St. Edward’s University: A Visitor’s Guide

St. Edward’s University is an independent Catholic university founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross. Its main campus is at 3001 South Congress, Austin, Texas 78704-6489, about three miles from downtown Austin.

Main Building has stood on the campus hilltop since 1888. The university describes it as occupying the campus’s highest elevation point, with views of the Austin skyline.

For a sense of the layout before you arrive, the university’s campus map includes an interactive 3D view of buildings and campus destinations, suggested self-guided walking tours, and points of interest. There is also an illustrated walking map for exploring at your own pace.

From Village Motor Inn, the campus is about a 3-minute drive or a 16-minute walk. That makes the motel a nearby base if you have a campus visit planned.

Campus tours, open-house events, transfer events, virtual tours, and personalized visits are offered through the university’s Visit page. Prospective visitors can register for a campus tour there. A personalized visit may include a campus tour, a meeting with an admission counselor, Student Financial Services, or a current student, and/or attending a class; options depend on the request.

If you cannot visit in person, the university provides interactive virtual tours of the campus and residence halls. For any visit, check the official site before you go for current tour availability and visitor information.

Sort out parking before setting off: campus parking is enforced around the clock, and all vehicles need a permit and must follow university parking regulations. The university uses license-plate recognition for enforcement and vPermits, so your license plate serves as the permit rather than a printed pass on the dashboard.

• Guest ePermit: You can obtain a free guest ePermit through the university department sponsoring your visit. That department will direct you to the designated parking locations.
• Visitor ePermit: Purchased visitor ePermits allow parking in Economy lots P1, P2, P3, Q, T1, and U on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitor ePermit holders may use Standard lots Monday through Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and all day on weekends.
• Event parking: If you are attending a campus event, register for event parking. The event parking portal provides event-specific locations and instructions.

Short-term Park ATX zones are in Lots A1, W, and Z1. Payment through the Park ATX app is required, including for vehicles with an SEU ePermit. On weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., those spaces can be purchased in one-hour increments, up to a three-hour maximum.

For a bus route, use the CapMetro Trip Planner. Parking Services can be reached at parking@stedwards.edu or 512-326-PARK (7275); its posted office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Start with the university’s Visit page, then register for a tour or request a personalized visit if you need a particular meeting or class visit.

For an appointment or event, confirm the location and parking instructions before you travel; event parking may have its own designated arrangements. If your plans are flexible, the illustrated map and suggested walking tours offer a way to see campus independently.

Auditorium Shores is among the nearby Austin places the university highlights, and it is 2.5 miles from campus. For more ideas to combine with a campus visit, see this practical south-to-downtown Austin itinerary.