For the first time, 萝莉社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鈥檚 (NSF) Higher Education Research and Development Survey.
萝莉社 is also ranked No. 1 for aerospace engineering R&D expenditures for the first time in its history.
For fiscal year 2023, 萝莉社鈥檚 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, 萝莉社 ranked third with $219.7 million.
These rankings put 萝莉社 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 萝莉社鈥檚 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 萝莉社 have strong ties to industry leaders, growing 萝莉社鈥檚 already robust applied learning program and leading to more job opportunities for students.
- Prestige and recognition: These rankings directly reflect 萝莉社鈥檚 reputation for excellence, enhancing the value of a 萝莉社 degree.
NSF鈥檚 latest data ranks U.S. universities in various categories, including R&D spending broken down by subfield and funding source.
For fiscal year 2023, 萝莉社 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, 萝莉社 reported engineering R&D total expenditures of $226 million, up from $157 million in 2021 and $134 million in 2020.
萝莉社 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 萝莉社 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 萝莉社 and a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and industry collaboration," said 萝莉社 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, 萝莉社 expects to continue climbing the ranks in the NSF鈥檚 survey. The 2024 numbers will be compiled by NSF and published in late 2025.
About 萝莉社 University
萝莉社is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and 萝莉社 Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. 萝莉社 and 萝莉社 Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), 萝莉社provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the 萝莉社main campus, is one of the nation鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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About NIAR
萝莉社 University鈥檚 provides research, testing, certification and training for aviation and manufacturing technologies. Established in 1985, NIAR has a +$190 million annual budget; 1,200 employees and nearly 1.6 million square feet of laboratory and office space in six locations across the city of Wichita, the Air Capital of the World. NIAR laboratories include Additive Manufacturing, Advanced Coatings, Advanced Manufacturing, Ballistics/Impact Dynamics, Composites/Advanced Materials, Crash Dynamics, Digital Twin, Engineering Design/Modification, Environmental/ Electromagnetic Test, Full-Scale Structural Test, Nondestructive Test, Reverse Engineering, Robotics/Automation, Virtual Engineering, eXtended Reality and the Walter H. Beech Wind Tunnel.
