CSULB joins exclusive group of ‘R2’ institutions powering economic mobility

Published May 16, 2025
By Richard Chang Celebrated Reputation

Cal State Long Beach is one of only 27 higher-education institutions nationwide to earn both the Research 2 (R2) and the new Opportunity Colleges and Universities (OCU) Carnegie Classification designations, according to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education.

The new OCU designation recognizes colleges and universities that provide high levels of access and strong economic outcomes for students. CSULB and 14 other CSU campuses are among 479 institutions across the country to receive the OCU designation.

The R2 designation recognizes universities with high research spending and doctorate production. CSULB and eight other CSU campuses are among 139 institutions across the country to receive the R2 designation. CSULB first obtained the R2 classification in 2022.  

But only 27 institutions have both R2 and OCU designations, including four others in the CSU system.

“Being among such a select group of American institutions that have achieved both an R2 designation and special recognition for powering social mobility is a testament to the power of a Beach education,” said President Jane Close Conoley.

According to the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education data site, Cal State Long Beach comprises 61.22% underrepresented minorities, with 49.54% of students receiving Pell Grants, along with an eight-year median income of $56,802.

Those figures represent higher access and higher earnings, qualifying CSULB for the OCU designation.

The Beach also offers five doctoral programs with 64 doctoral degrees conferred last academic year (2023-24), and more than $21.4 million in research spending, allowing CSULB to continue its R2 status.  

“We are excited to see the emergence of exceptional groups such as R2s that are also OCUs. California State University, Long Beach is rare in so clearly advancing both opportunity and innovation,” said Timothy Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, in a letter to the CSULB president and provost.