Accolades
Saint Xavier University (SXU) has been awarded many honors over its 178-year history. Continually striving for excellence, SXU takes pride in its accomplishments and recognitions. Below are the most recent and notable accolades the University has received; to explore the full list, please view Advancing Our Mission news stories.
Check out our SXU At a Glance (PDF) for quick facts and rankings.
Date of uploaded document: October 23, 2024.
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September 18, 2023: SXU ranks within the top 5 in Illinois for "Best Undergraduate Nursing Program" by U.S. News & World Report. All institutions ranked must be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and be a regionally-accredited institution that awards at least 35 BSN degrees.
September 12, 2022: SXU ranks within the top 10 in Illinois for "Best Undergraduate Nursing Program" by U.S. News & World Report. All institutions ranked must be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and be a regionally-accredited institution that awards at least 35 BSN degrees.
The Enlace award marks the second Title V grant and third major federal grant received by SXU tied to its federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).
July 2024: SXU was recognized among the 2023-2024 Colleges of Distinction as a higher education
institution in Illinois, as a Catholic university, and in the areas of nursing, business
and education for the seventh consecutive year. SXU was also recognized in the areas
of career development, equity and inclusion, and military support for the fourth consecutive
year. The list honors higher education institutions across the country that engage
students, offer great teaching, create vibrant campus communities and foster successful
outcomes.
July 2023: SXU was recognized among the 2023-2024 Colleges of Distinction as a higher education
institution in Illinois, as a Catholic university, and in the areas of nursing, business
and education for the seventh consecutive year. SXU was also recognized in the areas
of career development, equity and inclusion, and military support for the fourth consecutive
year. The list honors higher education institutions across the country that engage
students, offer great teaching, create vibrant campus communities and foster successful
outcomes.
January 2023: SXU was recognized for Colleges of Distinction's newest honor, the Affordable Colleges
of Distinction Award, which recognizes an institution's affordable programming in
relation to its peers. The list considers institutions who not only have low tuition
rates but who also offer a solid return on investment. SXU was one of fewer than 150
institutions across the U.S. to receive recognition.
July 2022: SXU was recognized among the 2022-2023 Colleges of Distinction as a higher education
institution in Illinois, as a Catholic university, and in the areas of nursing, business
and education for the sixth consecutive year. SXU was also recognized in the areas
of career development, equity and inclusion, and military support for the third consecutive
year. The list honors higher education institutions across the country that engage
students, offer great teaching, create vibrant campus communities and foster successful
outcomes.
July 2021: SXU was recognized among the 2021-2022 Colleges of Distinction as a higher education
institution in Illinois, as a Catholic university and in the areas of nursing, business
and education for the fifth consecutive year. SXU was also recognized in the areas
of career development, equity and inclusion, and military support. The list honors
higher education institutions across the country that engage students, offer great
teaching, create vibrant campus communities and foster successful outcomes.
October 2020: Saint Xavier University (SXU) was recognized among the 2020-2021 Colleges of Distinction in the areas of equity and inclusion and military support. Inclusive campuses are ranked based on the institution's commitment to and support of all identities, from race, cultural background and socioeconomic status to gender identity, sexual orientation and physical ability. Institutions recognized in the area of military support work to support and cultivate the skills that military students bring to the classroom while helping them achieve their personal and professional goals.
Previous College of Distinction recognitions:
- National Colleges of Distinction: 2011-2012, 2017-2018, 2018-2019
- Illinois Colleges of Distinction: 2011-2012, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021
- Catholic Colleges of Distinction: 2011-2012, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021
- Business Colleges of Distinction: 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021
- Education Colleges of Distinction: 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021
- Nursing Colleges of Distinction: 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021
- Colleges of Career Development: 2019-2020, 2020-2021
September 2024: U.S. News and World Report ranks Saint Xavier University as a "Top Performer for Social
Mobility" on the 2025 List of Best Colleges. The institution is committed to eliminating
racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps and increasing graduation rates, as part
of the Illinois Equity Attainment (ILEA) initiative.
September 2023: U.S. News and World Report ranks Saint Xavier University as a "Top Performer for Social
Mobility" on the 2024 List of Best Colleges. The institution is committed to eliminating
racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps and increasing graduation rates, as part
of the Illinois Equity Attainment (ILEA) initiative.
September 2022: U.S. News and World Report ranks Saint Xavier University as a "Top Performer for Social
Mobility" on the 2023 List of Best Colleges. The institution is committed to eliminating
racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps and increasing graduation rates, as part
of the Illinois Equity Attainment (ILEA) initiative.
September 2021: U.S. News and World Report ranks Saint Xavier University as a "Top Performer for Social
Mobility" on the 2022 List of Best Colleges. The institution is committed to eliminating
racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps and increasing graduation rates, as part
of the Illinois Equity Attainment (ILEA) initiative and ranks among the top 10 regional
institutions in the Midwest for "Social Mobility."
September 2020: U.S. News and World Report ranks Saint Xavier University as a "Top Performer for Social Mobility" on the 2021 List of Best Colleges. The institution is committed to eliminating racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps and increasing graduation rates, as part of the Illinois Equity Attainment (ILEA) initiative and ranks among the top 15 regional institutions in the Midwest for "Social Mobility."
September 2019: U.S. News and World Report ranks Saint Xavier University as a "Top Performer for Social Mobility" on the 2020 List of Best Colleges. The institution is committed to eliminating racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps and increasing graduation rates, as part of the Illinois Equity Attainment (ILEA) initiative.
September 24, 2024: Saint Xavier University (SXU) is ranked among the top 15 most diverse student populations
among universities in the Midwest. U.S. News factors in the total proportion of minority
students, leaving out international students and the overall mix of groups. The data
is drawn from each institution's student body for the 2024-2025 school year.
September 18, 2023: Saint Xavier University (SXU) is ranked among the top 10 most diverse student populations
among universities in the Midwest. U.S. News factors in the total proportion of minority
students, leaving out international students and the overall mix of groups. The data
is drawn from each institution's student body for the 2023-2024 school year.
September 12, 2022: Saint Xavier University (SXU) is ranked among the top 10 most diverse student populations
among universities in the Midwest. U.S. News factors in the total proportion of minority
students, leaving out international students and the overall mix of groups. The data
is drawn from each institution's student body for the 2022-2023 school year.
September 12, 2021: Saint Xavier University (SXU) is ranked among the top 10 most diverse student populations
among universities in the Midwest. U.S. News factors in the total proportion of minority
students, leaving out international students and the overall mix of groups. The data
is drawn from each institution's student body for the 2021-2022 school year.
September 14, 2020: Saint Xavier University (SXU) is ranked among the top 10 most diverse student populations among universities in the Midwest. U.S. News factors in the total proportion of minority students, leaving out international students and the overall mix of groups. The data is drawn from each institution's student body for the 2020-2021 school year.
September 9, 2019: Saint Xavier University (SXU) is ranked No. 10 among the 10 most diverse student populations among universities in the Midwest. U.S. News factors in the total proportion of minority students, leaving out international students and the overall mix of groups. The data is drawn from each institution's student body for the 2019-2020 school year.
September 10, 2018: Saint Xavier University (SXU) is ranked No. 9 among the 10 most diverse student populations among universities in the Midwest. U.S. News factors in the total proportion of minority students, leaving out international students and the overall mix of groups. The data is drawn from each institution's student body for the 2018-2019 school year.
September 12, 2016: Saint Xavier University (SXU) has ranked No. 8 among the 10 most diverse student populations among universities in the Midwest. U.S. News factors in the total proportion of minority students, leaving out international students and the overall mix of groups. The data is drawn from each institution's student body for the 2015-2016 school year.
September 24, 2024: Saint Xavier University (SXU) is named a Top 10 "Best Value School" among regional
universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. SXU has ranked in the top 50 for the past eight years, including ranking among the
top 10 in 2016 and 2017.
September 18, 2023: Saint Xavier University (SXU) is named a Top 10 "Best Value School" among regional
universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. SXU has ranked in the top 50 for the past seven years, including ranking among the
top 10 in 2016 and 2017.
September 12, 2022: Saint Xavier University (SXU) is named a "Best Value School" among regional universities
in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. SXU has ranked in the top 50 for the past seven years, including ranking among the
top 10 in 2016 and 2017.
September 14, 2021: Saint Xavier University (SXU) is named a "Best Value School" among regional universities
in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. SXU has ranked in the top 50 for the past six years, including ranking among the
top 10 in 2016 and 2017.
September 14, 2020: Saint Xavier University (SXU) is named a "Best Value School" among regional universities
in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. SXU has ranked in the top 50 for the past five years, including ranking among the
top 10 in 2016 and 2017.
September 9, 2019: Saint Xavier University (SXU) is named a "Best Value School" among regional universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. SXU has ranked in the top 50 for the past four years, including ranking among the top 10 in 2016 and 2017.
September 10, 2018: Saint Xavier University (SXU) is named a "Best Value School" among regional universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. SXU has ranked in the top 50 for the past three years, including ranking among the top 10 in 2016 and 2017.
September 12, 2016: Saint Xavier University (SXU) has ranked in the top ten "Best Value" of the Midwest universities. The calculation used here takes into account a school's academic quality, as indicated by its 2017 U.S. News Best Colleges ranking, and the 2015-2016 net cost of attendance for a student who received the average level of need-based financial aid.
January 2024: Saint Xavier University (SXU) was ranked within the top 10 safest college campuses in Illinois by Niche. Top-ranked colleges
offer a safe and healthy environment for little or no campus crime, drugs or alcohol
usage.
January 2023: Saint Xavier University (SXU) was ranked within the top 10 safest college campuses in Illinois by Niche. Top-ranked colleges
offer a safe and healthy environment for little or no campus crime, drugs or alcohol
usage.
June 2022: Saint Xavier University (SXU) was ranked within the top 10 safest college campuses in Illinois by Niche. Top-ranked colleges
offer a safe and healthy environment for little or no campus crime, drugs or alcohol
usage.
September 2021: Saint Xavier University (SXU) was ranked within the top 10 safest college campuses in Illinois by Niche. Top-ranked colleges offer a safe and healthy environment for little or no campus crime, drugs or alcohol usage.
September 2020: Saint Xavier University (SXU) was ranked within the top ten safest college campuses in Illinois by Niche. Top-ranked colleges offer a safe and healthy environment for little or no campus crime, drugs or alcohol usage.
March 2024:For the fifth year in a row, Saint Xavier University (SXU) was named a Military Friendly®
School by Military Friendly®, an organization whose standard measures, investigates
and identifies institutions whose commitment to serving the military and veteran community
creates sustainable and meaningful opportunities for them. This year, SXU received
the special accolade of "Gold School," a designation only 15% of the 1,800 schools
selected receive.
March 2023:For the fourth year in a row, Saint Xavier University (SXU) was named a Military Friendly®
School by Military Friendly®, an organization whose standard measures, investigates
and identifies institutions whose commitment to serving the military and veteran community
creates sustainable and meaningful opportunities for them. This year, SXU received
the special accolade of "Silver School."
February 2022: For the third year in a row, Saint Xavier University (SXU) was named a Military Friendly®
School by Military Friendly®, an organization whose standard measures, investigates
and identifies institutions whose commitment to serving the military and veteran community
creates sustainable and meaningful opportunities for them. This year, SXU received
the special accolade of "Gold School," a designation only 15% of the 1,800 schools selected receive.
February 2021: For the second year in a row, Saint Xavier University (SXU) was named a Military
Friendly® School by Military Friendly®, an organization whose standard measures, investigates
and identifies institutions whose commitment to serving the military and veteran community
creates sustainable and meaningful opportunities for them.
February 2020: Saint Xavier University (SXU) was named a Military Friendly® School by Military Friendly®, an organization whose standard measures, investigates and identifies institutions whose commitment to serving the military and veteran community creates sustainable and meaningful opportunities for them.
September 2019: Saint Xavier University (SXU) was awarded a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education under its Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions Title V Program to create clear and integrated academic and career pathways for students to reach their educational and career goals.
The Comprehensive, Aligned Supports for Attainment (CASA) initiative outlined in SXU's successful proposal (#P031S190311) will enhance student outcomes through an institution-wide approach, featuring:
- A revamped Student Success Academy for incoming first-year students;
- The hiring of additional tutors and writing specialists for SXU's Center for Learning and Student Support;
- The establishment of a sophomore engagement and service learning program;
- The creation of a personal and career development program, with courses spanning all four academic years; and
- A robust financial literacy and personal finance program focused on establishing financial health and reducing the amount of time needed to pay student loans.
"The CASA program symbolizes SXU's Mercy mission inspired by its founders, the Sisters of Mercy, whose clear directive is to create a more just and equitable world," stated Patricia Morris, Ph.D., chair of the SXU Board of Trustees.
September 2024: Saint Xavier is recognized for the sixth year in a row for being a "Best College for
Veterans" (No. 4 in the Midwest) among regional universities on the 2025 List of Best
Colleges from U.S. News & World Report. Saint Xavier is proud to serve its student-veterans
with access to resources and services to help them transition into the classroom and
succeed in completing their degree.
September 2023: Saint Xavier is recognized for the fifth year in a row for being a "Best College for
Veterans" among regional universities on the 2024 List of Best Colleges from U.S.
News & World Report and is ranked the No. 1 private institution in Illinois. Saint
Xavier is proud to serve its student-veterans with access to resources and services
to help them transition into the classroom and succeed in completing their degree.
September 2022: Saint Xavier is recognized for the fourth year in a row for being a "Best College
for Veterans" among regional universities on the 2023 List of Best Colleges from U.S.
News & World Report. Saint Xavier is proud to serve its student-veterans with access
to resources and services to help them transition into the classroom and succeed in
completing their degree.
September 2021: Saint Xavier is recognized for the third year in a row for being a "Best College
for Veterans" among regional universities on the 2022 List of Best Colleges from U.S.
News & World Report. Saint Xavier is proud to serve its student-veterans with access
to resources and services to help them transition into the classroom and succeed in
completing their degree.
September 2020: Saint Xavier is recognized for the second year in a row for being a "Best College for Veterans" among regional universities on the 2021 List of Best Colleges from U.S. News & World Report. Saint Xavier is proud to serve its student-veterans with access to resources and services to help them transition into the classroom and succeed in completing their degree.
September 2019: Saint Xavier is recognized this year for the first time for being a "Best College for Veterans" among regional universities on the 2020 List of Best Colleges from U.S. News & World Report. Saint Xavier is proud to serve its student-veterans with access to resources and services to help them transition into the classroom and succeed in completing their degree.
February 7, 2024: Saint Xavier University's School of Nursing earned the No. 3 ranking for U.S. News
& World Report's 2024 "Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs." SXU's School of Nursing has ranked in the top 10 online graduate nursing programs
for 11 consecutive years.
January 24, 2023: Saint Xavier University's School of Nursing and Health Sciences earned the No. 5 ranking
for U.S. News & World Report's 2023 "Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs." SXU's School of Nursing and Health Sciences has ranked in the top 10 online graduate
nursing programs for 10 consecutive years and in 2023 scored a 98 out of 100, performing
in the top 5% of universities and colleges across the United States.
January 25, 2022: Saint Xavier University's School of Nursing and Health Sciences earned the No. 6
ranking for U.S. News & World Report's 2022 "Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs." SXU's School of Nursing and Health Sciences has ranked in the top 10 online graduate
nursing programs for nine consecutive years and in 2022 scored a 97 out of 100, performing
in the top 5% of universities and colleges across the United States.
January 26, 2021: Saint Xavier University's School of Nursing and Health Sciences recently earned the No. 5 ranking by U.S. News & World Report's 2021 "Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs." SXU's School of Nursing and Health Sciences has ranked in the top five online graduate nursing programs eight consecutive years.
January 15, 2020: Saint Xavier University's School of Nursing and Health Sciences recently earned the No. 4 ranking by U.S. News & World Report's 2020 "Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs." SXU's School of Nursing and Health Sciences has ranked in the top five online graduate nursing programs seven consecutive years. The rankings measured a variety of factors, including program reputation, faculty credentials, student engagement, admissions selectivity, peer reputation, as well as student services and technology. Learn more about the ranking methodologies for the "Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs."
SXU School of Nursing and Health Sciences offers online MSN tracks in family nurse practitioner and nurse educator. "Our consistent high ranking is a remarkable achievement and honor, and demonstrates SXU's ongoing commitment to excellence in online teaching-learning practices. It is a tribute to the leadership of Director of Online Programs Charlene Bermele, DNP, RN, CNE, and the dedicated and talented faculty," said School of Nursing and Health Sciences Associate Dean for Graduate Programs Michele Poradzisz, Ph.D., RN, CNE, CNL.
October 2018: Saint Xavier University (SXU) commits to the Partnership for College Completion as one of 29 colleges and universities across the state of Illinois dedicated to ending institutional inequities in college graduation rates by 2025 with a focus on low-income and first-generation students and students of color. The 29 colleges and universities, representing two-year and four-year public and private institutions, are the inaugural participants in the partnership's newly launched Illinois Equity in Attainment Initiative (ILEA).
October 2018: USA Today ranks Saint Xavier University among the top 100 universities in the nation with the greatest rise in student applications.
August 2018: Saint Xavier University (SXU) was awarded a $1.46 million grant (#1832511) from the National Science Foundation to support underserved students pursing a career in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
July 2018: Saint Xavier University's (SXU) nursing program was honored by the National League for Nursing as a Center of Excellence for the 2018-2022 term. This prestigious designation has been earned by the program for the fourth consecutive term for creating environments that enhance student learning and professional development. SXU held the Center of Excellence designation continuously from 2007-2022.
SXU was one of five schools to receive continuous COE designation four times.
January 17, 2018: Saint Xavier University ranked fourth in Illinois among colleges and universities that are considered the best investments for underserved students, according to a new study, "Cornerstones of Student Success: Institutions Yielding High Return on Investment for Underserved Students," recently released by the Illinois Education Research Council (IERC).
"These findings reinforce Saint Xavier's continued dedication to student engagement, learning and success," said President Laurie M. Joyner, Ph.D. "Our mission is to educate and prepare a diverse student population to successfully serve and lead in their careers and communities."
October 12, 2017: Saint Xavier University (SXU) takes pride in education. Thus, it is fitting that a list for the "10 Best Online Masters in Elementary Educations Degrees for 2017" named SXU's program in the ratings, coming in at number six. Education is one of the original fields of study for the university, dating back to 1846 when it was founded by the Sisters of Mercy. Teaching degrees are among the most popular at SXU, both in undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
"Saint Xavier University is dedicated to providing the best quality education to its students," said Interim Provost Suzanne Lee, the former dean of SXU's School of Education. "It's the everlasting commitment to quality education here at SXU, which has been proven through this ranking."
March 2022: WXAV won their first Golden Microphone Award at the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System's 2022 IBS Media Awards. Saint Xavier University communication student Thressa Nelson won first place for Best Underwriting Spot for WXAV program "Bookies New and Used Books."
September 30, 2016: Saint Xavier University's student-run radio station WXAV 88.3FM will celebrate its 25th anniversary on the broadcast airwaves. WXAV broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It also reaches a worldwide audience by streaming LIVE at WXAV.com.
"One thing that has stayed the same [over the broadcasting years], is the passion all participating students have towards the station," said Peter Kreten, director of student media. "I'd like to see WXAV continue to grow, develop and embrace the changing trends in broadcasting. I hope the next 25 years of WXAV will cement its legacy as being one of the premier college radio stations in the country."
Below are some of the accomplishments of WXAV over the years:
- Won over a dozen Illinois Broadcasting Associations (IBA) Student Silverdome Awards, including eight first place awards;
- Took second place twice (2003 and 2013) in the Professional IBA Silverdome Awards in Public Affairs programming, beating out WGN-AM and 101.9-FM The Mix;
- In 2010, WXAV was named by Paste Magazine as one of the "Best College Radio Stations in the U.S."
- Students have arranged and interviewed artists such as: Sean Lennon, Moby, Coldplay, Ralph Nadar, Ziggy Marley, Dane Cook, the Dropkick Murphys, Local H and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
March 3, 2016: Saint Xavier University's (SXU) Communication Sciences and Disorders students competed and won the seventh annual Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (ISHA) College Bowl on Friday, Feb. 12. This is the second year SXU has won this competition!
The SXU team consisted of second year graduate students in the Master of Science Speech-Language Pathology program. Students Elyse Gnika, Kelsey Kaelin, Kaila Koch and Amanda Wilbur demonstrated their mastery of language and language disorders, neurological disorders, fluency disorders, genetic syndromes, hearing, multicultural issue and the sound system.
"We are extremely proud of the students in the Master of Science Speech-Language Pathology program," said Szymanski. "This is a group of intelligent and clinically talented students more than ready to enter the profession of speech-language pathology, who will represent SXU well!"
December 8, 2015: Saint Xavier University was recently ranked No. 9 on Great Value Colleges' "Top 10 Colleges for an Online Degree in Chicago" list. Chicago institutions are known throughout the world as research centers and leaders among the world of academia.
Institutions included within this list are accredited with governing bodies and agencies, such as the Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. This network of colleges and universities caters to the needs of its student population, offering online degree options that allow students to attend school while working full time.
May 2015: Saint Xavier University is designated a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). HSI's are defined as colleges and universities in which the Hispanic enrollment is at least 25 percent of their total enrollment.