A Tier One Research University

UTSA and the Carnegie R1 Classification

UTSA is designated as a Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education R1 Research university, which places us among the top 4% of research universities in the nation.

What it means to be Top Tier

 

Every five years, Carnegie announces the names of a limited number of universities nationwide that have demonstrated substantial progress in their research efforts. The criteria for reaching the R1 classification include measures such as research spending, staff levels and the number of doctorates awarded by an institution.

R1 universities have a greater ability to attract world-class faculty members and talented undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

The Carnegie R1 designation is synonymous with academic and research excellence Ambika Mathur, Vice Provost of Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate School

Solving grand challenges

UTSA's researchers are tackling the challenges that impact our daily lives, from Alzheimer’s to cyber privacy. R1 universities attract new businessesresearch dollarsworld-class faculty members and the talented students who want to learn from them, resulting in more discoveries to help you and the ones you love.

About UTSA's groundbreaking research

Solving grand challenges

UTSA's researchers are tackling the challenges that impact our daily lives, from Alzheimer’s to cyber privacy. R1 universities attract new businesses research dollars, world-class faculty members and the talented students who want to learn from them, resulting in more discoveries to help you and the ones you love.

About our groundbreaking research at UTSA

Top Tier sets UTSA apart

Holding R1 status is part of UTSA's rapid trajectory as a premier public research university and a driver of economic opportunity and social mobility for Texas. UTSA is in the company of Texas's top research institutions as well as those across the nation. The designation elevates UTSA’s distinctiveness, making us:

ONE OF 21

universities designated as both Hispanic Serving Institutions & Top Tier for research

ONE OF 6

Tier One universities to hold three National Centers of Academic Excellence

ONE OF 10

Tier One universities to have the Seal of Excelencia for Latino student success

Carnegie R1 is a historic waypoint on our trajectory to transform UTSA into one of the nation’s great public research universities.

Taylor Eighmy, UTSA President
More on what R1 means for UTSA
President Eighmy

Looking to the Future

Our R1 designation is a significant milestone in UTSA’s vision to be a model for student success and great public research university. To build on this recognition, UTSA is continuing to grow its annual research expenditures, expand its pipeline of doctoral students, garner national recognition for its researchers and adding National Academy members to its faculty.

What Tier One means for you

San Antonio Community

  • Increases local talent. Attracts the world's brightest minds to study, work and live in San Antonio, including local students who can pursue a degree from one of the top research universities in the nation without leaving home.
  • Boosts economic development. Brings new talent and business to Texas, diversifying our economy and helping to drive the state’s economic development.

Partners (Research & Higher Ed)

  • Opens new collaborative opportunities. Our new designation can help facilitate research collaborations, joint funding applications and research exchanges.
  • Increases partnership investment value. The R1 designation serves as an additional endorsement of the high caliber of research produced at the university.

UTSA Students, Alumni & Faculty

  • Improves your degree value. Your UTSA degree is seen as more valuable to prospective employers and graduate schools.
  • Sets you apart professionally. Your affiliation with an R1 university enhances your professional reputation and puts you in touch with the most recent trends in your field.
  • Elevates your scholarly stature. For faculty and graduate students, R1 affiliation recognizes your role in advancing knowledge, contributing to your discipline and creating impactful solutions.