Fueled by a boost in contracts from federal agencies and various military branches, Wichita State University continues to hold strong in its standings in the National Science Foundation (NSF) Higher Education Research and Development Survey, reporting $392 million in research expenditures in the latest survey. This marks a 7% increase over the previous year’s $366 million, reinforcing WSU’s position as a leading research institution.

Specifically, Wichita State ranks No. 1 in aerospace engineering research and development (R&D) from all funding sources with a total of $350 million, No. 2 in engineering R&D funded by industry and defense with $283 million, and No. 9 in engineering R&D from all funding sources with $360 million.

“The dedication and expertise of our researchers make these rankings possible,” said Wichita State President Rick Muma. “Our consistent performance in research rankings continues to attract top talent and strategic partnerships to our university and state, continuing to position Wichita State as an economic driver for the state.”

The NSF’s latest HERD survey compiles 2024 R&D expenditures for all U.S. universities that report numbers to the NSF, ranking academic fields and subfields by various funding sources.

These rankings put Wichita State University in the company of institutions such as the Georgia Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University, SUNY Polytechnic Institute and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology – and above its institutional and aspirational peer institutions in most categories.

Wichita State has continued to rise in the rankings is a direct result of its globally renowned National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). Programs such as the Missile Defense Agency Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD), U.S. Air Force B-1 BackBONE and Survivable Airborne Operations Center will continue to elevate Wichita State’s position in the NSF’s rankings.

“These rankings demonstrate Wichita State’s unique ability to connect government, industry and academia to solve real-world challenges,” said Dr. John Tomblin, WSU executive vice president for Industry and Defense Programs and NIAR executive director. “Our growth reflects the strength of our partnerships and the talent of our faculty, staff and students who are driving innovation that impacts Kansas and the nation.”

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Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 25,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU 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), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D and No. 8 overall for engineering R&D.

The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one of the nation’s 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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