Medical, dental, public health schools all highly ranked
Contact: Steven Lee, (210) 450-3823, lees22@uthscsa.edu
Content by Claire Kowalick
SAN ANTONIO, March 6, 2025 – The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade, marked by growth across every facet of its mission.
This momentum is reflected in the latest rankings from the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, an independent nonprofit that compiles annual National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding reports. The newly released rankings place UT Health San Antonio and its Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine among the top 50 medical schools in the nation, underscoring the institution’s expanding influence in medical research and discovery.
This progress is part of a broader trajectory that positions San Antonio as an increasingly vital center for health science innovation. While the national biomedical landscape continues to evolve in dynamic and sometimes uncertain ways, our region’s ecosystem remains distinctive — marked by a deep integration of research, education and patient care.
This unique environment fosters collaboration among institutions like The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), Texas Biomedical Research Institute and Southwest Research Institute. Together, these partnerships are advancing life-changing discoveries while reinforcing San Antonio’s position as a premier hub of biomedical excellence.
UT Health San Antonio’s continued ascent in national rankings reflects not only the institution’s research excellence but also its ability to attract top-tier faculty from across the United States and around the world. The university’s scientists are at the forefront of tackling diseases that disproportionately impact South Texas populations and securing competitive grants from federal agencies and organizations like the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). This sustained investment in biomedical research bolsters the region’s economy and affirms the role of San Antonio as a critical contributor to scientific advancement.
This era of progress has led to the recruitment of distinguished faculty, including researchers recognized by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and members elected to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Inventors and Medicine. These experts, in concert with institutional partners, are pioneering the next wave of medical breakthroughs that will shape the future of health and science.
UT Health San Antonio’s steady rise in national rankings underscores the university’s commitment to pioneering research that drives personalized, compassionate health care. The latest Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research report highlights the transformative impact of UT Health San Antonio’s research enterprise, reinforcing its role as a vital force in both medical progress and regional growth.
A competitive and evolving research landscape
In fiscal year 2024, the NIH distributed just more than $37 billion in extramural grants and contracts, with schools of medicine receiving 51% of this funding. Against this highly competitive backdrop, UT Health San Antonio has emerged as a national leader.
The Long School of Medicine advanced three spots this year, breaking into the top 50 medical schools for NIH medical research funding. Ranking 49th out of 148 medical schools, with approximately $125.4 million in NIH funding, UT Health San Antonio is now the third-highest-ranked medical school in Texas.
“This recognition from the Blue Ridge Institute is a proud moment for our medical school and a significant step forward in advancing health care excellence for South Texas,” said Robert A. Hromas, MD, FACP, dean of the Long School of Medicine. “It reflects the unwavering dedication of our faculty, scientists and students to making lives better — both locally and globally.”
Nine Long School of Medicine departments ranked within the top 30 nationally for their disciplines, demonstrating excellence across basic and clinical sciences. The biggest advancement came from the school’s biochemistry department, which climbed 15 spots to rank 13th nationally.
UT Health San Antonio’s Long School of Medicine Blue Ridge rankings
Basic Science Departments:
- Biochemistry: 13th of 95 — $13,580,999
- Pharmacology: 14th of 84 — $13,363,214
- Anatomy/Cell Biology: 22nd of 71 — $9,325,579
- Genetics/Molecular Medicine: 23rd of 42 — $9,981,401
Clinical Science Departments:
- Urology: 21st of 35 — $1,366,368
- Neurology: 22nd of 76 — $14,514,089
- OB/GYN: 22nd of 62 — $4,707,340
- Public Health: 24th of 45 — $6,467,457
- Radiology: 30th of 73 — $7,228,519
The UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry also maintained its strong national standing, ranking 14th among 48 dental schools with $6.1 million in NIH medical research funding — the second-highest ranking among Texas dental schools.
“We are deeply honored by this recognition, which is a testament to the innovative research and commitment of our faculty and students,” said Peter M. Loomer, DDS, PhD, MBA, dean of the School of Dentistry at UT Health San Antonio. “Our continued success highlights our role in advancing oral health and patient care for San Antonio and the broader South Texas region.”
The newly established UT School of Public Health San Antonio, a partnership between UT Health San Antonio and UTSA, debuted impressively in the rankings, securing the 33rd spot out of 71 public health schools nationwide with $7.2 million in NIH funding — already the second-highest-ranked public health school in Texas.
“Earning a place among the top-ranked schools of public health in our first full academic year is an incredible honor,” said Vasan Ramachandran, MD, FACC, FAHA, dean of the UT School of Public Health San Antonio. “This early success highlights our potential to deliver impactful research that addresses the unique health challenges of the South Texas region.”
The San Antonio research ecosystem: A unique model of integration
UT Health San Antonio’s position in the top 2.4% of 2,838 public and private institutions receiving NIH funding is a powerful indicator of both local and national impact. In 2024, the university secured $139.3 million in NIH funding, ranking 69th overall in the U.S. and fifth highest among Texas universities.
The state of Texas remains a formidable player in biomedical research, ranking 7th nationally in NIH medical research funding, with approximately $1.9 billion awarded in 2024. San Antonio received nearly $184 million in total NIH funding, with UT Health San Antonio accounting for nearly 76% of the city’s total NIH medical research funding. These figures illustrate the university’s pivotal role in both advancing life-changing discoveries and strengthening the economic foundation of the region.
As San Antonio’s health science landscape continues to evolve, it offers a unique model of integration — where medical research, higher education and economic development intersect. While the national research environment remains fluid, with both opportunities and uncertainties, UT Health San Antonio’s steady growth highlights a distinctive strength: a collaborative, innovation-driven ecosystem that is making a tangible impact locally and beyond.
The upcoming merger between UT Health San Antonio and UTSA will only reinforce this trajectory, further cementing San Antonio’s role as a leading center for health, research and education. As the national landscape shifts, one thing remains clear — San Antonio’s biomedical community is poised for sustained growth, pioneering research and a lasting impact on human health.
About the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research
The Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research is an independent nonprofit organization that provides annual National Institutes of Health reports based on data compiled and released by the NIH. This year’s rankings were calculated for the 2023-2024 fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024. Learn more about this year’s Blue Ridge rankings here.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) is one of the country’s leading health science universities. With missions of teaching, research, patient care and community engagement, its schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions, graduate biomedical sciences and public health have graduated more than 43,771 alumni who are leading change, advancing their fields and renewing hope for patients and their families throughout South Texas and the world. To learn about the many ways “We make lives better®,” visit UTHealthSA.org.
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