Overview of Baylor University
Baylor University is a private Christian institution with an acceptance rate of 40%. Baylor has an Early Decision program that gives a competitive edge to students who have the university at the top of their list. Situated in Waco, Texas, the university has over 140-degree options and 330 student organizations. The school’s many pre-professional degree options, including pre-med and pre-law. The institution a 14-to-1 student/faculty ratio and a mean class size of 26.
Enrollment
- Total Enrollment: 17,217 (14,188 undergraduates)
- Gender Breakdown: 40 percent male/60 percent female
- 99 percent full-time
Cost of Attendance Information
- Tuition and Fees: $47,364
- Books: $1,264
- Room and Board: $13,842
- Other Expenses: $3,260
- Total Cost: $65,730
Financial Aid Information
- Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 97 percent
- Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
- Grants: 96 percent
- Loans: 47 percent
- Average Amount of Aid
- Grants: $22,356
- Loans: $6,822
Academic Programs Offered
- Most Popular Majors: Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; Accounting; Marketing/Marketing Management, General; and Mechanical Engineering
Retention and Graduation
- First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 89 percent
- 4-Year Graduation Rate: 63 percent
- 6-Year Graduation Rate: 79 percent
NCAA Athletic Programs
- Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Tennis, Track and Field
- Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Equestrian, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Acrobatics, Tumbling
Overview of Baylor University Admissions
Baylor University boasts selective admissions, with approximately one-half of applicants admitted. Accepted students tend to have over mean grades and standardized test scores. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Half of the students submit SAT scores while half submit ACT scores. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load.
The essential piece of a Baylor application is a student’s academic record. The institution will be looking at more than grades; the school is also interested in the rigor of your high school classes. They look for applicants who have taken college-prep courses such as Advanced Placement, IB, and Honors. Students with high grades in difficult classes will have an edge over students who didn’t challenge themselves in high school.
Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the next steps of the application process. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.
Admissions Data
During the 2018-19 admissions phase, Baylor University had an acceptance rate of 40%. for every 100 students who provided applications, 40 students gained admission, making Baylor’s admissions process competitive.
SAT Requirements and Scores
Baylor wants all applicants to submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 46% of admitted students provided SAT scores.
This admissions data reveals that most of Baylor’s admitted students score within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the reading and writing part, 50% of students admitted to Baylor scored between 600 and 680, while 25% scored below 600, and 25% scored over 680. On the math part, 50% of admitted students scored between 590 and 690, while 25% scored below 590, and 25% scored over 690. Applicants with an overall SAT score of 1370 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Baylor.
ACT Requirements and Scores
Baylor wants all applicants to submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 54% of admitted students provided ACT scores.
This admissions data reveals that most of Baylor’s admitted students score within the top 18% nationally on the ACT. 50% of students admitted to Baylor received an overall ACT score between 26 and 31, while 25% scored over 31, and 25% scored below 26.
Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission
If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Baylor University, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Baylor University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.
Auburn University, Temple University, Seton Hall University, Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of Alabama, University of North Texas
Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission
If you’re a competitive candidate for Baylor University, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.
Syracuse University, Drexel University, University of California, Davis, Chapman University, University of Cincinnati, University of Denver, Penn State University Park
Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge
These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Baylor University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.
University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Texas at Austin, University of Washington, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Stony Brook University, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Connecticut
Applying to Baylor University
Application Deadline: February 15
Undergraduate Admissions Website: https://www.baylor.edu/admissions/index.php?id=872011
Undergraduate Application Link(s): https://www.baylor.edu/gobaylor/
Graduate Admissions Website: https://www.baylor.edu/graduate/index.php?id=958441
Graduate Application Link(s): https://www.baylor.edu/graduate/index.php?id=967133
