The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released updated rankings for university
research and development (R&D) expenditures, and Wichita State has held its position
as the top university in the country for industry-funded aeronautical R&D with a total
of $39 million in fiscal year 2018.
The rankings are derived from the NSF’s Higher Education Research and Development
survey, compiled by its National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, which
includes information from all reporting universities.
For total aerospace R&D expenditures, WSU again ranked No. 4 in the nation with $57
million, a $5 million increase from 2017. This includes both industry and federally
funded programs.
Wichita State also ranked No. 5 in the U.S. for industry-funded engineering R&D in
all categories including biomedical, electrical, industrial and mechanical.
For total engineering R&D in all categories from all funding sources, Wichita State
reported more than $63 million, securing a spot as a top 60 engineering R&D institution
in the nation.
“We look forward to seeing these rankings each year to make sure we’re growing at
a steady pace in comparison with similar universities,” said John Tomblin, WSU vice
president for research and economic development. “We expect our numbers and position
in several of the lists to increase significantly in the coming years, allowing the
university to develop more relationships with industry and federal agencies and providing
unparalleled work-based experience for WSU students.”
R&D is an important part of driving innovation within a university. University research
efforts can lead to increased industry collaboration, technology transfer and/or commercialization,
all of which increase university funding and drive the economy. WSU’s strategic vision
is to be internationally recognized as the model for applied learning and research.
The mission of Wichita State University is to be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the
greater public good. Wichita State is a doctoral research university enrolling nearly
15,000 students and offering 59 undergraduate degree programs in more than 150 areas
of study in seven undergraduate colleges. The Graduate School offers 45 master's and
12 doctoral degrees that offer study in more than 100 areas. Wichita State's Innovation
Campus is an interconnected community of partnership buildings, laboratories and mixed-use
areas where students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs and businesses have access to
the university's vast resources and technology. For more information, follow us on
Twitter at www.twitter.com/wichitastate and Facebook at www.facebook.com/wichita.state.
