ADA, Ohio — New classifications by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education reinforce the value and return on investment of an Ohio Northern University (ONU) education.
Ohio Northern is recognized as a "Mixed Undergraduate/Graduate-Doctorate Small" institution and classified as "Lower Access, Higher Earnings” in the newly redesigned 2025 Carnegie Classifications.
The new classification system, which provides a more comprehensive framework for categorizing U.S. higher education institutions, places ONU among a select group of just 30 institutions nationwide—representing only 1% of all U.S. colleges and universities— that combine doctoral-level academic offerings with the personalized educational experience of a small university setting.
The "Mixed Undergraduate/Graduate-Doctorate Small" classification specifically recognizes institutions that:
- Maintain a significant doctoral program while balancing undergraduate and graduate education;
- Deliver a diverse mix of academic programs rather than focusing on a single specialty;
- Serve fewer than 4,000 total students, providing a more intimate learning environment.
“This classification affirms our unique strengths and value,” said Melissa J. Baumann, Ph.D., President of Ohio Northern University. "Our distinctive position as a small university offering both undergraduate and doctoral programs allows us to provide students with the personalized, focussed attention of a small institution, while delivering the advanced educational opportunities typically found at larger universities."
Ohio Northern was also classified as "Lower Access, Higher Earnings" in the new Student Access and Earnings Classification, which evaluates institutions based on student demographics and post-graduation success. This designation, shared by only 10% of U.S. institutions, highlights ONU's exceptional track record of recruiting students who can be successful at the university that go on to earn higher wages than their peers.
"The 'Higher Earnings' designation validates what employers have long recognized about Ohio Northern graduates—they are exceptionally well-prepared to make immediate and significant contributions in their fields," Baumann said. "This data-driven classification confirms that an ONU degree delivers an outstanding return on investment for our students and their families."
According to the Carnegie Classifications methodology, institutions receiving the "Higher Earnings" designation demonstrate that their former students earn at least 50% more than the median earnings of demographically similar high school graduates in the regions where students are employed. This metric is measured eight years after students enter the institution and includes all undergraduate students who received federal financial aid.
The new Carnegie Classifications represent a complete redesign of the previous system, offering a more nuanced view of institutional diversity across American higher education. The classifications examine institutions based on multiple dimensions, including the types and fields of degrees awarded and institutional size.
The Carnegie Classifications are updated every three years and are widely regarded as the leading framework for recognizing and categorizing U.S. higher education institutions.
About Ohio Northern University
Located in Northwest Ohio, Ohio Northern University is a private United Methodist institution that offers distinctive, nationally recognized programs of study that prepare students to lead, excel and serve throughout the world. In 2024, ONU graduates enjoyed a 96% placement rate in full-time jobs and graduate school admissions six months after graduation. The University and its academic programs are consistently ranked as being among the best in the region, state and nation by entities such as the Wall Street Journal and U.S. News & World Report. ONU’s 3,000 students are enrolled in more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs offered within the colleges of Arts & Sciences, Pharmacy, Engineering, Business Administration and Law. To learn more, visit www.onu.edu.