Hocking College Recognized as a 2025 Opportunity College by Carnegie Foundation, American Council on Education

Hocking College (Hocking) has been recognized nationally for its innovative efforts to increase access and success for students in higher education. The college is among just 60 community colleges across the country and the only community college in Ohio to earn the Opportunity College & University (OCU) designation in the newly released 2025 Carnegie Classifications.

The designation, awarded by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in partnership with the American Council on Education (ACE), celebrates institutions that provide both broad access to higher education and strong earning outcomes for students after graduation compared to peers in their area.

“Being recognized as an Opportunity College affirms what we’ve long believed at Hocking: that education should be both accessible and transformative,” said Dr. Betty Young, president of Hocking College. “We’re not just preparing students to earn credentials and certificates; we’re preparing them to build meaningful lives, successful careers and thriving communities.”

The OCU designation is part of the new Student Access and Earnings Classification, announced in Washington, D.C., on April 24. Of the 3,927 institutions reviewed nationwide, only 479 received the OCU recognition, with Hocking College standing out as one of just 60 community colleges included.

Opportunity Colleges demonstrate that higher education can be both accessible and meaningful. These institutions serve as models of how colleges can achieve both access and success, enabling students to find affordable education and competitive wages in their region. 

For more information about the Opportunity College designation and the full set of 2025 Carnegie Classifications, please visit https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu.

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