Grinnell College Earns New Research Activity Designation in 2025 Carnegie Classifications
The Carnegie Classifications have long been a hallmark of institutions that excel in research and practice. This year, under the newly reimagined classification system, Grinnell has been designated as a Research College and University, reflecting the College’s ongoing commitment to scholarly inquiry and impactful research.
This designation is a first for Grinnell, as the 2025 Carnegie Classification system introduces a more nuanced approach to categorizing institutions based on their research activity. In the previous 2021 classification, Grinnell was categorized under Baccalaureate Colleges: Arts & Sciences Focus. The new Research Activity Designations, which are now being published separately from the broader Institutional Classifications, provide a more accurate representation of research engagement across different types of higher education institutions.
Key Data Supporting Grinnell’s Research Colleges and Universities Designation:
- Research Expenditures: $7,597,000 (FY23)
The Research Activity Designation is determined using data from the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Institutions qualify for the Research Colleges and Universities category if they spend at least $2.5 million annually on research and development but do not meet the higher thresholds for the R1 (Very High Research Activity) or R2 (High Research Activity) categories. Grinnell is one of a small number of selective small liberal arts colleges to receive the designation.
“The designation of Grinnell College as a Research College and University highlights the depth of scholarly engagement and investment in research that takes place on our campus. Research that advances knowledge drives innovation in the curriculum and quality teaching. It is a point of pride for us that Grinnell faculty members collectively model and foster inquiry-driven learning across disciplines,” said Interim Dean Jerry Seaman.
Faculty research, scholarship, and creative activity is a key factor in undergraduate access to mentored research experiences. Almost two-thirds of Grinnell College graduates participate in an undergraduate research experience. In 2024 alone, 58 Grinnell students were listed as co-authors with faculty on peer-reviewed publications, conference papers, and presentations.
In late April 2025, the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation will publish the full 2025 Institutional Classifications, which will group institutions based on degree types, fields of study, and institutional size. Until then, Grinnell College’s 2021 Basic Classification remains applicable alongside the new 2025 Research Activity Designation.