NDSU has again been recognized as one of the country’s top research institutions by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
NDSU has again been recognized as one of the country’s top research institutions by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The Research 1 distinction is Carnegie’s highest classification and is presented to the nation’s top research institutions.
“Earning this classification reaffirms NDSU’s track record of excellence in all areas of research,” NDSU President David Cook said. “The R1 distinction aligns with NDSU’s long-standing reputation as a leader. Our faculty experts have made groundbreaking discoveries that contribute to national success in areas such as agriculture, materials and coatings, healthcare, and engineering, and they continue to prepare students to become tomorrow’s leaders in the workforce.”
The university ranks among the nation’s top 100 public research institutions and several dozens of NDSU researchers are included among the top 2% of the most cited researchers in the world.
Colleen Fitzgerald, NDSU Vice President for Research and Creative Activity, linked the R1 classification to NDSU’s role as North Dakota’s land grant institution.
“Our land grant mission drives us to deliver services to the state that include cutting-edge research and transformative education opportunities,” Fitzgerald said. “This combination helps diversify and bolster our state’s economy by preparing a highly skilled workforce that will improve the world through the knowledge they learn at NDSU.”
Since 1973, the Carnegie Classification has been the leading framework for recognizing excellence in research activities at higher education institutions. In 2022, Carnegie and the American Council on Education partnered to re-envision the future of the Carnegie Classifications. A new version, set to launch in 2025, aims to better reflect the public purpose, mission and impact of higher education. A total of 187 institutions nationwide received the designation of R1 in 2025.
