May 3, 2025
By Alfred State College Spokesperson Paul Welker
Alfred State College (ASC) earned a No. 1 ranking in the US among colleges and universities through analysis of a coveted dual recognition from the Carnegie Foundation’s newly expanded classifications. The two designations are for career-readiness with applied learning and for offering a combination of high student access with exceptional graduate earnings.
Only three public schools across the country received both the prestigious designations of “Applied and Career Studies” and “Opportunity College and University: Higher Access & Higher Earnings” while also being recognized by Carnegie for offering a choice of two-year associate and four-year bachelor’s degrees. Alfred State not only earned both Carnegie designations but also scored highest among the three institutions, demonstrating the college’s commitment to student success and social mobility.
“For years, universities have taken great pride in Carnegie Classifications for excellence in research,” said Dr. Steven Mauro, President of Alfred State. “We’re thrilled that Carnegie now recognizes what we’ve always prioritized, life-changing outcomes for students and a return on investment for families. We’re proud that ASC stands out nationally.”
Alfred State is the only public college in New York to be recognized for the “Applied and Career Studies” special focus. ASC qualified for the honor by offering a wide variety of associate and bachelor’s degrees with a strong focus on real-world, hands-on education, including high-demand skilled trades.
In addition, Alfred State’s designation as an “Opportunity College and University” places the college among just 16 percent nationally, and one of only seven State University of New York (SUNY) campuses with this distinction. To earn placement on this elite list, universities and colleges must:
- Provide greater economic mobility measured by the number of Pell Grant recipients served and other signs of inclusion.
- Deliver exceptional median earnings eight years after graduation, compared to peers with only a high school diploma.
“Our students are supported by what we call the ‘A-Team’ for a full network of wraparound services that extend from academic and financial guidance to health, safety, and career services,” said Dr. Carrie Cokely, VP of Academic Affairs. “At the heart is our Center for Academic Resources and Excellence (CARE). The dedication by our faculty, tutors, and staff to assist students shows how we truly care from your first year through graduation.”
Among the three public institutions recognized for both designations and offering two-year and four-year degrees, Alfred State led in access and earnings:
| College | Classification | Degrees | Student Access and Earnings | Access Score | Earnings Score | Pell % |
| Alfred State College – SUNY | Applied and Career Studies | Assoc. & Bach. | Higher Access & Higher Earnings | 2.14 | 1.49 | 45% |
| Public Tech School in Washington State | Applied and Career Studies | Assoc. & Bach. | Higher Access & Higher Earnings | 1.47 | 1.35 | 33% |
| Public Tech School in Pennsylvania | Applied and Career Studies | Assoc. & Bach. | Higher Access & Higher Earnings | 1.00 | 1.44 | 32% |
A score of 1.00 indicates that a college is average for its region. ASC’s access score of 2.14 means that the college offers access that is more than double the socio-economic composition of the region. The 1.49 earnings score means median earnings of graduates are 49 percent more than high school graduates aged 22-40 in the region.
College leaders believe Carnegie’s classifications affirm Alfred State’s national leadership in hands-on, career-focused education, while providing both opportunity and outcomes. More information regarding ASC honors is available at www.AlfredState.edu/rankings.
About the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching:
The mission of the Carnegie Foundation is to catalyze transformational change in education so that every student has the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified, and fulfilling life. Enacted by an act of Congress in 1906, the Foundation has a rich history of driving transformational change in the education sector, including the establishment of TIAA-CREF and the creation of the Education Testing Service, the GRE, Pell Grants, and the Carnegie Classifications for Higher Education. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
About the American Council on Education:
ACE unites and leads higher education institutions toward a shared vision for the future. With more than 1,600 member colleges, universities, and associations, ACE designs solutions for today’s challenges and advances public policy to support a diverse and dynamic higher education sector. www.ACEnet.edu
Caption: Alfred State students work in the math lab with a mathematics support specialist. ASC recently earned Carnegie Foundation designations for career-readiness with applied learning and for offering a combination of high student access with exceptional graduate earnings.
