St. Edward's achieves research university designation
AUSTIN (KXAN) — St. Edward's University announced Thursday that it has achieved a historic milestone by attaining a designation as a research university.
The American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching recognized St. Edward's under the Research Colleges and Universities classification for investing an average of at least $2.5 million per year in research and development opportunities, according to a release from the university.
The Carnegie Foundation and ACE recently updated the methodology for Research Activity Designations and announced the changes on Thursday along with a list of institutions that received a designation. The Research Colleges and Universities designation is new this year. The other categories are Research 1: Very High Spending and Doctorate Production and Research 2: High Spending and Doctorate Production.
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According to Carnegie, the Research Colleges and Universities designation identifies research happening at colleges and universities that historically have not been recognized for their research activity, including institutions that do not offer many or any doctoral degrees. The new designation includes any non-R1 or R2 institution that spends more than $2.5 million on research annually, accounting for 218 institutions.
'This landmark achievement is a testament to the exceptional talent and dedication of our faculty, their scholarship, creative endeavors and research. We have advanced our research mission and our commitment to creating opportunities for our students and faculty to engage in innovative research programs,' said St. Edward's University President Montserrat Fuentes. 'Earning research university status is a significant milestone for our university, reflecting the steadfast support of our faculty, staff and community partners who are devoted to opening doors for students to graduate education and pathways to success in an ever-evolving workforce.'
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education had previously recognized St. Edward's in the Master's Colleges and Universities: Larger Programs category under the Basic Classification Methodology in 2021.
St. Edward's will keep its research university status until the next evaluation in 2028.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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