Soumitra Ghosh, PhD Vice President, Enrollment Management | Depaul University

DePaul University in Chicago has been awarded the designation of "Opportunity College and University" by the Carnegie Classifications. This accolade highlights the institution's role as a benchmark for campuses fostering student success. DePaul is one of only three in Chicago and 13 in Illinois to receive this designation.

The "Opportunity Colleges and Universities" designation is part of a new "Student Access and Earnings Classification" released by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education. The classification measures institutions on their ability to enroll students reflecting their communities and compares their earnings to peers in the area.

Robert L. Manuel, President of DePaul, stated, "DePaul’s Catholic, Vincentian mission calls us to make education accessible to all. Being recognized by the Carnegie Classifications affirms our steadfast commitment to expanding access to education and empowering every student to reach their full potential. This honor is a testament to the extraordinary work of our faculty, staff, and students – and to DePaul’s unwavering dedication to creating pathways for opportunity and lifelong success.”

According to reports, a significant proportion of DePaul's undergraduate students fall into the demographic categories considered in the new classification. Specifically, 37.6% identify as coming from underrepresented minorities, and 31% receive Pell Grants, which help those with exceptional financial needs.

The "Opportunity Colleges and Universities" classification includes 479 institutions in 2025, representing about 16% of U.S. higher education institutions that meet the requirements of student access and earnings standards evaluated by the new classification methodology. This methodology utilizes multidimensional groupings from the 2025 Institutional Classification to assess student access and earnings across similar institutions.

More details on this classification can be accessed through official channels.