¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Real Estate Program Ranks Among World’s Top Ten for Research
EL PASO, Texas (May 5, 2026) – The University of Texas at El Paso’s Woody L. Hunt College of Business is once again earning global recognition for its impact in real estate research with a top 10 ranking in the
The REAL Rankings, which measure institutional productivity based on publications in the discipline’s leading journals, place ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ among the top real estate research institutions globally with 22 publications. The rankings also recognize faculty member Zifeng Feng, Ph.D., among the top two researchers worldwide, highlighting the University’s role in a field that is increasingly collaborative, global and data-driven.
“To me, this recognition is not about a single project or short-term success, but about steadily helping expand knowledge in the field over time,” Feng said. “This momentum is driven by several factors: continued support from ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ and the Hunt College of Business, a collaborative research culture within the college, and the strong commitment of our faculty.”
Preparing students for successful careers in the real estate industry goes beyond the classroom at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ. At events like the Real Estate Career Fair, ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ students engage directly with employers, demonstrating not only technical knowledge but the ability to analyze trends and communicate insights with confidence.
Hunt Business students learn more than industry fundamentals; they engage with the same ideas, data and market dynamics that influence real-world decision-making, Feng said.
“Academic research is fully embedded in everything we do at Hunt College,” said John Hadjimarcou, Ph.D., Rick and Ginger Francis Dean of the Woody L. Hunt College of Business. “Our students’ discussions on housing, investment and economic trends are informed by current research, giving them a deeper, more applied understanding of the field.
For Edgar Salas, president of the Real Estate Club, the program’s research reputation sets it apart within its field.
“Being globally recognized for real estate research reflects the quality of our professors and advisors,” Salas said. “As students, we benefit directly from their expertise and mentorship, which enhances our learning experience. It’s also exciting to see more students getting involved in research, which strengthens both the program and our academic growth.”
The REAL Rankings also reflect broader shifts in the field, including increased collaboration among researchers and stronger global engagement, Feng said. One example is his current working paper on the Brexit referendum, which brings together researchers at ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ, the University of Macau and the University of Galway in Ireland. Another recent project includes collaboration with scholars at the National University of Singapore and Florida International University.
For students, that translates into access to faculty who are actively contributing to the field, industry connections built through research and engagement and experiences that bridge academic learning with professional practice.
Last Updated on May 05, 2026 at 12:00 AM | Originally published May 05, 2026
By MC Staff ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ Marketing and Communications
