For the first time, has entered the top 10 in the country in engineering research and development (R&D) expenditures, according to data announced this week by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Higher Education Research and Development Survey.
is also ranked No. 1 for aerospace engineering R&D expenditures for the first time in its history.
For fiscal year 2023, ’s total of $327 million from all funding sources for aerospace ranks ahead of Georgia Institute of Technology ($294 million), Utah State University ($271 million), Johns Hopkins University ($196 million) and the University of Colorado ($90 million).
A year ago, ranked third with $219.7 million.
These rankings put among other prestigious engineering universities such as the Georgia Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins, Notre Dame, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Texas at Austin, Purdue and Stanford.
Ranked among the best: What it means
- Access to top faculty: Renowned programs such as ’s engineering program attract leading faculty and researchers, meaning students learn from the very best.
- Cutting-edge facilities and resources: Our state-of-the-art labs and technology prepare students for the real world.
- Industry connections: High-ranking programs like have strong ties to industry leaders, growing ’s already robust applied learning program and leading to more job opportunities for students.
- Prestige and recognition: These rankings directly reflect ’s reputation for excellence, enhancing the value of a degree.
NSF’s latest data ranks U.S. universities in various categories, including R&D spending broken down by subfield and funding source.
For fiscal year 2023, moved up five places to No. 8 on the list of top universities in total engineering and research and development expenditures of $336 million. For fiscal year 2022, reported engineering R&D total expenditures of $226 million, up from $157 million in 2021 and $134 million in 2020.
ranks No. 2 on the list in industry-funded engineering R&D expenditures with $164 million and No. 6 in total industry-funded R&D expenditures ($171 million).
In recent years, the National Institute for Aviation Research at has increased its relationship with various divisions of the Department of Defense, which has led to $112 million in federally funded R&D expenditures, No. 14 on the list.
"This achievement is a historic milestone for and a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and industry collaboration," said President Rick Muma. "This accomplishment reflects the outstanding work of our research teams, who push the boundaries of technology and address the real-world challenges faced by our partners in the aerospace sector and beyond. Together, we are advancing our mission to drive economic growth through groundbreaking research and applied learning."
With increasing contracts and awards from industry and federal agencies, expects to continue climbing the ranks in the NSF’s survey. The 2024 numbers will be compiled by NSF and published in late 2025.