called New College (1974); and Freshman Studies (1975). In 1984, Patricia Hayes became the second layperson to lead St. Edward's University. In 1990, enrollment reached 3,000 for the first time. This decade also ushered in civic initiatives and capital improvements.
St. Edward's endowment, as of 2015, stood at more than $92.4 million.
=== 2026 U.S. News Regional Universities (West) ranking ===
St. Edward's University ranked 5th for the second consecutive year in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report ranking of the Best Regional Universities in the West. In the same report, the university was ranked 2nd in Undergraduate Teaching, 3rd in Best Value Schools, and 4th in Best Colleges for Veterans.
=== Expansion (1999–present) ===
George E. Martin served as the institution's 23rd president. From Fall 1999–Summer 2021, Martin oversaw a period of expansion for St. Edward's that included transforming the campus through the construction of many new buildings, doubling enrollment, growing the endowment, building global …
