OSU maintains prestigious recognition as Carnegie R1 institution
Friday, February 21, 2025
Media Contact: Sydney Trainor | Communications and Media Relations Specialist | 405-744-9782 | sydney.trainor@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University has once again secured its designation as a Carnegie R1 research institution, reinforcing its position among the top research universities in the nation.
The American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching published the 2025 Research Activity Designations on Feb. 13, unveiling an updated methodology that brings transparency to the classification process.
“This reaffirmation of OSU’s R1 status is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, researchers and students who are pushing the boundaries of discovery,” said Dr. Kenneth Sewell, OSU vice president for research. “As a land-grant institution, our mission is to conduct research that directly benefits our communities, industries and the broader society. Maintaining R1 status enhances our ability to attract top-tier talent, secure competitive funding and expand the impact of our research enterprise.
“For OSU, R1 status is more than just a classification — it is a commitment to excellence in research and education. The designation fosters opportunities for public and private partnerships, supports economic development in the state, and strengthens OSU’s reputation as a leader in innovation and scholarly advancement.”
OSU remains one of only 187 institutions in the U.S. to hold the prestigious R1 designation, now officially titled Research 1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production. The new classification sets a clear threshold of at least $50 million in total research and development spending and the awarding of at least 70 doctoral research degrees. These figures are determined using data from the National Science Foundation’s higher education research and development survey and the National Center for Education Statistics’ integrated postsecondary education data system.
“These updates to the Carnegie Classifications are the first step to bringing a decades-old system into the 21st century,” said Timothy F.C. Knowles, Carnegie Foundation president. “We are expanding our recognition of the range of ways colleges and universities engage in research and development. And we are taking the guesswork out of what it takes to be recognized as an R1 institution. Over time, this will be good for the sector, for scholarship, for policymakers and for students.”