Acceptance Rate
51%
Avg. SAT
1400
75th percentile
“Baylor wraps you in unapologetic Southern Baptist warmth, where faith fuels football frenzies and future leaders in a quirky Texas river town.”
Waco, TX
Location
Midsize City
Campus Setting
You'll step into Baylor's world, chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas as its first Baptist university, a survivor of campus fires, Civil War chaos, and denominational shifts that moved it from tiny Independence to Waco's Brazos River banks in 1886. This private Christian powerhouse draws students who wear their faith on their sleeves—think earnest Bible study leaders, service-trip enthusiasts, and community builders who thrive amid daily chapel echoes and a pervasive sense of purpose. Baylor's personality shines as welcoming yet firmly conservative, fostering tight-knit bonds in a sea of green-and-gold spirit, but it demands buy-in from those aligned with its Baptist roots; skeptics or party seekers might chafe at the dry campus policies and homogenous vibe.
Waco, your home base, blends small-city charm with explosive growth—Dr Pepper's birthplace boasts a historic suspension bridge, artisanal ferries, and Magnolia Market's empire drawing Fixer Upper fans by the millions, yet it stays affordable and navigable at 140,000 souls. Tradeoffs hit hard: scorching summers push 100 degrees, urban amenities lag behind Austin's buzz two hours away, and cultural diversity trails national averages, though recent influxes add flavor.
Photo Gallery
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In Baylor's classrooms, professors weave faith into lectures with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio that means your organic chemistry prof remembers your name and invites you to lab side-projects, especially if you're eyeing pre-med or nursing, where acceptance rates to med school hover near 60%—far above national averages. The Hankamer School of Business cranks out ethical entrepreneurs through hands-on simulations and honors cohorts, while sciences boast robust undergrad research, like genome sequencing in the Mayborn Museum's labs; you'll debate ethics in philosophy seminars or dissect policy in the political science honors program, all under a 'Christian Worldview' core that sharpens critical thinking with moral anchors.
Intellectual life pulses through the Institute for Faith and Learning, hosting speaker series that blend theology with tech, but don't expect Ivy-level research breadth—Baylor's R2 status prioritizes teaching over groundbreaking labs, so ambitious STEM stars might transfer out for more funding, while humanities lovers revel in intimate seminars amid Waco's quiet focus.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
14,915 undergrad • 5,711 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
60%
Black / African American
6%
Hispanic / Latino
16%
Asian
8%
Other / Multi-racial
10%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Waco, TX
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
A typical week at Baylor kicks off with Monday chapel (optional but electric), flows into tailgate prep for Friday's McLane Stadium roar where 45,000 Bears fans pack in, and wraps with weekend Bible studies or Diadeloso—a midweek 'play day' suspending classes for absurd games like piglet chasing. Greek life claims 30% of students in dry chapters fostering lifelong networks, while 1,100+ clubs span swing dancing to robotics; residential quads buzz with freshmen in all-girls or honors halls, though upperclassmen scatter to off-campus houses amid Waco's evolving scene.
The vibe radiates friendly Southern hospitality—strangers chat in dining halls—but challenges lurk: relentless humidity saps outdoor fun, social dynamics skew conservative (LGBTQ+ visibility low), and nightlife leans toward Cameron Park hikes or Waco Mammoth digs over bars, suiting family-focused extroverts while introverts or urbanites plot escapes to Dallas.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Big 12 Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$28,078
$30K – $48K
$28,517
$48K – $75K
$30,399
$75K – $110K
$34,353
$110K+
$45,366
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
91%
4 Years Graduation Rate
70%
6 Years Graduation Rate
82%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$65,793
91% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Baylor University and return in the fall. 70% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 82% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
70%
4-6 years
12%
Non-grad
18%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$51,738
Acceptance
51%
Undergrads
14,915
4-Year Grad Rate
70%
Endowment
$1.9B
Waco, TX 76798
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