Top 10 Reasons for Hilltop Pride
Each year, St. Edward’s is proud to be consistently recognized among the country’s universities for the impactful outcomes and experiences it provides students.
What drives our high rankings? It’s the transformative opportunities awaiting students and the ways Hilltoppers seize them. Our students immerse themselves in rigorous academics, thrive on our vibrant campus, and engage with Austin and the world beyond.
While we could list countless benefits of a St. Edward’s education, here are 10 points of pride that make us honored to call ourselves Hilltoppers.
1. We’re #5 in the West!
Ƶ remains No. 5 in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 rankings for Best Regional Universities in the West — a testament to our commitment to academic excellence, outstanding achievements and a track record of student success on the hilltop and beyond. Furthermore, for the second time, St. Edward's has earned 2nd place for Undergraduate Teaching Programs in the West. This achievement is a reflection of the exceptional methods of teaching conducted by our esteemed faculty.
We're thrilled to be a leading university in the Western Region, and to retain our highly ranked spot in the U.S. News Best Colleges list for 23 consecutive years.
2. We’re Answering Future Workforce Needs through Academic Opportunities
St. Edward’s is answering the region’s growing demand for healthcare professionals by developing programs that fill critical workforce gaps in Central Texas and beyond. In Fall 2024, the university launched its new School of Health Sciences with our baccalaureate degree program in nursing, receiving accreditation by the . Our Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing have become among our most enrolled programs, preparing the next generation of skilled and compassionate healthcare leaders. Grounded in our mission of justice and equity, the school emphasizes opportunities to train bilingual health professionals through collaboration across academic disciplines.
Looking ahead, St. Edward’s plans to expand graduate-level offerings with post-baccalaureate programs in Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, and Physical Therapy, set to launch by Fall 2028.
3. We’re Committed to Building a Sustainable Future
With a mission to improve lives and transform communities, the university provides an excellent education of distinguished quality that prepares students to create a more humane, just and sustainable world. This commitment includes offering academic programs that immerse students in environmental and sustainability studies, research and internships.
Our students participate in university organizations, including the Food Forest Guild, Students for Sustainability, and Monarchs on the Hilltop, which lead research and on-campus sustainability projects.
Beyond the classroom, St. Edward’s has earned milestone recognition for its commitment to sustainability. The university was the first in Texas to receive a Green Grounds Gold Level Certification and has been honored as a Tree Campus by the Arbor Day Foundation for 10 consecutive years. Our campus trees have also been celebrated, including the beloved Sorin Oak, named the 2022 Austin Tree of the Year (Large Tree), and the St. Joseph Hill Twisted Oak, named the 2023 Austin Tree of the Year (Unique Tree).
Beyond the Classroom
Our students participate in research and studies across the state of Texas at places like Wild Basin, Enchanted Rock, Edwards Aquifer, and more. From Texas Ecology to Ornithology, our curriculum is constantly being refreshed to meet the needs of our modern world.
4. Our Faculty Are Experts in Their Field
Our faculty are trusted voices in their fields, sharing expertise and insights on everything from historic political events to air quality research for government agencies. Their work has earned national and local headlines, as well as grants in the arts and humanities. Bringing real-world experience into the classroom, they innovate in programming and collaborate with students on cutting-edge research, all while weaving the values of our Holy Cross mission into a dynamic, immersive learning experience.
St. Edward’s remained #3 in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 rankings for Best Value Schools in the West category based on the institution’s academic quality and cost.
5. We Build Paths to Advanced Degrees and Career Readiness
Through our Accelerated Graduate Pathways program, undergraduate students gain a head start on advanced degrees by beginning graduate coursework during their senior year, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just five years while saving on tuition. With guidance from success coaches, students can explore a growing range of undergraduate-to-graduate pathways designed to maximize academic and professional outcomes.
Career readiness is equally central to the St. Edward’s experience. Through the Career and Professional Development Office, students can participate in Career Treks – site visits to leading organizations in Austin and across Texas, including Circuit of the Americas, Google, SXSW, ACL Live!, Ascension Dell Children’s Medical Center and AT&T Stadium. From their first days on the hilltop, students meet with career coaches, build employer connections, complete assessments to clarify career goals, and access programming and resources that support their professional growth well beyond graduation.
Austin Career Connections
Through the Career and Professional Development Office, St. Edward’s students are encouraged to sign up for “Career Treks”, where they can explore career and internship opportunities from local industries in Austin and across Texas.
6. We Prepare Next-Level STEM Graduates
St. Edward’s prepares STEM graduates to thrive in the rapidly evolving 4th Industrial Revolution. Undergraduate research emphasizes curiosity, connection, and discovery, allowing students to work alongside mentors, explore big ideas, and make an impact both inside and outside the classroom through specialized hands-on programs.
The Lucian Symposium showcases student research and fosters academic discussion, the Hook Fellowship supports student-led projects at Wild Basin and Balcones Canyonlands Preserve lands, and NextGen E3 offers 2-10 week workplace training opportunities nationwide, preparing students for careers in natural resources, food science, and environmental stewardship.
Our new Applied Data Science program empowers students to enter one of today’s fastest-growing fields confidently. The program emphasizes practical problem-solving with machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data-driven decision-making, preparing graduates to extract meaningful insights that transform organizations and communities.
These accomplishments contribute to St. Edward’s historic designation as a research university by the American Council of Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, cementing the university’s commitment to developing the next generation of STEM innovators and leaders.
7. We’re a Veteran and Transfer-Friendly University
For the second year in a row, U.S. News has ranked St. Edward’s 4th among the “Best Colleges for Veterans” in its 2026 rankings. This recognition highlights the university’s academic excellence as well as its certification for the GI Bill and participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
St. Edward’s is also recognized nationally for its support of transfer students. Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society has named the university to its 2024 Transfer Honor Roll, placing the institution in the top 25% of transfer-friendly institutions nationwide. With generous scholarship, vibrant campus life, and Texas Core Complete status, which allows students to transfer seamlessly after completing community college core curriculum, St. Edward’s provides clear pathways for transfer student success.
This commitment will grow even stronger with the launch of ACComplish @ St. Edward’s, a new scholarship program in partnership with Austin Community College (ACC). Launched in Fall 2025, the program provides financial support, housing, and a streamlined transfer process for ACC students continuing their education on the hilltop.
8. We Live Out Our Holy Cross Mission
Our Holy Cross mission has been the heartbeat of our community for more than 140 years, guiding the success of our students on the hilltop. Rooted in this mission, our spirit compels us to respond to society’s most pressing challenges as we pursue our vision of becoming a Destination University for a More Just World. This shared responsibility comes alive through our students’ commitment to service and social justice at the local, national, and global levels. We nurture Hilltopper pride and well-being through intentional investments in campus spaces, the arts, athletics and multicultural, social and experiential programs.
As a proud Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) and Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) for over 30 years, St. Edward’s has long been a school of choice for educating and empowering Hispanic students. Our decades-long dedication to university programs that support these students reflects the heart of our Holy Cross mission: opening doors of opportunity for all students, especially those from underserved backgrounds.
Together, these commitments embody the enduring legacy of St. Edward’s, where mission, belonging, and impact meet to transform lives and communities.
9. Our Students Achieve at the Highest Level
Hilltoppers are smart, compassionate, creative thinkers and problem solvers. Academic rigor inspires them and advocating for social justice fuels their passion to improve the world. Since 2008, our students have received more than 240 esteemed national and international awards, including Truman, Boren, Pickering, and Gilman fellowships and scholarships, as well as over 85 Fulbright Student grants to teach and study abroad. In fact, St. Edward’s has been a top producer of U.S. Fulbright Students for more than 13 years and was named a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Leader for 2024 — joining only 51 institutions to receive this designation.
Our 2024-2025 Presidential Award winners exemplify this excellence. They have leveraged their enriching experiences to pave the way for their peers, champion positive change in their communities, and transcend expectations in both academic achievement and social advocacy.
"Throughout my time at St. Edward’s, I’ve realized that the impact of research isn’t just in its outcomes, but in how it shapes both the researcher and the community around them. My education here has equipped me with the tools to not only excel in science, but to stand up for injustice, knowing that as a part of a broader community, I have the power to advocate for change.”
– Blen Abegaz ‘25, Biology
Take On Your World
St. Edward’s students are turning classroom experiences into career success, from launching public relations and marketing paths to advancing innovations in technology. Our alumni are making their mark in industries worldwide.
10. Our Goal is for 100% of Students to Participate in Experiential Learning
On the hilltop, courageous and purposeful teaching and academic excellence go hand-in-hand. Through our highly collaborative community of problem-solvers and innovators, our students have opportunities to engage in dynamic experiential learning through solutions-driven research and impactful internships. Our students discover new paths to creative exploration through opportunities to apply their studies to real-world challenges across the globe. They study abroad to learn about different cultures and dive into innovative, creative projects that contribute to society at large. Above all, when our students leave St. Edward's, they are ready to take on their world.
