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  4. Holy Family University Earns Prestigious Carnegie Classification as an “Opportunity College and University” for Driving Economic Mobility

Holy Family University Earns Prestigious Carnegie Classification as an “Opportunity College and University” for Driving Economic Mobility

A group of students enjoying a nice day outside.

Holy Family University is proud to announce that it has been recognized in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications as a national leader in student opportunity and outcomes, earning the designation of an “Opportunity College and University – Higher Access, Higher Earnings.” This new recognition underscores Holy Family’s commitment to enrolling students both locally and regionally while helping them achieve strong economic outcomes after graduation.

The Opportunity Colleges and Universities designation is part of a newly developed Student Access and Earnings Classification from the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education. This new framework evaluates how well institutions support student success by measuring whether they enroll students whose backgrounds and circumstances reflect those of the surrounding community – and whether those students go on to earn more than their peers in the region.

In 2025, 479 institutions – approximately 16% of all U.S. colleges and universities in the Student Access and Earnings Classification – earned the Opportunity designation.

To receive the "Higher Access, Higher Earnings" designation, institutions must demonstrate a dual impact:

  • An access ratio of 1 or higher (indicating that the student body is as diverse or more diverse than the community it serves).
  • An earnings ratio of 1.5 or higher (meaning graduates earn significantly more than their local high school-only counterparts).

“Being named an Opportunity University is a powerful reminder of what we’ve always believed at Holy Family—education changes lives,” said Dr. Anne Prisco, president of Holy Family University. “We’re proud to open doors for our students and their families, and even prouder to see them walk through and thrive.”

This new classification is part of a broader effort to reimagine how excellence in higher education is defined—shifting the national conversation toward social mobility and regional economic impact. By linking affordable access with outcomes, the new Carnegie framework recognizes institutions that deliver meaningful, life-changing opportunities—not just degrees.