Monmouth University has secured recognition as a research college and university (RCU) in the 2025 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education from the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, which recently updated its methodology to better account for and reflect the multifaceted, wide-ranging research landscape of higher education institutions in America.
The designation places Monmouth within a select group of 542 colleges and universities that Carnegie recognizes for their research activity and spending.
“Our inclusion affirms the ongoing commitment of our faculty and students to scholarly inquiry, innovation, and research excellence,” said Provost Rich Veit, Ph.D. “This achievement places us within the top 14 percent of U.S. institutions engaged in research, according to Carnegie’s criteria.”
Carnegie classified only 216 institutions nationwide as RCUs. Institutions in this category typically spend more than $2.5 million annually on research. This designation highlights the contributions of smaller and mid-sized universities that had not previously received national recognition for research activity.
“Before these updates, it was not clear what was required for institutions to earn a research designation. This confusion created distractions and unproductive competition between colleges and universities. Now, the designations are more straightforward, and we are hopeful they will better capture the wide array of institutions whose missions include research,” said Mushtaq Gunja, executive director of the Carnegie Classification systems and senior vice president at ACE. “Research is one of the pillars of American higher education, so it is crucial we have a comprehensive view of how it is reflected at institutions across the country.”
With this classification, Monmouth joins a distinguished group of research institutions in the Northeast, where approximately 130 universities hold Carnegie research status. This group includes Ivy League schools and premier private institutions. In New Jersey, Monmouth ranks among only four private universities with this research distinction, reinforcing its role in the state’s higher education landscape.
“This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students,” Veit added. “Their commitment to research and scholarship continues to elevate Monmouth’s academic profile and drive our mission forward.”