UTA Retains Top-Tier U.S. Research Status
Published on March 14, 2025
By UTA Communications
The University of Texas at Arlington has once again earned the prestigious R1 designation from the Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education, signifying the highest level of research activity.
UTA is among just 187 institutions—4.7% nationwide—earning the R1 designation in 2025. First earning R1 status in 2015, UTA has maintained this classification through reaffirmations in 2018, 2021 and 2024, as part of Carnegie’s three-year review cycle. With research expenditures reaching $155 million in FY 2024—a 5% increase over FY23—UTA continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and academic excellence.
R1 classification signals that an institution has achieved the highest level of research activity, according to the Carnegie Classification, and is considered a top-tier research university with a significant commitment to producing groundbreaking research, attracting top faculty and securing substantial research funding—essentially placing it among the most prestigious research institutions in the country.
“What sets UT Arlington apart from other institutions is our ability to pursue and produce scientific research that is on the leading edge of forefront and discovery,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley said. “We are advancing critical research—from semiconductor technology and battery storage to energy grids and personalized medicine—across our nine colleges and schools right here in Arlington.”
UTA partners with the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, NASA and the U.S. departments of Defense, Transportation, Commerce and Energy to address state and national challenges. The University also collaborates with state agencies, including the Texas Department of Transportation and the Tarrant Regional Water District to strengthen Texas’ infrastructure.
Cutting-edge research at UTA plays a vital role in the local, state and national economies. From 2018 to 2023, UTA research contributed more than $300 million to the national economy, with nearly $41 million added to the Texas economy in 2024 alone, reflecting UTA’s commitment to foster innovation, research and entrepreneurship that drives societal progress, economic mobility and prosperity.
“The dynamic research coming from UT Arlington is strategically focused on solutions that transform lives,” said Kate C. Miller, vice president for research and innovation. “It’s gratifying to see leading research organizations like Carnegie recognizing the exceptional talent of UTA’s faculty, staff and students—both in driving discoveries with immediate benefits to society and advancing long-term initiatives that pave the way for future discoveries.”
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