Banner displaying a grid of red, white, and blue icons on the left half, each icon representing Florida Atlantic University colleges and institutes: lightbulb, pie chart, and briefcase for College of Business; test tube, beaker, and flask for Division of Research; shark fin, bird, and turtle for Charles E. Schmidt College of Science; raindrop, dolphin, and mountain for Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute; pen, measuring tool, and paint palette for Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters; brain, microscope, and puzzle pieces for Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute; location pin, palm tree, and sun for Florida Atlantic University; graduation cap, ribbon, diploma, and pencil for Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, College of Education, and Graduate College; gavel and building with pillars for College of Social Work and Criminal Justice; robotic hand, network, gear, and VR glasses for Institute for Sensing and Embedded Network Systems Engineering and College of Engineering and Computer Science; medical cross, paw print, heart, and ribbon for Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, and Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention. Centered within the left icon grid, on a dark blue background, are the letters 'R1' in white. The right side has a gray background with the words 'Celebrate the' in blue font, and 'Possibilities' in red fancy font centered below the blue text.

Florida Atlantic is a top-tier research university ...

It’s a big deal

Florida Atlantic University has achieved the pinnacle of research excellence. In 2025, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education designated Florida Atlantic as R1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production – the most prestigious research accolade in the country.

In the competitive landscape of higher education, the Carnegie Classification plays a pivotal role in determining a university’s standing. This distinction highlights Florida Atlantic’s commitment to excellence in research and education, creating a magnet to draw in world-class faculty, top-tier students, new funding sources and global collaboration.

Higher Access, Higher Earnings

Florida Atlantic is one of only 21 institutions in the nation to earn both Carnegie Classifications of R1, a top-tier research university, and an Opportunity University, as a model for student success.

By providing higher access to a world-class education that leads to higher earnings, Florida Atlantic is transforming lives and creating generational change.

Read more.

About R1 Journey to R1
“At Florida Atlantic, we are not just building a university – we are shaping a future where discovery knows no boundaries, collaboration drives innovation, and education transforms lives. The challenges we face today demand bold solutions, and Florida Atlantic is prepared to lead the way.”
— Gregg Fields, Ph.D., Vice President for Research