UTEP Reasserts Prestigious R1 Research Status Under New Carnegie Classification Criteria
EL PASO, Texas (Feb. 26, 2025) – The University of Texas at El Paso has once again earned R1 status in the latest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, confirming the University’s position among top research universities nationwide. R1 is the highest research classification a university can attain and stands for “Research 1: Very High Spending and Doctorate Production.”
"This reaffirmation of our R1 status validates UTEP's commitment to conducting research that addresses critical challenges facing our society," said UTEP President Heather Wilson. "What makes our achievement particularly remarkable is that we've maintained our open-access mission while building research excellence, remaining the only R1 university in the United States with a 100% undergraduate admission rate."
The achievement comes under the new methodology established by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, which requires universities to spend an average of $50 million on research and development annually and award 70 or more research doctorates.
UTEP far exceeds these requirements with nearly $146 million in annual research expenditures across diverse fields, including aerospace, health, cybersecurity, water, border issues and many others.
UTEP stands among a group of 187 R1 universities out of nearly 4,000 accredited degree-granting institutions nationwide, placing it in the top 5% for research productivity. The University is also one of only 19 Hispanic-Serving Institutions to achieve this prestigious classification.
UTEP first reached the R1 milestone in December 2018 and has successfully maintained this status through continued growth in research capabilities and output.
UTEP’s major research areas include health, biomedical sciences and engineering; energy and environment; global enterprise and border studies; national defense and border security; and education.
"Our research portfolio spans multiple critical areas, creating unique opportunities for our students while delivering meaningful impact to our community and beyond," said Ahmad M. Itani, Ph.D., vice president for research at UTEP. "As one of Texas' 16 R1 institutions — more than any other state — we're proud to contribute to our state's leadership in research and innovation."
About The University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 25,000 students are Hispanic, and more than half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 171 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.
Last Updated on February 26, 2025 at 12:00 AM | Originally published February 26, 2025
By MC Staff UTEP Marketing and Communications
