The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is a framework used to categorize colleges and universities in the United States. Developed by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, it classifies institutions based on factors such as their degree offerings, enrollment size, and research activity. This classification helps students, researchers, and policymakers understand the landscape of higher education. The classification system includes categories like Doctoral Universities, Master's Colleges and Universities, and Baccalaureate Colleges. Each category reflects the institution's mission and the types of degrees it offers, providing a useful tool for comparing and analyzing higher education institutions across the country.