Methodist College Receives Coveted Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education®

Methodist College is honored to be recognized as a 2025 Opportunity College by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education®. This honor demonstrates the college’s continued commitment to not only foster a drive for a successful career in healthcare for students but to create pathways to extend access to higher education for all community members.   

“We are honored to be awarded the designation of an Opportunity College,” Kayla Banks, PhD, RN Chancellor of Methodist College, said. “Student success is core to our mission at Methodist College, where we pride ourselves on offering individualized support for our students to achieve exceptional outcomes. We are passionate about advancing modern educational practices to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals and it’s a privilege to see the impact Methodist College students bring to our region every day."

The Carnegie Classification® is the leading framework for recognizing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education. The Classifications offer a system for organizing the diverse set of degree-granting colleges and universities and is the premier benchmark in the study of higher education.

The Opportunity Colleges and Universities category is a new addition this year, which focuses on institutions that provide extended access to eligible but marginalized students with a pathway to a sustainable career upon graduation.

“This Carnegie Classification encourages us to continue to support our vision for collaborating with our students for their future and for the sustainable health of our communities,” Octavian Gabor, PhD, Methodist College Dean of Academic Affairs said. “Methodist College is an academic institution that is oriented toward improving lives, be them the lives of our students or of those our students will care for.”

This honor comes as Methodist College celebrates 125 years of providing a learning environment that gives future healthcare administrators, social workers and nurses the tools needed to take on the health challenges of today and tomorrow. Students at Methodist College have demonstrated an elite level of success, evidenced by one of the highest National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) pass rates in Illinois for the last two years. Additionally, the college is committed to extending access by providing eligible students with the opportunity to step into a rewarding career without out-of-pocket tuition expenses thanks to its Academic Investment Program through Carle Health.

Methodist College continues its mission to lead the region in developing local clinical expertise that improves the wellbeing of families and individuals across central Illinois and beyond.