
UMaine reaches all-time high in latest NSF rankings
The University of Maine achieved another milestone in its prominence as a research institution, rising to an all-time high in the 2023 National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) rankings.
UMaine climbed from 142 to 140 out of 914 universities nationwide in the 2023 HERD survey. The university also rose from 114 to 112 among universities without medical schools. This ranking places UMaine among the top 15% of colleges and universities nationwide, an especially impressive achievement given UMaine’s smaller size.
The NSF HERD survey is a measure of research and development based on expenditures reported by universities and colleges across the nation. This survey is a key measure of research activity and advancement, highlighting the contributions of institutions to innovation, discovery, and societal advancement.
UMaine has risen steadily through HERD’s rankings since 2018, when it ranked 128 among universities without medical schools and 154 overall. UMaine’s burgeoning research enterprise also earned a nod from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education in 2022 when it achieved R1 status, a distinction only 3.7% of universities in the United States qualify for.
UMaine’s rise in the HERD rankings signifies the continued focus of the university on delivering meaningful contributions to the community, nation, and world.
Read the full story on UMaine News.
Written by Emma Beauregard, Communications Intern