MADISON – University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross says the recent news that UW-Milwaukee has earned the highest rating for a research institution from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is strong validation of UW-Milwaukee’s evolving and expanding research role.
Earlier this month, Carnegie gave UW-Milwaukee its “highest research activity” rating, a position earned by only 115 of the 4,665 universities evaluated this year. In Wisconsin, only UW-Milwaukee and UW-Madison are designated with an “R1” rating. UW-Milwaukee was previously ranked an R2 doctoral university.
“Officially giving UW-Milwaukee a top-tier ranking among research universities nationwide ratifies what the Wisconsin System has known for a long time. UW-Milwaukee is an institution on the move, and its research endeavors and successes are having a significant impact on the lives of its students, faculty and staff, as well as the broader state and national communities,” Cross said.
“Elevating UW-Milwaukee to an R1 institution also reflects the longstanding commitment that both UW-Milwaukee and the UW System have made to promote UW-Milwaukee’s unique mission as the state’s only public urban research university. I salute the leadership of Chancellor Mark Mone and his predecessors, as well as the dedication and hard work of so many faculty and staff members,” Cross said.
Cross added that academic research and development are major drivers of educational and economic progress for Wisconsin, and UW-Milwaukee has demonstrated its leadership in key areas such as water resources; cutting-edge battery technology; and, most recently, gravitational wave research and discoveries.
The UW-Milwaukee, with a budget of $667 million, educates more than 27,000 students per academic year. The university has an estimated annual economic impact of more than $1.5 billion on the Wisconsin economy.
The Carnegie Classifications, which were first published in 1973, are released every five years.