AUSTIN, Texas – Surrounded by members of the St. Edward's University cheerleading team and beloved mascot Topper, St. Edward's University President Montserrat Fuentes announced St. Edward's is once again recognized among the top regional institutions in the nation, earning No. 5 in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report.
 
St. Edward's received the No. 2 ranking for Best Undergraduate Teaching in the West, No. 3 for Best Value Schools in the West category, and No. 4 in the Best Colleges for Veterans category. 
 
"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."
 
Last year, St. Edward's men's and women's soccer, volleyball, men's and women's cross country, men's basketball, baseball, and softball all earned their respective coaches' association team academic awards. 
 
St. Edward's also won the Lone Star Conference Men's Academic Excellence Award for the highest collective GPA in the conference. The Hilltoppers' men's track and field teams and women's volleyball team had the highest team GPAs in the LSC for their respective sports. Last spring, 161 Hilltoppers earned the LSC Commissioners Honor Roll, including 44 with 4.0 semester grade-point averages.