Carnegie Classification
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is a framework for classifying colleges and universities in the United States. The framework primarily serves educational and research purposes, where it is often important to identify groups of comparable institutions. The classification includes all accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities in the United States that are represented in the National Center for Education Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
The framework consists of 6 classification dimenions represented below; the category within which USC Aiken falls is noted:
| Classification Dimension | Category | |
| Basic | Master's Colleges & Universities: Small Programs | |
| Undergraduate Instructional Program | Professions Plus Arts & Sciences, Some Graduate Coexistence | |
| Graduate Instructional Program | Postbaccalaureate: Business-Dominant with Arts & Sciences | |
| Enrollment Profile | High undergraduate | |
| Undergraduate Profile | Four-year, full-time, inclusive, higher transfer-in | |
| Size and Setting | Four-year, medium, primarily residential |
A flowchart highlighting USC Aiken within the complete Carnegie framework is provided for download.
