Rankings for 2025 also highlight the University’s excellence in social mobility and serving veterans

St. Mary’s University has secured top rankings in the 2025 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges guide. The rankings released today once again affirm St. Mary’s University’s reputation as a premier institution in the West region. Notably, St. Mary’s ranks No. 1 for Best Value Universities in the West, offering students a combination of exceptional academic quality and affordability.

“Which colleges and universities offer students the best value? The calculation used here takes into account a school’s academic quality, as indicated by its 2025 U.S. News Best Colleges ranking, and the 2023-2024 net cost of attendance for an out-of-state student who received the average level of need-based financial aid,” stated the U.S. News description of the ranking. “The higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the deal.”

In the Regional Universities (West) category, which stretches 15 states from Texas to Alaska, St. Mary’s holds the No. 17 spot out of 118 institutions, underscoring the University’s academic strength and its enduring place among top-tier regional universities for more than 30 years. Students are drawn to the personalized attention offered through small class sizes and a student-to-faculty ratio of 11-to-1.

“Reaching the No. 1 spot for Best Value in the West is a testament to St. Mary’s University’s unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional education that is both accessible and transformative,” said President Winston Erevelles, Ph.D. “Stemming from our Catholic and Marianist values, our focus is on ensuring that students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for success in their vocations and in service to their communities.”

In addition to measures of affordability, the findings of a comprehensive study, commissioned by St. Mary’s University and conducted by YouGov earlier this year, revealed that the benefits of a Catholic college education extend significantly beyond the financial — impacting graduates’ lives with contentment and a stronger sense of direction, increased fulfillment and a greater focus on moral decision-making.

Social Mobility and Support for Veterans

In recent years, U.S. News introduced the Top Performers on Social Mobility ranking to evaluate how well schools serve underrepresented students, particularly those receiving federal Pell Grants. St. Mary’s improved its position this year. The University tied for No. 9 in the West for social mobility, reflecting its commitment to supporting students from lower-income households. The University remains first in San Antonio in this category for the sixth consecutive year.

St. Mary’s also ranks top in San Antonio and No. 12 in the West for Best Colleges for Veterans, reaffirming its dedication to supporting veterans and active-duty service members. As a Yellow Ribbon School, St. Mary’s continues to take part in federal initiatives that aid veterans in funding their education.

Engineering and Law Programs

In undergraduate engineering, St. Mary’s ranked No. 131 in the nation for Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (Non-Doctorate), according to the U.S. News & World Report.

The St. Mary’s School of Law Advocacy Program continues to excel. In August, the Advocacy Program, also known as the National Team, tied for the No. 1 ranking in the nation by the American Bar Association.

As St. Mary’s University continues to elevate its academic offerings and student experience, its commitment to providing an education that fosters personal growth, purpose and community involvement remains at the forefront.

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