Texas Leads Nation in Top-Tier Research Universities

Texas now boasts more top-tier research universities than any other state, according to a recent report by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The newly released list reveals that 16 universities in Texas have achieved the prestigious Tier 1 designation, surpassing California and New York, which have 14 and 12, respectively.

Growth in Research and Economic Impact

Tier 1, or R1, universities must meet rigorous criteria, including spending at least $50 million on research annually and awarding at least 70 research doctorates per year. These institutions play a significant role in attracting students, faculty, and resources, serving as economic powerhouses for their communities.

Since Governor Greg Abbott took office in 2015, the number of R1 universities in Texas has quadrupled from four to 16. Abbott’s administration has prioritized expanding research institutions as part of a broader strategy to enhance education and economic growth. “This achievement is a testament to the quality of our higher learning institutions and the state’s investment in education,” said Andrew Mahaleris, the governor’s press secretary.

Among the five universities newly added to the Tier 1 category are Baylor College of Medicine, Southern Methodist University (SMU), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and UT Southwestern Medical Center.

SMU’s Journey to Tier 1 Status

SMU, a private university in Dallas, has met the R1 criteria through strategic investments in research and graduate education. From 2021 to 2023, the university spent an average of $53 million on research and awarded 132 research doctorates annually. It has focused on supercomputing, data science, and externally funded research. Donations from the Moody and O’Donnell foundations have facilitated the establishment of a new graduate school and research computing institute, further enhancing SMU’s research capabilities.

The designation is expected to help SMU attract top talent and strengthen its role in North Texas, where over two-thirds of its graduates begin their careers.

Challenges Facing Higher Education

Despite these advancements, Texas universities face significant challenges. Federal policy changes under the Trump administration may result in a loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in biomedical research funding. Additionally, the Texas Legislature has taken steps that some argue threaten academic freedom, such as proposals to eliminate tenure and bans on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

While these legislative actions create uncertainty, Texas has also made substantial investments in research. The Texas University Fund, a $3.9 billion endowment, provides funding for public research institutions, with Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin historically benefiting from the state’s Permanent University Fund.

Texas State University’s Push for Tier 1

Texas State University remains in Tier 2 but is actively working toward an R1 designation. With more than 40,000 students, Texas State currently meets the research funding threshold but has lagged in the number of research doctorates awarded. The university is expanding its PhD programs from 12 to 25 and investing in scholarships to help doctoral students complete their degrees. In 2023, Texas State awarded 72 PhDs, a crucial step toward achieving Tier 1 status.

New Tier 2 Institutions

Four institutions—Abilene Christian University, Lamar University, Texas Woman’s University, and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston—have attained Tier 2 status for the first time, marking further progress in the state’s research landscape.

As Texas continues to invest in its research universities, the state solidifies its position as a national leader in higher education and innovation.