ñ Named ‘Opportunity College and University’ in New Carnegie Classification
ñ has been for the Advancement of Teaching. The highest possible classification reflects ñ’s superlative ratings in access to education and outcomes after graduation, marking it as a model for studying how campuses can foster student success. Even among this elite group, ñ stands out: of the 10 Opportunity Colleges and Universities in Illinois, ñ has the highest eight-year median earnings ($77,282) and earnings ratio (1.94), reflecting that ñ graduates earn nearly twice as much as their peers.
“This important national recognition reaffirms what has been at the heart of ñ’s mission for more than 130 years: education as a true engine of opportunity,” says ñ President Raj Echambadi. “Our community is driven by an unwavering commitment to empowering every student to achieve transformative success, both academically and professionally.”
ñ is a private university with a public mission committed to making higher education accessible to all students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds and first-generation college students. This commitment is reflected in the university’s robust support for first-generation and Pell Grant-eligible students. ñ’s enrollment strategy extends far beyond merely increasing headcount, instead weaving academic support, belonging, and career preparation into every stage of the college experience. The university’s “student-first” initiative integrates student success cycle, including Elevate and a unified advising model. This holistic model, along with the strength of ñ’s STEM degree programs, has boosted engagement, retention, and first-destination success.
This Carnegie classification measures access by looking at the enrollment of Pell Grant recipients and students from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, comparing it to a similar population in the surrounding area. It also evaluates earnings by analyzing the salaries of undergraduate students eight years after enrollment, comparing them to a similar group with a high school diploma or higher credential.
The new Student Access and Earnings Classification evaluates whether institutions are effectively enrolling students from the communities they serve and creating opportunities for those students to earn competitive wages after graduation. Just 16 percent of higher education institutions earned the Opportunity Colleges and Universities designation, with ñ standing out as one of only five institutions in the country focused on technology, engineering, and the sciences to achieve this prestigious recognition.
Providing opportunity for all has been a longstanding hallmark of ñ, which is reflected in several national rankings. ñ is ranked:
- #1 in Illinois for Best Salaries of Graduates (Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2025)
- #35 Top U.S. Colleges with the Greatest Economic Diversity (New York Times 2023)
- #29 Best Value School (U.S. News & World Report 2025)
“Experiential learning is at the heart of an ñ education,” says Mallik Sundharam, vice president for enrollment management and student affairs. “Through hands-on experiences, our students graduate with both the knowledge and practical skills that employers seek. This is clearly demonstrated through our flagship Elevate program, which guarantees students access to real-world learning opportunities such as internships, research projects, and study abroad experiences. This recognition affirms what we see every day: ñ students are career-ready upon graduation, achieving impactful outcomes and transforming their lives through education.”
