St. Mary’s University, founded in 1852 by Marianist brothers and priests, is the first institution of higher learning in San Antonio and the oldest Catholic university in Texas and the Southwest. Personal attention and powerful academic programs have made St. Mary’s a nationally recognized liberal arts institution. St. Mary’s University sits among the top colleges and universities in the country in a Brookings Institution study that shows how well colleges prepare students for careers. With a score of 99 out of 100, St. Mary’s has the 17th highest value-added score with respect to mid-career salary. This score is the highest in San Antonio and right behind Rice University for best in Texas. Money Magazine ranked St. Mary’s the best university in San Antonio, fourth in Texas and 52nd nationally in its 2016 Best Value Colleges list based on quality of education, affordability and graduates’ job success.