UT System ranks 7th globally for most innovative universities

AUSTIN—Transformational research conducted at The University of Texas System has made it one of the world’s most innovative institutions.

“The rankings validate extraordinary discoveries from the UT System’s 14 institutions, which are leading to new cures, better treatment options, new technologies and increased scientific knowledge that make our society better,” UT System Chancellor William H. McRaven said. “At Texas, we think big and achieve great things.”

Ten key measurements were used for the Reuters Top 100. They focused on academic papers, which indicate basic research performed at a university, and patent filings, which point to an institution’s interest in protecting and commercializing its discoveries, according to Reuters.

The UT System has research expenditures of nearly $2.7 billion. Over the past five years, more than 15,000 researchers throughout the System have produced nearly 110,000 publications focused on science, medicine, engineering, energy, transportation and business. The System is home to three of the nation’s National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers, and it plans to open two new medical schools next year. It also plans to dramatically increase the number of engineering and computer science graduates.

Stanford University ranked No. 1 in the Reuters Top 100. The other top 10 schools include: No. 2 Massachusetts Institute of Technology; No. 3 Harvard University; No. 4 University of Washington; No. 5 University of Michigan System; No. 6 Northwestern University; No. 8 University of Wisconsin System; No. 9 University of Pennsylvania; and No. 10 Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology.

About The University of Texas System

Educating students, providing care for patients, conducting groundbreaking basic, applied and clinical research, and serving the needs of Texans and the nation for more than 130 years, The University of Texas System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States. With 14 institutions and an enrollment of more than 217,000, the UT System confers more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees, educates almost two-thirds of the state’s health care professionals annually and accounts for almost 70 percent of all research funds awarded to public institutions in Texas. The UT System has an annual operating budget of $16.9 billion (FY 2016) including $3 billion in sponsored programs funded by federal, state, local and private sources. With about 20,000 faculty – including Nobel laureates – and more than 70,000 health care professionals, researchers, student advisors and support staff, the UT System is one of the largest employers in the state.