Our Points of Hilltop Pride
We take pride in our community — who we are and what we can accomplish together. While many of our strengths can’t be quantified, some of them can. Take a closer look at St. Ed’s, by the numbers.
Academic Excellence and Distinction
St. Edward’s University leads with a student-first approach in a thriving academic environment that opens new paths for learning, discovery and creativity. We’re committed to producing well-rounded scholars who move beyond the Red Doors on to successful careers or further studies, and who excel without bounds.
A Top-ranked University
St. Edward’s is ranked 5th in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Regional Universities in the West category. St. Edward’s also ranked in the top 10 regional rankings for Best Value Schools, and a top-performing university for Social Mobility. For 20+ consecutive years, U.S. News has recognized St. Edward’s in their Best Colleges list.
Hands-On Learning
Our goal is for 100% of our students to participate in experiential learning, whether through research, internships, service, study abroad and more. Students gain real-world experience from the time they step through the Red Doors until they walk back out to take on today’s tough challenges.
Vibrant, Inclusive and Justice-Seeking Community
Our unstoppable spirit radiates throughout our culture, and all members reap the benefit from different perspectives, inclusive connections and celebration of our vibrancy.
Celebrating Student Success from All Walks of Life
50 Years of CAMP
Since 1972, the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) at St. Edward’s has been recognized as the longest-continuous program in the nation. This year, the program received $50,000 in grant funding to support future CAMP students.
HSI for 30+ Years
St. Edward’s has been a proud Hispanic Serving Institution for 30+ years. We're proud to be named a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Leader for 2024 — joining only 51 institutions to receive this designation.
Recognition for Success in Serving Latino Students
St. Edward’s is one of just 39 institutions, approximately 1% of U.S. colleges and universities, to earn the Seal of Excelencia from Excelencia in Education, a nonprofit organization with a mission to accelerate Latino student success in higher education.
A Top Performing University for Social Mobility
We’re ranked #7 for Social Mobility in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Regional Universities in the West category.
Austin Impact and Innovation
St. Edward’s has a spirit of discovery that mirrors that of Austin. Our students and community members engage with Austin in ways that prepare them to make a lasting impact in the city and the world beyond.
Prestigious Research Grants and Funding
Currently, St. Edward’s has $14.5M+ in active research grants and we’ve received distinctive awards, with another National Endowment for the Humanities award this year. St. Edward’s currently has federal funding from the NSF, USDA, NIH, NASA, EPA, NASA and the U.S. Department of Education.
The USDA NextGen $5M grant is already positively impacting hundreds of students at St. Edward’s with paid internships, state-of-the-art lab equipment and expert seminars.
Opportunities Abound in Austin
The dynamic and innovative city of Austin provides endless opportunities to learn by doing, find yourself and kickstart your career.
Achieving at the Highest Level
Hilltoppers consistently live excellence out loud. From prestigious honors to national rankings, we are achievers who carry our experiences out into all the communities we serve.
World-Class Graduate Programs
The Bill Munday School of Business AACSB-accredited online graduate programs ranked #12 nationally and #1 in Texas for student engagement in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024–2025 rankings
Awards and Accolades
In doing what’s best for our students and our community, we’ve received a number of significant awards and recognitions over the years. It’s not just us, either — our hometown, Austin, wins its fair share of accolades, too.
#2 Best Undergraduate Teaching
For the first time in the university’s history, St. Edward’s earned 2nd place for Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs in the West in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 rankings. This achievement is a reflection of the exceptional methods of teachings conducted by esteemed faculty on the hilltop.
#3 Best Value School
St. Edward’s ascended in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 rankings from #5 to #3 in the Best Value Schools in the West category based on the institution’s academic quality and cost.
#7 Top-Performing Institution for Social Mobility
St. Edward’s continues to hold its Top 10 ranking for Social Mobility. U.S. News & World Report awarded the university 7th place in the Top Performers on Social Mobility in the West category for 2025. This achievement recognizes the successful efforts in graduating economically disadvantaged students who receive federal Pell Grants.
#4 Best University for Veterans in the West
U.S. News chose St. Edward’s as one of the “Best Universities for Veterans” in its 2024–2025 rankings. St. Edward’s is listed in 4th place among more than 30 colleges in the West. In addition to demonstrating academic excellence, schools must be certified for the GI Bill and participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Ranked a Top Producer of Fulbright Students
St. Edward’s was named a Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. Students among master’s-granting institutions in 2023-2024, 2018–2019 and 2015–2016. To date, St. Edward’s has been named a Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. Students by the U.S. Department of State 13 times, with 85 winners since 2004.
Ranked a Top Producer of Gilman Scholars
In 2021, St. Edward’s was recognized for producing the most Gilman International Scholarship recipients in the program’s 20-year Top Producer category for small institutions, with 75 Gilman Scholars since 2001. The Gilman program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and makes study abroad more accessible and inclusive for high-achieving students with financial constraints.
Ranked a Top Green College for Sustainability
The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges 2025 recognizes 511 schools worldwide that demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation. We’re proud to have a Green Rating score of 93 for campus quality of life that is both healthy and sustainable.
Highly Rated by WSJ/THE College Student Survey
The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education 2022 College Rankings placed St. Edward’s in the top 60% of 800 U.S. schools on its list. The rankings draw from a survey by London-based Times Higher Education, in which 170,000 students rate colleges on engagement, resources, outcomes and environment.
Listed Among “America’s Top Colleges”
For the 14th year, Forbes has recognized St. Edward’s as one of “America’s Top Colleges.” Their 2024-2025 best-colleges list includes 500 schools acknowledged for top academics, enriching student experiences, post-graduation success and lowest student debt.
Named in “Best Colleges: Region by Region”
The Princeton Review chose St. Edward’s for its 2025 list of “Best Colleges” in the Western Region. The annual list gives special recognition to schools across the U.S. that The Princeton Review considers academically outstanding.
Nationally Recognized for Student Engagement (NSSE)
St. Edward’s scored highly in the 2024 National Survey of Student Engagement used by 1,700 colleges and universities nationwide since 2000. St. Edward’s met or exceeded the national average in all benchmark areas: academic challenge, learning with peers, experiences with faculty and campus environment.
Recognized Among Best Colleges in America
NICHE chose St. Edward’s for its 2025 “Best Colleges” list based on rigorous analysis of academic, admissions, financial and student life data, and millions of reviews from students and alumni. St. Edward’s also made their 2025 lists of “Best Catholic Colleges” and “Best College Campuses.”
Listed Among Money’s Best Colleges
Money Magazine selected St. Edward’s for its 2024 “Best Colleges for Your Money” list. Money evaluated data on quality, affordability and student outcomes, including tuition fees, family borrowing, graduation rate and career earnings.