LIM College has been recognized as an “Opportunity College” by the Carnegie Classifications. This is a new national designation which recognizes colleges and universities that afford all types of students the opportunity to access higher education and earn competitive wages post-graduation.
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education. The 2025 Student Access and Earnings Classification examines the extent to which an institution is enrolling students who reflect the communities it serves and whether its students go on to earn competitive wages compared to peers in their area.
Colleges and universities that have higher-than-expected ratios of access and earnings compared to the entire population of the region are designated as Opportunity Colleges and Universities. Four hundred and seventy-nine schools nationwide received the “opportunity” designation, signifying high levels of access and strong economic outcomes for students.
“We want this to be and be seen as higher education holding itself accountable for ensuring student access and success,” Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, said in an interview with Inside Higher Ed. “We don’t think we can convince the American public of the value of higher education unless we can first convince them that they have access to high-quality education that will propel them along in their version of the American dream.”
The classification is based on data reported to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), data collected by the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Institutions receive two measures: one for access, which is based on the percentage of students who receive Pell Grants and the percentage of undergraduate students who are from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds, and one that is based on undergraduate students' post-attendance earnings eight years after entering the school.
"At LIM College, we are deeply committed to providing transformative, hands-on educational experiences that open doors and expand career opportunities,” said LIM College President Ron Marshall.
“Being recognized as an Opportunity College by the Carnegie Classifications highlights our focus on empowering students from all backgrounds to thrive—both in college and in their future careers."
