WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) -- Wichita State University is ranked in the top 10 for Engineering research and development expenditures in the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development Survey for the first time in its history. The university is ranked No. 8, just behind Purdue. The rankings are for the fiscal year 2023. WSU is also ranked No. 1 for aerospace engineering R&D expenditures for the first time in its history, with a total of $327 million of all funding sources for aerospace research and development. That puts Wichita State first, ahead of Georgia Institute of Technology with $294 million, Utah State University with $271 million, Johns Hopkins University with $196 million, and the University of Colorado with $90 million. In recent years, Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research has seen increased investment from both private industry and the federal government, and university officials expect that to continue. SPEEA members accept contract with Spirit AeroSystems "This achievement is a historic milestone for Wichita State and a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation and industry collaboration," said Wichita State President Rick Muma in a news release. "This accomplishment reflects the outstanding work of our research teams, who push the boundaries of technology and address the real-world challenges faced by our partners in the aerospace sector and beyond. Together, we are advancing our mission to drive economic growth through groundbreaking research and applied learning." To learn more about Wichita State University's engineering programs, click here.