The University of Alabama at Birmingham is the top young university in the nation, according to a new ranking.

The Times Higher Education 2019 Young University Rankings were released Wednesday afternoon, and listed UAB as the top young university in the United States. It’s the second year in a row for the school to receive that spot.

UAB also earned the number 12 spot in the worldwide young university ranking.

Ray Watts, President of UAB, released a statement after the rankings were announced. “The dedication and hard work of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and community supporters have once again enabled this prestigious recognition for our great institution,” he said.

“All of these groups continue to contribute to our growing momentum. Together, we continue to make tremendous strides in education, research and every pillar of our mission, in keeping with UAB’s shared values of collaboration, excellence and achievement. I celebrate and share this tremendous honor with our UAB community, and I express our sincere thanks to all of those who came before us and formed the strong foundation we work tirelessly every day to honor and build upon.”

Times Higher Education ranked more than 300 institutions from 60 different countries in this year’s list, according to a news release from UAB. Times Higher Education, which provides higher education data for worldwide institutions, used the same metrics to rank the young universities as they do in their World University Rankings, being measured “across teaching, research, citations, international outlooks and industry outcomes,” according to a news release. A university must be 50 years old or less to be eligible for the young rankings.

This is the last year UAB is eligible for the ranking, as the Magic City’s university is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

UAB spans more than 100 city blocks, according to the university, and provides an education to nearly 22,000 students. More than 23,000 faculty and staff members have helped UAB become the largest single employer in the state, with an annual economic impact more than $7.15 billion. UAB Hospital is also one of the 20 largest hospitals in the country and is Alabama’s only American College of Surgeons Verified Adult Level 1 Trauma Center. Annual research at the university exceeds $572 million.

Pam Benoit, UAB provost, said she expects the school’s growth to continue. “It’s quite remarkable the positive, global change our university has accomplished in 50 short years in education, research, innovation, economic development, community engagement and patient care. Our faculty are among the best in the United States, and our rigorous and diverse curriculum is appealing to students, especially in today’s higher-education environment.”

“To be recognized again by Times Higher Education is a tremendous honor for our institution,” said Suzanne Austin, UAB senior international officer. “Global recognitions — especially those as prestigious and respected as Times Higher Education — are another reason international students choose UAB as their educational home.”