Russell Sage College stands uniquely among only 58 colleges and universities, or 1% percent of the institutions included in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications, as a small college with a professions focus and a strong mix of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs.

The American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching published the latest in a series of updates to the Carnegie Classifications in April, designating Russell Sage as a Professions-focused Undergraduate/Graduate-Doctorate Small institution.

“We really have a unique place in the landscape of higher education,” said Russell Sage College President Matthew Shaftel. “Our mix of healthcare, education, business, and arts and sciences programs spanning from the bachelor to the doctoral levels create a very special learning environment for our students, as well as strong outcomes.”

Among all 2024 surveyed graduates, 95% are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduating with an average annual salary of $71,415. The annual outcomes survey has a very high response rate of 91%.

Since 1973, the Carnegie Classification has served as the gold standard for organizing the landscape of U.S. higher education. The 2025 Institutional Classification updates the approach to grouping similar colleges and universities, now organizing institutions by multiple characteristics, including their size, the types of degrees they award, and the fields of study in which students receive their degrees. The redesigned system includes a revision of the historic Basic Classification, now titled the Institutional Classification, and a newly developed Student Access and Earnings Classification. 

These updates are intended to reflect the multifaceted nature of higher education in the 21st century and measure the extent to which institutions provide students access and a path to earning competitive wages.

Russell Sage was classified as a Higher Access, Medium Earnings institution in Carnegie’s Student Access and Earnings Classification. Just 27 institutions in the Professions-focused Undergraduate/Graduate-Doctorate Small classification were also classified as Higher Access, Medium Earnings institutions.

Russell Sage’s Gator Gateway includes curricular and experiential learning elements, and its design recognizes that academic success hinges on student support. Its delivery recognizes that making that support as personal as possible is crucial.

Solutions, a one-stop shop for students’ questions, helps students navigate college systems without having to figure out where to go for assistance. The RSC Thread is a series of three signature classes in the general education curriculum that combine professional preparation and engaged learning infused with an emphasis on wellness and well-being. And the Thrive@Russell Sage initiative deepens that focus as students and employees learn to address their Eight Dimensions of Wellness.

Recent News

June 10, 2025

Russell Sage Partners with New York State Probation Officers Association to Offer Tuition Discount to Members and Advance Probation Workforce

The New York State Probation Officers Association (NYSPOA) has signed a partnership agreement with Russell Sage College to meet the needs of the community corrections workforce.  The Workforce Development Partnership provides NYSPOA members with a 10% tuition discount and deferred tuition payment for qualifying graduate programs offered at Russell Sage, including its fully online master’s […]
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May 22, 2025

Russell Sage Employees Honored for Service During Annual Employee Recognition Awards

We were excited to honor and celebrate our employees during the 2025 Employee Recognition Event, held May 22, 2025, in the Armory Building on the Albany campus. Congratulations to everyone who received special honors, and thank you to all employees who are key to contributing to our community of care. Honored Retirees: Karen Balter Eileen […]
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May 17, 2025

Russell Sage Celebrated More Than 800 Graduates as Alum and Actor Lucas Aurelio Delivered Commencement Address

Graduating from Russell Sage College was a family thing for Marlan Alberty, who was receiving his master’s degree in organization management, and his wife Denicole Alberty, who was graduating from the accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program, at Sage’s 108th commencement ceremony at the MVP Arena on May 17. “My plan is to be […]
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