Dr. Jaime Taylor, Lamar University president
Lamar University and Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) has earned a classification of excellence as an Opportunity College and University (OCU) in the 2025 Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
The OCU distinction recognizes the university’s commitment to ensuring student access and successful outcomes, including competitive earnings and economic advancement opportunities.
The recognition falls within the new Student Access and Earnings Classification under the umbrella of the Carnegie Classification framework. The new classification measures how well colleges are serving their communities and providing students with pathways to economic success.
With a specific focus on student success and driving institutional improvement that can increase access to higher education and improve career outcomes, Lamar University meets the necessary criteria.
As celebrated with about 50 Lamar University staffers in the Welcome Center on May 28, the higher ed institution has been nationally recognized as an Opportunity College and University (OCU) in the newly released 2025 Carnegie Classifications for “impact on student success and economic mobility.”
President Dr. Jaime Taylor said the Carnegie Classification of Institutes of Higher Education is the “gold standard” for evaluating and classifying universities and colleges nationwide. He explained that, every three years, Carnegie Classification reviews classifications; this three-year cycle, they added a new category, Student Access and Earnings.
“Lamar University in this new category, there’s six classifications, achieved the highest classification and it was so important,” Taylor said. According to Taylor, the six classifications are Low Access, Medium Access and High Access, and there is Low Earnings, Medium Earnings and High Earnings. He noted LU in the top category — High Access and High Earnings. “They labeled it, and we are now going to be called an Opportunity University.”
Being an Opportunity University requires two key dimensions — Access and Earnings – Taylor added. Taylor said schools with Low Access and Higher Earning are MIT, Stanford and Rice: “Very difficult to get into the school but, if you do get in, and you get a degree, you make a lot of money when you come out.”
“High Access, that’s where we’re at, and what that means is students can get into the university where you are accessible. Once they get in, we help them get through a degree program, and we have degrees that are valuable, and they make a lot of money,” Taylor further detailed.
Taylor said the Carnegie Classification validates “everything that we are here at Lamar University and what we stand for.”
“Our core mission is to serve the people and the industry of Southeast Texas and this metric basically says that that’s exactly what we’re doing,” he said. “First, we’ve made college education accessible to people on Southeast Texas. We allow them to come in, we then provide them with the support they need to get out. And once they get out, they get a degree that’s very valuable. Our degrees are designed specifically to benefit those in Southeast Texas, and that shows, because people are willing to pay our graduates a lot of money.”
Taylor said, with LU being labeled as Research 2 (R2) and as an Opportunity University, it is one of 27 universities in the United States, less than one per state, to achieve the goal out of almost 4,000 institutes of higher education.
“College education represents a significant financial time and personal commitment. Today’s students seek assurance that these investments will lead to fulfilling careers and financial stability,” Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Brett Welch said. “Our recent classification as an Opportunity University affirms that we are equipping graduates, not only with the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to succeed, but also with the earning potential that validates commitment to higher education.”
All graduates are “prepared to rise quickly in their chosen fields,” Welch added.
“It’s an exciting time to be part of Lamar University,” Welch summed up. “We’re proud of our students, our faculty and staff, and the amazing impact we’re making together.”
Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recently announced they also have earned a classification of excellence as OCU. The national recognition reflects LIT’s continued commitment to preparing its students for high-quality, high-earning careers at an affordable tuition rate.
The OCU designation recognizes LIT that provides high access to students and high-earning outcomes for their graduates.
“This designation reinforces that an education at LIT is the college for individuals looking to earn quality salaries, get a quick start on their careers and land jobs in the fields shaping the future of our economy,” said Dr. Sid Valentine, LIT president. “Our students are gaining the skills and credentials that lead to long-term economic success for themselves and their families. It’s a clear return on their investment, and we’re proud to be a gateway to opportunity for so many in our community.”
In addition to the Opportunity College and University designation, LIT has also received a Special Focus Classification in Applied and Career Studies, distinguishing its role as a leader in technical education. The classification is given to institutions where at least 50% of degrees awarded are in programs designed for practical, real-world application — particularly in skilled and trade professions.
“I believe skilled workers are the backbone of Texas, and at LIT, we’re proud to be fueling that workforce. This is a national recognition of what we’ve long known — our students are gaining the real-world skills and credentials that lead to great careers, strong wages and lasting opportunity,” said Valentine. “LIT is where hard work meets high reward, and where the trades are respected, elevated and essential to the future of our state.”
— Dannie Oliveaux
