Fact Sheet
S&E Indicators 2004: State Rankings for R&D
May 4, 2004
This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.
In 2000, California, Michigan and New York held their positions as the top three states in U.S. research and development (R&D) spending, according to Science and Engineering (S&E) Indicators 2004. Together the three states accounted for a third of the $264.6 billion in R&D spending by U.S. industry, government, universities and nonprofit organizations.
Altogether, the top 20 states accounted for 87 percent of U.S. R&D expenditures in 2000. S&E Indicators 2004 ranks the states based on year 2000 dollar figures, the most recent year for which full information is available.
Eight states moved up the list in 2000. New Jersey climbed three spots, from seventh in 1999 to fourth, and Indiana moved up three to rejoin the list at 18th. Minnesota and Illinois each climbed two spots, while Washington, Virginia, Connecticut and Florida moved up one.
Six states moved down or out of the Top 20. Arizona fell the farthest, from 14th to 19th. Texas and Pennsylvania slipped three places; North Carolina, New Mexico and Georgia each dropped one spot; and Georgia slipped off the list, from 20th to 21st.
The list changes dramatically, however, if “R&D intensity”—a state’s R&D spending compared to its gross state product—is considered. The top three states are then Michigan, New Mexico and Washington.
For more state data, S&E Indicators 2004 also includes, for the first time, a state-by-state breakdown of a wide variety of statistics. The NSF Division of Science Resource Statistics also publishes an annual series, Science and Engineering State Profiles.
Science and Engineering Indicators traditionally has been the nation's most authoritative source for nationwide and statewide expenditures for R&D. The report contains detailed state data on university, industry and federal sources of R&D spending.
The Nation's Top 20 States for R&D Investments in 2000
2004 Indicators (2000 figures) | 2002 Indicators (1999 figures) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Total U.S. | $264.6 billion | Total U.S. | $244.1 billion |
1. California | $55.1 billion | 1. California | $48.0 billion |
2. Michigan | $18.9 billion | 2. Michigan | $18.8 billion |
3. New York | $13.6 billion | 3. New York | $14.1 billion |
4. New Jersey | $13.1 billion | 4. Texas | $12.4 billion |
5. Massachusetts | $13.0 billion | 5. Massachusetts | $12.2 billion |
6. Illinois | $12.8 billion | 6. Pennsylvania | $10.7 billion |
7. Texas | $11.6 billion | 7. New Jersey | $10.5 billion |
8. Washington | $10.5 billion | 8. Illinois | $ 9.7 billion |
9. Pennsylvania | $ 9.8 billion | 9. Washington | $ 8.3 billion |
10. Maryland | $ 8.6 billion | 10. Maryland | $ 8.0 billion |
11. Ohio | $ 7.7 billion | 11. Ohio | $ 8.0 billion |
12. Virginia | $ 5.1 billion | 12. North Carolina | $ 5.3 billion |
13. North Carolina | $ 5.0 billion | 13. Virginia | $ 5.1 billion |
14. Connecticut | $ 4.9 billion | 14. Arizona | $ 5.0 billion |
15. Florida | $ 4.7 billion | 15. Connecticut | $ 4.4 billion |
16. Minnesota | $ 4.3 billion | 16. Florida | $ 4.3 billion |
17. Colorado | $ 4.2 billion | 17. Colorado | $ 4.2 billion |
18. Indiana | $ 3.3 billion | 18. Minnesota | $ 3.9 billion |
19. Arizona | $ 3.11 billion | 19. New Mexico | $ 3.3 billion |
20. New Mexico | $ 3.09 billion | 20. Georgia | $ 3.0 billion |
Source: National Science Foundation, Science and Engineering Indicators 2004, Chapter 4 (Table 4-8) and Appendix Table 4-23.
-NSF-
See also:
Media Contacts
David Hart, NSF, (703) 292-7737, email: dhart@nsf.gov
The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.
Connect with us online
NSF website: nsf.gov
NSF News: nsf.gov/news
For News Media: nsf.gov/news/newsroom
Statistics: nsf.gov/statistics/
Awards database: nsf.gov/awardsearch/
Follow us on social
Twitter: twitter.com/NSF
Facebook: facebook.com/US.NSF
Instagram: instagram.com/nsfgov