A higher education institution recognized under the Carnegie Classifications for Student Access and Earnings, developed in collaboration with the American Council on Education (ACE). Institutions earning this designation must meet two core criteria:

• High Student Access – Demonstrated success in enrolling and supporting students from underrepresented, low-income, first-generation, or historically marginalized backgrounds.
• High Graduate Earnings – Evidence that graduates achieve strong post-graduation income, indicative of economic mobility and return on investment.

Institutions earning the OCU label are thus designated for balancing equitable access with meaningful economic outcomes for students.

Examples of U.S. Institutions with the OCU designation:

• Lamar University (Beaumont, Texas)
• University of Texas System Institutions - Five UT System campuses are designated OCUs: UT Arlington; UT El Paso; UT Tyler; UT Rio Grande Valley (UT RGV); UT San Antonio
• Germanna Community College (Virginia)
• Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA)
• St. Thomas University (Miami Gardens, FL)
• Albion College (Albion, MI)
• Ball State University (Muncie, IN)
• Ferris State University (Big Rapids, MI)
• Western Governors University (Salt Lake City, UT)
• New Mexico Military Institute (Roswell, NM)
• Mercy College of Health Sciences (Des Moines, IA)
• Otis College of Art and Design (Los Angeles, CA)