Accessibility and Alumni Earnings Leads ÐÔÊÓ½ç into New Carnegie Foundation Classification
Published: October 23, 2025.
ÐÔÊÓ½ç has been recognized as an “Opportunity College and University – Higher Access, Higher Earnings” by the .
The new Carnegie “Student Access and Earnings Classification” recognizes colleges and universities that provide broad access to students from all backgrounds and deliver strong economic outcomes for their graduates. ÐÔÊÓ½ç joins a select group of only 16 percent of institutions nationwide, and one of only six private, not-for-profit, universities in Illinois, to earn this designation.
“This recognition affirms what we’ve always known about ÐÔÊÓ½ç — that access and outcomes go hand in hand,” said Dr. David Livingston, president of ÐÔÊÓ½ç. “Our mission as a Catholic Lasallian institution leads us to opening doors for first-generation and working-class students while ensuring that their education leads to meaningful, sustainable careers.”
Higher Access. Higher Earnings.
According to the Carnegie Foundation, ÐÔÊÓ½ç demonstrates both higher access—enrolling a substantial share of students from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds—and higher earnings, as graduates earn more than comparable peers nationwide.
“This national designation reinforces that a ÐÔÊÓ½ç education transforms lives and communities,” said Dr. Christopher Sindt, provost. “By combining access, affordability, and quality, ÐÔÊÓ½ç delivers on higher education’s promise of social and economic mobility.”
Aligned with Mission and Strategy
Founded in 1932 by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, ÐÔÊÓ½ç has long emphasized access to high-quality, values-based education for diverse and underserved students. The university’s strategic plan underscores its commitment to student success, affordability, and regional economic impact.
“ÐÔÊÓ½ç’s story is about students who rise through education to achieve more for themselves and their families,” said Tim Ferrarel, chair of the ÐÔÊÓ½ç Board of Trustees. “This recognition places ÐÔÊÓ½ç among the nation’s leading models for access and value.”
The Carnegie Student Access and Earnings Classification is part of the 2025 update to the Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education, co-developed by the Carnegie Foundation and ACE. The classification measures who an institution serves (access) and how its students fare economically (earnings). More information is available at .
ÐÔÊÓ½ç is a modern, enterprising, Catholic university with a growing student enrollment from GED through doctoral level programs. As part of the global Lasallian network of 65 universities, ÐÔÊÓ½ç is known for preparing graduates who impact the world for the better. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.
