
Waco, TXprivate nonprofitwww.baylor.edu/
Baylor University is a mid-sized Baptist university in Waco, Texas, where rigorous academics collide with spirited Texas traditions. Known for its strong pre-professional programs (especially nursing and business) and a tight-knit Christian community, Baylor offers a distinctly Southern college experience with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio and a 90%+ post-grad success rate.
Baylor is moderately selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. fluctuating between 39.7% and 52% in recent years. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1170-1350 on the SAT or 25-31 on the ACT, with averages around 1267 SAT and 29 ACT. While Baylor is Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight., submitting scores can strengthen an application, especially for competitive programs like nursing. The university emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., considering high school GPA (typically 3.7+ unweighted), course rigor, and extracurricular involvement. Notably, Baylor has a 25.5% yield rate, meaning many admitted students choose other options.
Baylor offers 125+ majors, with standout programs in nursing, biology, accounting, and entrepreneurship (ranked top 10 nationally by U.S. News). The curriculum blends liberal arts with professional preparation, anchored by a 15:1 student-faculty ratio and average class size of 26. Key academic traits:
Students describe the workload as "rigorous but supportive," with accessible professors who prioritize mentorship.
Life at Baylor revolves around tight-knit traditions and Texas-sized school spirit:
Campus is dry (no alcohol permitted) and residential (85% of undergrads live on campus for 2+ years). Waco offers limited off-campus entertainment, but students rave about Dr Pepper Hour (free soda Thursdays) and football gamedays at McLane Stadium. Safety is a noted strength, with Baylor’s police department ranked among Texas’s best.
Baylor delivers strong ROI, with 80% graduation rate (77% in 4 years) and 90%+ of grads employed or in grad school within 6 months. Key stats:
The Career Center tracks outcomes meticulously, with nursing and accounting grads often securing jobs at Texas Medical Center or Big Four firms pre-graduation.
Baylor’s sticker price is steep ($79,424 total cost), but 96% of students receive aid, bringing the average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. down significantly:
Note: Costs rise annually by ~3-5%, and aid packages often shrink after freshman year.
Baylor is uniquely Texan: a top-tier research university (R1 status) that feels like a close-knit Christian college, where students wear green-and-gold to chapel and cheer sic ’em bears at football games. Its blend of academic rigor (especially in health sciences) and old-school Southern charm appeals to students seeking a faith-based community without sacrificing career preparation. The Waco location—small enough to feel safe, big enough for internships—is a hidden perk, though the conservative culture isn’t for everyone.