Robert C. Hilliard attended St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, where he enrolled on a tennis scholarship, graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English literature in 1980.[3] While at St. Edwards, Hilliard was a four-year letterman in tennis and St. Edward's Athlete of the Year for 1979–1980. In 2016, he was given St. Edward's Distinguished Alumni Award.[4] He went on to attend St. Mary's University School of Law, in San Antonio, Texas, graduating with honors in 1983.[5]