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Southwest Baptist University

Bolivar, Missouri 65613-2596

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Health sciencesTight-knitCollege town

Known for health sciences — close-knit campus

Southwest Baptist University is a private institution in Bolivar with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1084, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.3K undergraduates with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

51% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $43,112 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $21,082.

Established
1878
Type
Private university
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

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

Plan Your Visit

100%Acceptance
1084SAT Avg
1,339Students
10:1Student:Faculty
51%Grad Rate
$43,112Earnings 10yr
$21,082Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate99.7%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1084

Reading & WritingMid: 540
500600
MathMid: 565
460600

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 22
1824

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

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$28,320
Room & Board$8,952
Books & Supplies$1,500
Total Cost of Attendance$38,035
Average Net Price$21,082
Median Debt at Graduation$20,957
Monthly Payment (10yr)$222

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$22,672
$30–48K$18,056
$48–75K$20,785
$75–110K$21,889
$110K+$21,292

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

53.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.7%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$14,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

9

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

3

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

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

Programs (63)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

66%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
1,339
Gender Split
62% / 38%
Women / Men
First Generation
35%
Pell Grant Recipients
35%

Race & Ethnicity

White 76%
Black 7%
Hispanic 4%
Asian 1%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate51.2%
Freshman Retention66.4%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$38,855
10 Years$43,112

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

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • Maupin founded Southwest Baptist College in 1878 in Lebanon, Missouri.
  • In 1879, the state of Missouri chartered the school and it moved to Bolivar.
  • Southwest Baptist University was granted an exception to Title IX in 2015, allowing it to legally discriminate against LGBT students for religious reasons.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

88Low

Estimated from MO state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Kansas Citypop. 500K
121 mi(210 min)
St. Louispop. 290K
188 mi(326 min)
Nashvillepop. 690K
379 mi(657 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MCI Kansas City137 mi
STL St Louis183 mi
MEM Memphis260 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1224 mi · ~35h 22m drive
New York, NY1059 mi · ~30h 36m drive
Hartford, CT1136 mi · ~32h 49m drive
Providence, RI1201 mi · ~34h 42m drive
Albany, NY1092 mi · ~31h 33m drive
Syracuse, NY982 mi · ~28h 22m drive
Rochester, NY914 mi · ~26h 24m drive
Buffalo, NY847 mi · ~24h 28m drive
Philadelphia, PA994 mi · ~28h 43m drive
Pittsburgh, PA745 mi · ~21h 31m drive
Harrisburg, PA905 mi · ~26h 9m drive
Newark, NJ1051 mi · ~30h 22m drive
Washington, DC892 mi · ~25h 46m drive
Baltimore, MD915 mi · ~26h 26m drive
Atlanta, GA572 mi · ~16h 31m drive
Charlotte, NC717 mi · ~20h 43m drive
Raleigh, NC827 mi · ~23h 53m drive
Miami, FL1126 mi · ~32h 32m drive
Orlando, FL935 mi · ~27h 1m drive
Tampa, FL920 mi · ~26h 35m drive
Nashville, TN379 mi · ~10h 57m drive
New Orleans, LA562 mi · ~16h 14m drive
Richmond, VA874 mi · ~25h 15m drive
Chicago, IL426 mi · ~12h 18m drive
Detroit, MI638 mi · ~18h 26m drive
Minneapolis, MN510 mi · ~14h 44m drive
St. Louis, MO188 mi · ~5h 26m drive
Kansas City, MO121 mi · ~3h 30m drive
Indianapolis, IN418 mi · ~12h 5m drive
Columbus, OH583 mi · ~16h 51m drive
Cleveland, OH679 mi · ~19h 37m drive
Milwaukee, WI474 mi · ~13h 42m drive
Dallas, TX384 mi · ~11h 6m drive
Houston, TX553 mi · ~15h 59m drive
Austin, TX564 mi · ~16h 18m drive
San Antonio, TX636 mi · ~18h 22m drive
Los Angeles, CA1409 mi · ~40h 42m drive
San Francisco, CA1580 mi · ~45h 39m drive
San Diego, CA1380 mi · ~39h 52m drive
Seattle, WA1613 mi · ~46h 36m drive
Portland, OR1598 mi · ~46h 10m drive
Denver, CO642 mi · ~18h 33m drive
Phoenix, AZ1086 mi · ~31h 22m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1012 mi · ~29h 14m drive
Honolulu, HI3960 mi · ~114h 24m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Southwest Baptist University Application Checklist

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