UC Irvine has been recognized as one of only three Association of American Universities institutions nationwide to receive the Higher Access, Higher Earnings designation in the newly released 2025 Carnegie Student Access and Earnings Classification.

This prestigious recognition underscores UC Irvine’s exceptional record in enrolling students from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds and providing them with the support they need to succeed in the workforce. Eight years after graduation, UC Irvine graduates earn significantly more than their peers with only a high school diploma, demonstrating the university’s transformative impact.

Among all California AAU campuses, UC Irvine stands out for its unique approach that combines academic excellence with opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. The AAU is a prestigious organization comprising 71 leading research universities in the United States and Canada, dedicated to transforming lives through education, research and innovation. This holistic approach helps to close equity gaps and fosters upward mobility.

UC Irvine is committed to serving its diverse student body. The campus is designated as both a federally designated Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution and a Hispanic-Serving Institution. It is also a member of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities. The Princeton Review recognized UC Irvine as the fifth-best-value public college in its 2024 rankings, based on a comprehensive evaluation of academic quality, costs, financial aid, debt, graduation rates, and alumni career and salary data. Additionally, the California Mobility Index rates UC Irvine among the top universities in California for its commitment to inclusivity and excellence in student outcomes.

The Opportunity Colleges and Universities designation is part of a newly published Student Access and Earnings Classification by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education this month. This classification evaluates how institutions foster student success by assessing their enrollment practices and comparing student earnings to those of peers in their respective areas.

The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education serves as the primary framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education. The Carnegie Foundation’s mission is to catalyze transformative change in education, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to lead a healthy, dignified and fulfilling life.