Les Wietstock Chief Operating Officer | Dickinson State University
Les Wietstock Chief Operating Officer | Dickinson State University
Dickinson State University (DSU) has been acknowledged by the 2025 Carnegie Classification and the American Council on Education (ACE) under the category of Professions-Focused Baccalaureate Small Institution. This updated classification offers a clearer picture of the higher education landscape in the United States. It organizes institutions by type of degrees offered, academic focus, and size, using data from the 2020–2023 academic years submitted to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The classification system is intended to aid research and strategic planning across various educational sectors.
Additionally, DSU has received a distinction in the 2025 Student Access and Earnings Classification as Higher Access, Medium Earnings. This new analysis model assesses how institutions perform in serving diverse student populations and evaluates graduates' economic outcomes eight years after starting. This classification uses data from IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, and U.S. Census Bureau data to measure access through Pell Grant participation and the enrollment of underrepresented students.
Holly Gruhlke, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost, stated, “DSU’s recognition as a higher access, medium earning institution highlights our dedication to preparing students for meaningful careers, especially in fields like education. We’re proud to provide accessible, high-quality education that empowers graduates to make a real impact while earning wages that support their lifestyles.”
The Economic Mobility Index framework within the Carnegie Classification defines "Higher Access, Medium Earnings" institutions as those with a significant enrollment of students from low-income backgrounds, often reflected by the percentage of Pell Grant recipients. These schools produce moderate post-graduation earnings for graduates, offering an economic return on investment for students from historically underserved communities. While not matching the salaries of graduates from elite schools, these earnings are still above average for similar institutions. Schools in this classification play a key role in facilitating social and economic mobility.
Overall, the classifications emphasize DSU’s mission to broaden educational access and prepare students for successful careers.
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