UC Blue Ash and UC Clermont earn national recognition for student opportunity and success
The University of Cincinnati’s regional colleges — UC Blue Ash and UC Clermont — have each received prestigious national recognition through the newly established Student Access and Earnings Classification, announced by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education.
Both colleges have been named Opportunity Colleges and Universities, a distinction awarded to institutions that serve as national models for advancing student success. This recognition highlights colleges that enroll students reflective of their communities and whose graduates achieve strong earnings outcomes compared to regional peers.
In 2025, only 479 institutions — representing approximately 16 percent of U.S. colleges and universities — were honored with the Opportunity designation under this new classification system.
“This notable recognition reflects the unwavering dedication of our faculty and staff to continuously meet students wherever they are in their academic journeys,” said UC Clermont Dean Jeff Bauer. “As UC’s regional campuses, providing pathways to opportunity will always be at the heart of our missions. Students, alumni, faculty and staff should be proud of this accomplishment.”
The Student Access and Earnings Classification utilizes a multidimensional approach to compare student access and earnings across institutions with similar missions and student populations, based on the 2025 Institutional Classification framework.
“This ranking affirms our mission. It underscores the unique combination we provide: a nationally recognized education, tremendous value and individual attention. Our commitment to student success ensures that students thrive both academically and professionally,” said UC Blue Ash Dean Robin Lightner.
UC Blue Ash and UC Clermont each offer more than 50 academic programs, including bachelor’s degrees, and all the benefits of being a University of Cincinnati Bearcat. As UC’s regional colleges, they also provide the added advantages of small class sizes, low tuition, a personalized approach to their education, free academic resources and convenient locations.
To learn more about the classification and its methodology, visit Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education®.
About the Carnegie Classification: The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education. The Carnegie Commission on Higher Education developed the classification in 1973 to support its program of research and policy analysis, and it was updated in 1976, 1987, 1994, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2018, 2021 and 2025 to reflect changes among colleges and universities. It will next be updated in 2028, with subsequent updates every three years.
About UC Clermont: UC Clermont College is in the center of Clermont County on 95 beautifully wooded acres in Batavia Township. The college is an accredited, open-access institution offering more than 60 programs and degrees. UC Clermont is part of the nationally recognized University of Cincinnati. For more information, call 513-556-5400 or visit www.ucclermont.edu.
About UC Blue Ash: UC Blue Ash College is a regional college of the University of Cincinnati. It offers access to a nationally recognized UC education in more than 50 academic programs, as well as tuition that is about half that of most colleges and universities. The college is located on a 135-acre wooded campus in the heart of Blue Ash, Ohio. To learn more, call 513-558-9495, visit us online at www.ucblueash.edu, like UC Blue Ash on Facebook or follow UC Blue Ash on X and Instagram.
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