Albany State University (ASU) has been nationally recognized as an Opportunity College and University by the Carnegie Classifications for Higher Education and the American Council on Education (ACE), as part of a new Student Access and Earnings Classification announced this month.

ASU is one of 479 institutions nationwide—and one of just eleven Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)—to receive this prestigious designation, highlighting its strong commitment to advancing student success through equitable access and competitive post-graduation earnings.

The Student Access and Earnings Classification is designed to assess how well colleges and universities enroll students representative of their communities and how those students fare in the workforce after graduation.

ASU’s selection as an Opportunity College is based on two critical indicators, access and earnings. For access, ASU serves a student body that reflects the demographics of its surrounding region, helping to close gaps in educational opportunity. For earnings, graduates of ASU report median earnings of 45% higher than the regional comparison benchmark.

“Albany State University is proud to be recognized as an institution where opportunity meets outcomes,” said ASU President Dr. Robert Scott. “This designation affirms our commitment to providing access to higher education for students from all backgrounds while ensuring that they graduate prepared for meaningful careers and economic mobility.”

The new Carnegie Classification emphasizes the role of higher education in supporting social and economic advancement, particularly for underserved communities. ASU’s inclusion among this top-performing group of institutions reflects its success in aligning mission-driven access with tangible results in the job market.

For more information about the Carnegie Classifications and the Opportunity Colleges and Universities designation, visit https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu.