USU attains Carnegie R1 Classification, becomes one of highest research universities in nation

LOGAN, Utah– Utah State University received the R1 Classification in the latest Carnegie Classification of institutions of Higher Education in December. This means USU will be joining the highest level of research universities in the nation.

“I am thrilled Utah State University has been designated a Carnegie R1 University,” said President Noelle E. Cockett. “To achieve this top-tier designation has been years in the making and now sets our university apart as a premier research institution in the nation. This is a historic achievement for our university, and I am proud of our faculty, staff and students who have worked to create transformational impacts through meaningful research.”

USU is one of only 137 institutions nationwide in the R1 classification and one of nine that obtained the status this year. USU is the second institution in the state to receive this designation and joins the University of Utah as a national leader in research and graduate education.

“Having two strong Carnegie R1 research institutions in Utah opens doors to new private and public partnerships and provides tremendous opportunities for workforce development and economic growth in the state,” said Utah System of Higher Education Commissioner Dave R. Woolstenhulme. “This is a proud moment for Utah, and we’re inspired to see the impact Utah State University is having in the nation.”

Released only every three years, these classifications are produced by the Center for Postsecondary Research at Indiana University’s School of Education and is used to designate institutions with academic excellence, research innovation and impact.

According to a release from the school, USU had record-high research funding in the 2021 fiscal year, receiving awards totaling $368.5 million, a 26 percent increase from last year. While USU’s total funding includes $124.5 million generated by researchers on campus, as well as $244 million in contracts and grants from USU’s Space Dynamics Laboratory.

“Noting that the 2021 Carnegie Classification was completed using 2019 data from the NSF HERD report (Higher Education Research & Development Survey Data), over the period of 2015-2019, research expenditures at USU increased from $169.6 million to $283.9 million,” Berreau said. “This substantial increase was driven by USU’s growth in research activities both on our main campus and through our statewide campus system, as well as at the Space Dynamics Laboratory, which is a university-affiliated research center (UARC).”

The Space Dynamics Laboratory at USU is one of only 14 Department of Defense University Affiliated Research Centers and has been benefitting the military, science community, and government with its extensive research.

The status will become official for USU in January 2022.