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 6th in the U.S. News & World Report 2024 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 a Fulbright Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Leader (2023), joining only 8% of institutions to receive this designation out of nearly 600 HSIs overall.
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 2024 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.
#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 2022–2023 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.
Nation’s #1 Producer of Fulbright Students
St. Edward’s was named the nation’s #1 producer of Fulbright U.S. Students among master’s-granting institutions in 2018–2019 and 2015–2016. To date, St. Edward’s has been named a top producer of Fulbright Students by the U.S. Department of State 12 times, with 83 winners since 2008. Meet some of our dynamic Fulbright winners.
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 2022 recognizes 422 schools worldwide that demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation. We’re proud to be ranked among the top 25% of Green colleges on the list.
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 12th year, Forbes has recognized St. Edward’s as one of “America’s Top Colleges.” Their 2022 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 2023 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.
Ranked a “Best College” in Texas and the Southwest
St. Edward’s is ranked among the Best Colleges in Texas and in the Southwest Region by College Factual in their 2023 rankings. Criteria included the superior quality of our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, the caliber of degree choices and education for veterans, and high post-graduation earnings of alumni.
Nationally Recognized for Student Engagement (NSSE)
St. Edward’s scored highly in the 2020 National Survey of Student Engagement taken by more than 315,000 students nationwide. 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 2021 “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 2021 lists of “Most Diverse Colleges” and “Best College Campuses.”
Listed Among Money’s Best Colleges
Money Magazine selected St. Edward’s for its 2020 “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.
#2 Best “Hidden Gem” Catholic College in U.S.
The College Gazette placed St. Edward’s in the #2 spot among its 2020 list of 10 top-tier Catholic colleges that are true hidden gems. Colleges were ranked based on having top programs, producing internationally renowned alumni and being nationally on the rise.
Rated a “Best College” by Consensus
College Consensus ranked St. Edward’s the #9 Best College in Texas and #10 Best College in the West for 2019. The annual list combines ratings and reviews from the most respected publishers and student reviews to provide precise and comprehensive rankings of a school’s reputation and quality.