UW-Madison ranks third in the nation as one of the top research universities, according to new statistics from the National Science Foundation. UW-Madison ranked behind Johns Hopkins University and the University of California at San Francisco.
Statistics on the top research universities were previous compiled in 2007. From 1999-2006 UW-Madison ranked second in overall research behind Johns Hopkins University.
The university rankings are based on the amount of funding and expenditures, specifically federal, that universities receive and spend.
According to a statement, total expenditures totaled $882 million during the past fiscal year, a $41 million jump from the 2007 fiscal year. As of 2006, UW-Madison was ranked fourth overall, with expenditures totaling $764 million.
Of the $882 million, $474 million came from federal sources. This statistic places UW-Madison second on the list of federally funded research expenditures at public universities.
Graduate school dean Martin Cadwallader said research dollars have become much more difficult to come by.
""The funding environment is as competitive as ever and that we are able to grow our research portfolio year after year demonstrates that our researchers are among the best anywhere,"" he said in a statement.
Terry Devitt, UW-Madison director of research communications, said although this is a prestigious honor, the impressive title the university now holds will not necessarily bring more researching staff or funding.
However, Devitt said acknowledgement as one of the leading research institutions nationwide will bring many benefits later on.
""It is a measure of the quality of our faculty and staff,"" Devitt said. ""That we are so successful is a reflection of their hard work and creativity.""
UW-Madison is the only university, other than Johns Hopkins University, that has been ranked in the top five research institutions, public or private, for the last 20 years.
