CSUMB one of 33 U.S. institutions to earn Carnegie Foundation double designation

Cal State Monterey Bay is one of just 33 institutions nationwide that earned both Research College & University and Opportunity College & University designations in the new 2025 Carnegie Classifications.

In February, CSUMB was recognized by the Carnegie Foundation in the new classification of RCU. It was one of only 216 schools that don’t confer many or any PhDs but spend at least $2.5 million on research to receive that designation.   

Then CSUMB was recognized as an OCU within the new Student Access and Earnings classification, which Carnegie announced at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on April 24. 

Only 33 institutions have earned both designations. 

The Carnegie Foundation says its classification system is the “leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education.” The framework was launched in 1973 to support its program for research and policy analysis. It is now updated every three years to reflect changes among colleges and universities.

A letter from the presidents of both the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education says, "California State University–Monterey Bay is rare in so clearly advancing both opportunity and innovation."

President Vanya Quiñones said the designations are significant.

“More than just a recognition, it celebrates our continued excellence and dedication to student success,” Quiñones wrote in a letter to the campus community, “and serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and spirit of our university and the Otter Raft.” 

This is just the latest in a series of accolades CSUMB has received from national ranking organizations in the past two years.