U of A Remains in Highest Research Classification Among U.S. Universities

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas has once again been rated in the highest research classification possible by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The category is defined as a doctoral-granting, research university with very high levels of research activity. The university first received the rating in 2011; this month the Foundation released it’s 2015 Update of the Carnegie Classifications of Higher Education, reaffirming the U of A’s place among just 2 percent of institutions nationally.

“I know everyone involved at the university worked very hard to achieve this rating,” said Chancellor Joe Steinmetz. “Maintaining your Carnegie classification is not a given, but evidence of deliberate scholarly work and productivity. This demonstrates our commitment to the highest levels of research, for the benefit of the people and the state of Arkansas.”

The classification is based on a range of quantitative data related to the number and nature of doctoral degrees awarded annually, the amount of research grants and activity occurring, and other measures of scholarly productivity.

“I would like to congratulate the faculty and students of University of Arkansas for earning this distinction for the university and the state,” said Ashok Saxena, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “As the provost of the university who oversees all things academic, it is heartening to see that the hard work of our faculty and students is recognized in this fashion. This recognition gives us a strong platform to build on and make our research portfolio even stronger. It will certainly help us in recruiting more high-quality faculty and students.”

The Carnegie Classification is the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education. It is based on analysis of data on 4,633 colleges and universities, reassessed every five years. The Carnegie classifications are widely accepted as the standard categorization of accredited U.S. universities and colleges.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.