Yunnan University is home to many award-winning faculty members and outstanding scholars. The 2,899-strong faculty includes four national academicians, more than 50 experts enjoying special allowance from the State Council, and many recipients of national awards and beneficiaries of country-wide programs. Those include five participants in the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars and four recipients of the National Famous Teacher Award.

Five of its faculty were named as Leading Scientific Talents in Yunnan, ten as Yunling Scholars, and one as a Yunling Industrial Technological Leading Talent.

Ten papers by its professors have been published in world's famous academic publications, like Nature and Science. It has also sponsored academic publications in arts and sciences like Yunnan University Journal and Ideological Front, one of 11 publications listed by the MOE in its Famous Publications Program.