talented undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The Carnegie R1 designation is synonymous with academic and research excellence Ambika Mathur, Vice Provost of Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate School.