Wayland Baptist University

Wayland’s academic offerings skew toward practical, career-ready programs, with business administration (32% of majors) and criminal justice (11%) dominating. The university touts a liberal arts core but shines in applied fields: a Bachelor of Applied Science lets students convert vocational credits into degrees, and new 2025 programs like a BBA in Marketing cater to job-market demands. With 65 graduate programs and one doctoral option, Wayland serves working adults—but its lack of STEM prominence (just 3% of undergrads study biology) and a thin 19% six-year graduation rate suggest academic support may be uneven.

This is a commuter campus with a church-camp vibe: 47% of students live off-site, and the Instagram-ready “vibrant city of San Antonio” tagline is misleading (the main campus is in rural Plainview). What it lacks in Greek life or big sports culture, it makes up for with mentorship-heavy faculty—humanities professors are praised for “fostering intellectual growth” with small classes. Niche reviews call the community “close-knit,” but the 53% on-campus housing rate reflects limited dorm space. Don’t expect tailgates; do expect Bible studies and service projects.

Wayland’s 19% six-year graduation rate (per Research.com) lands it in the bottom 5% nationally, though it aims for 32%. Pell Grant recipients fare slightly better (14%). Alumni earn $36,427 median income one year post-graduation—below the national average but plausible for West Texas. The low completion rates hint at challenges serving non-traditional students; the school’s own goal of retaining 54% of freshmen suggests it knows attrition is a struggle. For context: only 21% graduate in six years, per U.S. News, making persistence the exception, not the norm.

At $20,222 net price (after aid), Wayland undercuts many private schools, with 81.5% of students receiving financial aid averaging $17,658. The net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator hints at flexibility for working adults, breaking costs into monthly payments. Scholarships and grants are emphasized over loans, but the aid packages likely include federal options—the FAFSA is mandatory. One red flag: the graduation rate suggests many may take on debt without degrees. For context, the median alumni income ($36k) is only 1.8x the net price.

Wayland is unapologetically niche: a low-cost, faith-based option where students can cobble together vocational credits into a degree (via the Applied Science program) or earn a marketable BBA without cutthroat competition. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio means mentorship is real, not rhetorical—but the trade-off is a no-frills campus and grim graduation stats. Ideal for: devout Texans seeking career-focused degrees, adult learners with prior credits, or those who’d flounder at a giant state school. Not for: STEM aspirants, party-seekers, or anyone allergic to small-town life.