University of Maine and UMBC have ascended to the highest possible ranking for academic research institutions in the United States. The two universities have acheived Carnegie R1 status, reserved for the highest-acclaimed research universities in the country. They join five other current America East member institutions who claim that prestigious status.
The elevations emboldens America East’s status as one of the top academic and research-based conferences in the country:
- With Maine and UMBC’s elevation to R1 status, seven of the total 146 R1 institutions are AE schools (University at Albany, Binghamton University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Stony Brook University). That makes up 5% of the entire classification. Only 146 (4%) of the nation’s 3,982 degree-granting postsecondary institutions in the country are classified as top-tier doctoral research universities.
- Two others are R2 institutions (UMass Lowell, University of Vermont).
- America East is one of only eight athletic conferences with at least seven member institutions who have earned R1 distinction.
- America East joins the Ivy League as the only non-FBS conferences with as many as seven member institutions who have earned R1 distinction.
- America East is the only non-FBS conference with as many as nine member institutions who have earned either R1 or R2 distinction.
The Carnegie Classification® has been the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education for the past four and a half decades.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
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