St. Edward’s University Secures 5th Place for the Second Consecutive Year in 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Regional Universities Rankings
AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward’s University has once again been recognized among the top regional institutions in the nation, earning No. 5 in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Regional Universities in the West rankings. This achievement reflects the university’s continued commitment to academic excellence, student success and preparing graduates to make meaningful contributions as they take on their world.
“St. Edward’s continues to be a place where academic distinction and personalized student support go hand in hand,” said St. Edward’s University President Montserrat Fuentes. “These rankings affirm the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students, and highlight how our pursuit of excellence—anchored in Holy Cross values—ensures that graduates leave the hilltop ready to thrive in meaningful careers and contribute to a more just world.”
For the second consecutive year, the university ranked No. 2 for Best Undergraduate Teaching in the West. This honor recognizes the unwavering faculty commitment to high-quality, student-centered learning and mentorship. Additional notable rankings include No. 3 in the Best Value Schools in the West category for delivering exceptional academic quality at an affordable cost and No. 4 in the Best Colleges for Veterans category for engagement in serving student veterans with dedicated advising, tailored resources and financial support.
These prestigious recognitions build on an academic year of exceptional milestones for St. Edward’s as the university celebrates 140 years of educating the hearts and minds of students across generations. Some other recent accolades include achieving research university status from the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, earning national accreditation for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, becoming the first university in Texas to earn Green Grounds Gold Level recognition by Re:wild Your Campus for its commitment to reducing the use of harmful chemicals on over 90 percent of campus grounds and establishing an innovative transfer experience for Austin Community College students advancing their education on the hilltop through the ACComplish @ St. Edward’s partnership.
About St. Edward’s University
St. Edward’s University is a private university in the Catholic, Holy Cross tradition with approximately 3,000 students. Located in Austin, Texas, it is one of the top universities in the state and offers more than 55 undergraduate, seven master’s degree programs and a doctorate program. St. Edward’s delivers a premier, highly personalized education that provides students distinctive academics and extensive internships, research and service learning opportunities on a vibrant and inclusive hilltop campus in a world-class city. St. Edward’s has been recognized for 22 consecutive years as one of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2026 Best Colleges rankings, St. Edward’s ranked #5 in the Best Regional Universities in the West.
