Nine Michigan Universities Recognized as National Leaders in Research Excellence, Prestigious Group Declares

On February 13, 2025, the American Council on Education and Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching announced new research activity designations for colleges and universities in Michigan. Among over 90 institutions in the state, only a select few have achieved recognition as elite research institutions based on updated criteria.

Fast Answer: The Carnegie Foundation released its 2025 research activity designations, recognizing 16 Michigan institutions. Eight received top-tier designations: R1 or R2, indicating significant annual research expenditures. Notable schools include Michigan State University and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

The Carnegie Classifications serve as an essential framework for categorizing higher education institutions based on various characteristics such as degree types and institutional size. This year’s updates clarify what is required for institutions to earn a research designation. Mushtaq Gunja, executive director of the Carnegie Classification systems, noted that these changes better represent the diversity of institutions focused on research.

In total, 16 Michigan colleges received one of three key designations:

• R1: Institutions spending over $50 million annually on research and awarding at least 70 doctoral degrees.
• R2: Institutions spending more than $5 million annually on research with at least 20 doctoral degrees awarded.
• RCU: Research colleges and universities that spend over $2.5 million annually on research.

The majority of recognized institutions fall under the RCU category.

The following Michigan universities received R1 or R2 designations:

<< td >University of Michigan-Dearborn< / t d >< t d >Dearborn< / t d >< t d >R2< / t d >< t d >8 ,783< / t d >< t r >< t d >Wayne State University< / t d >< t d >Detroit< / t d >< t d >R1< / t d >< t d >26 ,241< / t d >

University	Location	Research Designation	Enrollment (Fall 2020)
Michigan State University	East Lansing	R1	49,695
Michigan Technological University	Houghton	R1	6,873
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	An Arbor	R1	47,907
Eastern Michigan University	Ypsilanti< / td >	R2< / td >	16,294< / td > < / tr >
Central Michigan University< / td >	Mount Pleasant< / td >	R2< / td >	17,311< / td > < / tr >
Oakland University< / td >	Rochester Hills< / td >	R2< / td >	18,552< / td > < / tr >

This recognition highlights the commitment to advancing educational excellence through substantial investment in research activities across these prominent institutions in Michigan.

Caution: Canadian readers should note that similar classifications may exist within Canada’s post-secondary education system; however, specific metrics and categorizations may differ significantly from those used by U.S. institutions.

The recent Carnegie Classifications underscore the importance placed on research within higher education in Michigan. As these universities continue to enhance their academic offerings through significant funding towards research initiatives, they play a crucial role in contributing to knowledge advancement both locally and globally.