Lorman, Mississippi, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The newly redesigned Carnegie Classifications system has recognized Alcorn State University with several designations.

The University has earned the "Research Colleges and Universities" designation under the 2025 Carnegie Research Classifications.

This recognition places Alcorn among just 216 institutions nationwide that demonstrate significant research activity while maintaining a strong commitment to teaching.

"Carnegie's recognition of Alcorn highlights our continuous investment in our research capacity and the work of our dedicated students, faculty, and staff who made this achievement possible," said Dr. Tracy M. Cook, president of Alcorn State. "Our research helps us to address some of the most pressing challenges of our communities while continuing our commitment to teaching and service."

As a highlight, Alcorn stands as one of only two institutions in Mississippi to receive a research designation in this category and is the only public University in the state to achieve this status. The classification acknowledges institutions with a minimum of $2.5 million in research and development expenditures.

Alcorn's research activity for fiscal year 2023 was $19,141,000. Areas that contributed to the institution's research activity designation include the Office of Community Development, College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, Extension Services, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Nursing, and Title III.

"Alcorn State University has a long history of conducting research that addresses the needs of Southwest Mississippi and the nation," said Dr. Edmund Buckner, associate vice president for research, innovation, and graduate education.  "Alcorn is honored to be recognized as a Carnegie RCU for our research output and the numerous scholars produced by our graduate programs each year."

Special Focus on Arts and Sciences

In the 2025 Institutional Classification, Alcorn State University has been recognized as a "Special Focus: Arts and Sciences" institution. This means that while Alcorn primarily awards degrees in the humanities, arts, social sciences, and general sciences, some programs may also include coursework in STEM-related fields.

The University currently offers one graduate certificate, one associate's degree, 29 bachelor's degrees, 14 master's degrees, one specialist degree,  and one doctoral program.

Driving Economic Mobility

Alcorn received the "Opportunity Colleges and Universities – Higher Access, Higher Earnings" designation under the 2025 Student Access and Earnings Classification. This recognition places Alcorn in an elite group of only 16% of classified institutions nationwide. It is one of two universities in the state of Mississippi recognized for this designation.

The Opportunity Colleges and Universities designation is part of a newly developed Student Access and Earnings Classification published this month by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education. This new classification examines the extent to which institutions foster opportunities for student success by measuring whether they enroll students reflective of the communities they serve and how the earnings of those students compare to peers in their area.

The designation recognizes Alcorn's quality performance in two critical areas —

Access: Alcorn meets or exceeds benchmarks for enrolling Pell Grant recipients and students from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups relative to local demographics.

Earnings: Alcorn graduates earn the same or up to 50% more than the median income of comparable groups eight years after entry.

"Alcorn State University provides a quality education at an affordable price for our students," said Cook. An Alcorn State education has the transformative power to change students' lives in unimaginable ways and create a path for upward economic mobility. Our graduates leave Alcorn job ready from day one, lead successful careers, and make immediate contributions to their communities across our nation and world."

Learn more about the classifications and methodology by visiting the Carnegie Classifications of Higher Education Institutions.

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• Alcorn State earns multiple distinctions in redesigned Carnegie Classifications system

Maxine Greenleaf
Alcorn State University
6018776131
mgreenleaf@alcorn.edu