Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Waco, Texas |
| Online | baylor.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Religious Affiliation | Baptist |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Baylor University, located in Waco, Texas, along the Brazos River, sits on a 1,000-acre campus approximately halfway between Dallas and Austin. Founded in 1845 as a Baptist institution, Baylor stands as the oldest continuously operating university in Texas, characterized by its Georgian-style architecture and distinct red-brick buildings. The private research university maintains selective admission standards and offers comprehensive academic programs, with particularly strong offerings in business, nursing, engineering, and pre-medical studies. Baylor operates as a residential campus where most undergraduate students live in university housing for at least part of their academic career, and the university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Big 12 Conference, with notable success in basketball and football programs. Students have access to more than 125 undergraduate programs across 12 academic divisions, including the nationally recognized Hankamer School of Business and Louise Herrington School of Nursing.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Baylor is rated within the top 25% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Baylor University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#145 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#114 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#7 in Best Colleges in Texas
#5 in Best Private Colleges in Texas
#556 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#20 in Best Value Colleges in Texas
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1230/1410 |
| ACT | 28/33 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.74 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Feb 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Average |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,390 |
| Other Fees | $0 |
| Room and Board | $13,587 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,456 |
| Total One Year Cost | $70,171 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 28% |
| Health Professions | 10% |
| Biology | 10% |
| Communication | 8% |
| Social Sciences | 7% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Baylor University.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=223232 IPEDS survey data for Baylor University.
Current students may use the Baylor University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024