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Baylor University

Waco, Texas 76798

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedUrbanGreek life

Strong graduate outcomes — known for business

Baylor University is a private institution in Waco with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1313, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 15K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

80% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $65,793 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $41,942.

Established
1845
Motto
Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana, Pro Mundo
Mascot
Judge Indy and Judge Belle (live bears)Bruiser and Marigold (costumed)
Type
Private research university
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

46 upcoming visits · Next: Fri, May 29 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

51%Acceptance
1313SAT Avg
15,007Students
15:1Student:Faculty
80%Grad Rate
$65,793Earnings 10yr
$41,942Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate51.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1313

Reading & WritingMid: 625
610700
MathMid: 630
600700

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 29
2732

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$54,844
Room & Board$14,235
Books & Supplies$1,438
Total Cost of Attendance$70,130
Average Net Price$41,942
Median Debt at Graduation$23,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$244

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$30,674
$30–48K$30,348
$48–75K$32,236
$75–110K$37,708
$110K+$47,442

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

66.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.9%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$19,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

115

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

29

Burglary

6

Aggravated Assault

4

Robbery

10

Motor Vehicle Theft

12

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

30

Drug Arrests

23

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (177)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

91%

Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
15,007
Gender Split
60% / 40%
Women / Men
First Generation
17%
Pell Grant Recipients
13%

Race & Ethnicity

White 61%
Black 5%
Hispanic 16%
Asian 9%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 3%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate80.2%
Freshman Retention90.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$56,532
10 Years$65,793

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#88
vs 2024
Forbes
#188
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#1
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — from women

TennisBasketballNational championshipHoops dropsTennis crowned

History & Fun Facts

  • In 1841, 35 delegates to the Union Baptist Association meeting voted to adopt the suggestion of the Rev.
  • Baylor In fall 1844, the Texas Baptist Education Society petitioned the Congress of the Republic of Texas to charter a Baptist university.
  • Republic President Anson Jones signed the Act of Congress on February 1, 1845, officially establishing Baylor University.
  • Although these three men are credited as being the founders of the university, many others worked to see the first university established in Texas and thus they were awarded Baylor's Founders Medal.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

99Average

Estimated from TX state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

Dallaspop. 1.3M
87 mi(151 min)
Austinpop. 960K
96 mi(166 min)
Houstonpop. 2.3M
161 mi(279 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

DFW Dallas-Fort Worth94 mi
AUS Austin99 mi
IAH Houston Intercontinental151 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1612 mi · ~46h 34m drive
New York, NY1431 mi · ~41h 20m drive
Hartford, CT1520 mi · ~43h 55m drive
Providence, RI1583 mi · ~45h 44m drive
Albany, NY1491 mi · ~43h 4m drive
Syracuse, NY1394 mi · ~40h 16m drive
Rochester, NY1333 mi · ~38h 31m drive
Buffalo, NY1269 mi · ~36h 40m drive
Philadelphia, PA1356 mi · ~39h 10m drive
Pittsburgh, PA1134 mi · ~32h 46m drive
Harrisburg, PA1279 mi · ~36h 57m drive
Newark, NJ1423 mi · ~41h 7m drive
Washington, DC1239 mi · ~35h 48m drive
Baltimore, MD1269 mi · ~36h 40m drive
Atlanta, GA756 mi · ~21h 50m drive
Charlotte, NC972 mi · ~28h 5m drive
Raleigh, NC1100 mi · ~31h 47m drive
Miami, FL1100 mi · ~31h 47m drive
Orlando, FL963 mi · ~27h 49m drive
Tampa, FL913 mi · ~26h 23m drive
Nashville, TN673 mi · ~19h 27m drive
New Orleans, LA433 mi · ~12h 31m drive
Richmond, VA1192 mi · ~34h 26m drive
Chicago, IL885 mi · ~25h 34m drive
Detroit, MI1074 mi · ~31h 2m drive
Minneapolis, MN951 mi · ~27h 28m drive
St. Louis, MO626 mi · ~18h 5m drive
Kansas City, MO541 mi · ~15h 38m drive
Indianapolis, IN836 mi · ~24h 9m drive
Columbus, OH980 mi · ~28h 19m drive
Cleveland, OH1095 mi · ~31h 38m drive
Milwaukee, WI940 mi · ~27h 9m drive
Dallas, TX87 mi · ~2h 31m drive
Houston, TX161 mi · ~4h 39m drive
Austin, TX96 mi · ~2h 46m drive
San Antonio, TX168 mi · ~4h 51m drive
Los Angeles, CA1237 mi · ~35h 44m drive
San Francisco, CA1495 mi · ~43h 11m drive
San Diego, CA1174 mi · ~33h 55m drive
Seattle, WA1728 mi · ~49h 55m drive
Portland, OR1673 mi · ~48h 20m drive
Denver, CO717 mi · ~20h 43m drive
Phoenix, AZ880 mi · ~25h 25m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1039 mi · ~30h 1m drive
Honolulu, HI3778 mi · ~109h 9m drive
Deep South / Subtropical (warm winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

Baylor University Application Checklist

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