For the fourth consecutive year U.S. News & World Report has recognized St. Edward's University among the top 25 master's-granting institutions in the Western Region.

St. Edward's is one of only four Texas colleges to be ranked in the top 25.

The formula used by U.S. News to rank universities involves a set of criteria that includes: peer assessment, retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.

Since 1999 St. Edward's has improved freshman retention rates by more than 10 percentage points, from 73.5 percent in 1999 to an anticipated 84.9 percent in Fall 2006.

"Enrollment and retention are good measures of student satisfaction," said President George E. Martin. "The fact that more students are applying to St. Edward's and continuing their studies to graduation reflects their satisfaction with our personalized, transformative educational experience. This national recognition is encouraging in our quest to be known as one of the best small universities in the country."

The freshman class of 2010 will begin moving into residence halls on Aug. 25. This new group of students will bring undergraduate enrollment to 3,255, up from 3,047 in fall 2005. By Fall 2006, St. Edward's is expected to see growth of more than 85 percent in the freshman class since 1999.