The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) earned a Research 1 (R1) designation from the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in their 2025 Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education. Of the 3,941 United States institutions evaluated, only 187 (4.7%) earned an R1 designation.
“This prestigious classification places UT Health San Antonio among the elite research universities in the nation, affirming its leadership in groundbreaking biomedical discovery and medical education. As an R1 institution — the highest tier in the Carnegie Classifications — UT Health San Antonio stands at the pinnacle of research excellence, tackling the most pressing health challenges, fueling economic growth and shaping a future-ready workforce. This distinction will further strengthen our ability to attract world-class faculty and students, secure critical research funding and make a profound impact on South Texas and beyond,” said Francisco G. Cigarroa, MD, senior executive vice president for Health Affairs and Health System.
UT Health San Antonio’s R1 designation is based on its exceptional research expenditures and number of individuals who are awarded a research-focused doctoral degree, typically a PhD. In fiscal year 2023, the university had more than $281 million in research expenditure and graduated 136 research-focused doctoral degrees.
“Achieving a top designation for research expenditures and doctorate awards is a testament to the excellence of our research enterprise and the unwavering commitment of our faculty, students and staff,” said Jennifer Sharpe Potter, PhD, MPH, UT Health San Antonio senior vice president for research, founding director of Be Well Institute on Substance Use and Related Disorders and professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. “This recognition enhances our ability to attract top-tier talent, drive groundbreaking discoveries and advance health innovation on a global scale.”
The merger of The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) and The University of Texas at San Antonio unites two R1-designated institutions, recognized for their very high research activity in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications. This classification underscores the universities’ combined strength in research expenditures and doctoral education, placing the newly merged institution among the most elite research universities in the nation. With both institutions exceeding the R1 thresholds—spending at least $50 million annually on research and awarding at least 70 research doctorates—the new university will not only reinforce San Antonio’s position as a hub for innovation but also elevate the region’s economic and scientific influence on a national scale. This merger signals a transformation in higher education and research excellence, benefiting Texas and beyond.
About the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching designation
Designation was determined by data from 2021-2023 research expenditures as reported on National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Surveys and number of research doctorates as reported by institutions on Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Completion Surveys.
Link to 2025 classifications: https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/news/carnegie-classifications-release-2025-research-activity-designations-debut-updated-methodology/
Full list of classified institutions: https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/institutions/?inst=&research2025%5B%5D=1&research2025%5B%5D=2&research2025%5B%5D=3
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) is one of the country’s leading health science universities and is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. With missions of teaching, research, patient care and community engagement, its schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions, graduate biomedical sciences and public health have graduated more than 43,771 alumni who are leading change, advancing their fields and renewing hope for patients and their families throughout South Texas and the world. To learn about the many ways “We make lives better®,” visit UTHealthSA.org.
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