UAB Named Best 'Young University': Study

BIRMINGHAM, AL - The University of Alabama at Birmingham may be relatively new compared to other universities in the country, having opened its doors in 1969. However, in what would considered a relatively short time, the school has garnered positive national attention, including recently being named the nation's best "young" university.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings rated universities less than 50 years old throughout the world, and UAB topped the United States list, and was ranked 10th worldwide.

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Times Higher Education ranked 250 institutions from 55 different countries in this year's Young University Rankings, which explores the same rigorous 13 performance indicators as the overall Times Higher Education's World University Rankings -- with young universities measured across their teaching, research, citations, international outlooks and industry incomes. However, the methodology has been recalibrated to have less emphasis on reputation since younger universities are still building their reputations.

With nearly 21,000 students and more than 23,000 faculty and staff, UAB is the largest single employer in Alabama, with an annual statewide economic impact exceeding $7.15 billion. It boasts many nationally ranked programs, including 13 graduate programs ranked in the top 25, according to U.S. News & World Report

UAB has annual research expenditures exceeding $562 million. It is a leader in federal research funding -- ranking 23rd (top 4 percent) nationally and 8th (top 2 percent) among public institutions in funding from the National Institutes of Health.

Photo by Michael Seale/Patch

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