Washington Adventist University has been officially recognized as an Opportunity College and University (OCU) in the latest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, a distinction awarded to only 16 percent of more than 3,000 colleges and universities nationwide. 

The new OCU category highlights institutions that provide higher access and produce higher earnings for graduates. WAU’s inclusion in this prestigious classification affirms the university’s commitment to delivering transformative education that empowers students from diverse backgrounds to thrive both professionally and personally.

“WAU provides more opportunities to deserving students than nearly any other four-year institution,” said Weymouth Spence, president of WAU. “This new Carnegie OCU classification highlights the effectiveness of our faith-driven mission of Adventist excellence in higher education and the transformative impact this has on the lives of our students.”

Out of more than 1,400 four-year (baccalaureate level) colleges in the United States, WAU ranks among the top for student access while also producing graduates with above-average earnings. WAU is one of only six institutions in Maryland to receive the OCU designation and the only Seventh-day Adventist university in the “baccalaureate and above” category to achieve this honor. 

Unlike many peer institutions, WAU is distinct as a vibrant, international community — representing students from over 40 countries — located just outside the nation’s capital. Its liberal arts foundation and faith-infused curriculum cultivate competent, moral leaders ready to make a global impact. 

“Our Vision 2030 strategic plan is rooted in distinctive excellence in student success,” added Spence. “At WAU, all of God’s children are welcome, and we partner with students to help them graduate on time, with little to no debt, and prepared for both the workplace and eternity.” 

The Carnegie Foundation’s updated classification solidifies WAU’s national standing as a university where access meets achievement, and where education is a vehicle for both personal and professional transformation. 

— Everett Wiles is Washington Adventist University's vice president for Integrated Marketing and Communication. 

The Carnegie Classification® is the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education. Washington Adventist University is a private university with a liberal arts tradition, offering a dynamic blend of professional and liberal arts undergraduate and graduate programs.