The University of Wyoming has received notable recognition for its research activities in two separate national rankings. The university was listed as No. 146 by Research.com in its 2025 list of best U.S. universities and No. 172 by U.S. News among American institutions in its "Best Global Universities" rankings.
These new rankings highlight the university's growing influence in the academic research community, supported by a significant increase in external funding and a prestigious classification for its high level of research activity.
Key Takeaways
- The University of Wyoming ranked No. 146 nationally by Research.com and No. 172 by U.S. News for its research performance.
- The university holds an R1 designation, a status for "very high research activity" achieved by only 4.8% of U.S. institutions.
- External research funding at UW has grown significantly, reaching a record $183 million in fiscal year 2025.
- Officials state the university's research directly benefits Wyoming's communities and industries.
Details of the National Recognition
Two major publications have placed the University of Wyoming among the top research institutions in the country. The first, from Research.com, evaluated 2,000 universities and positioned UW at No. 146 in the United States. This analysis focused on the collective research output of scholars, including the volume of scientific publications and how often those papers are cited by other researchers.
The second ranking, from U.S. News, assessed 2,250 universities across more than 100 countries. In this global list, UW ranked No. 172 among U.S. universities. The U.S. News methodology considered factors such as published research, citation impact, international collaboration, and academic reputation.
Parag Chitnis, UW’s vice president for research and economic development, commented on the university's performance.
"Considering our relatively small size, UW more than holds its own as a nationally and internationally known research institution. Our ranking by Research.com, for example, puts us the highest among universities in the five-state region of Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, even though some of the other universities are bigger in terms of students or research expenditures."
The Significance of R1 Status
Earlier this year, the University of Wyoming's research standing was reinforced when it was designated as an R1 university by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. This classification is reserved for institutions with "very high research activity."
Achieving R1 status places UW in an exclusive group. It is one of only 187 institutions nationwide to hold this title.
An Elite Category
Just 4.8 percent of the nearly 4,000 accredited, degree-granting institutions in the United States have earned the R1 designation, highlighting the significance of this achievement for the University of Wyoming.
This classification is not just a label; it reflects a deep and sustained commitment to scholarly inquiry, innovation, and discovery across a wide range of academic disciplines. It helps attract top-tier faculty, talented graduate students, and significant research funding.
A Clear Trend of Growing Investment
The university's rising profile is backed by a substantial increase in external funding for its research and engagement projects. The financial data shows a strong upward trajectory over the past three fiscal years.
Tracking the Growth in Funding
The total value of external grants and contracts secured by the University of Wyoming has shown consistent and impressive growth:
- Fiscal Year 2023: $120 million
- Fiscal Year 2024: $150 million
- Fiscal Year 2025: $183 million (a new record)
This consistent growth in funding demonstrates increasing confidence from federal agencies, private foundations, and industry partners in the quality and impact of the research being conducted at UW. These funds support everything from state-of-the-art laboratory equipment to graduate student stipends and community outreach programs.
Connecting Research to Wyoming's Future
University officials emphasize that the growing research enterprise is not just about academic prestige. As Wyoming's land-grant university, UW has a specific mission to serve the state's residents and economy.
According to Chitnis, the research conducted on campus has tangible effects that extend far beyond the university's walls.
"The university’s research not only creates new knowledge for the state, nation and the world, but it also has practical benefits for Wyoming communities. As Wyoming’s land-grant university, UW serves Wyoming by providing accessible, high-quality education; conducting research that directly addresses state needs; and engaging with communities and industries to promote prosperity."
This mission translates into research projects focused on areas critical to Wyoming, such as energy, agriculture, wildlife management, and water resources. By tackling these local challenges, the university aims to drive innovation and support economic development throughout the state.
