Drexel Research Enterprise Achieves National Recognition

For the first time, Drexel University has been designated at the highest level of research activity from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which has recognized institutional diversity in U.S. higher education for decades. The organization’s 2018 classification system assigned Drexel to its R1 Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity category, which is the highest level of research activity.

Drexel was one of 130 colleges and universities to reach this level of status. Previously, the University had been listed in the organization’s R2 category (for high research activity). Its inclusion in the R1 prestigious category marks an affirmation of the University’s rising stature in research and national recognition of its research enterprise.

“We are familiar with the many ways in which Drexel researchers are making their mark —buoyed by an impressive, 15 percent increase in sponsored research awards last year, to nearly $124 million,” said Drexel President John Fry. “But the Carnegie designation is a welcome affirmation by independent reviewers of the growth of Drexel research and its impact on society.”

The University was one of only 34 private institutions in the nation included on the Carnegie list, which is significant because it is not a public university and therefore lacks the public funding that supports sponsored research at those institutions.

With the newest listing, the University is included alongside peer institutions as Tulane University and Syracuse University, as well as Harvard University, Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania, among others.

“This clearly indicates Drexel’s rising research and is a recognition of the talent and commitment of our faculty,” said Fry.