Baylor University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Waco, Texas · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2025-2026
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Baylor University is a private nonprofit university in Waco, Texas that admits about 52% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $41,104 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Biology, General and Marketing, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 82% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 4.3 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Baylor University is a private institution located in Waco, Texas with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Baylor University admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 52%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1280 and an ACT composite around 29. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $41,104 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Baylor University?
Baylor University admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.
What does Baylor University weight in admissions?
Baylor University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Academic GPA
- • Standardized test scores
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Application essay
SAT and ACT scores Baylor University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 590–700, with an EBRW midpoint near 625. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 27–32. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1190 |
| 50th percentile | 1280 |
| 75th percentile | 1370 |
| % submitting SAT | 47% |
| 25th percentile | 26 |
| 50th percentile | 29 |
| 75th percentile | 32 |
| % submitting ACT | 22% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 42% |
| Top 25% of class | 76% |
| Top 50% of class | 95% |
| % submitting class rank | 49% |
How much does Baylor University actually cost?
Published tuition is $58,100 for in-state students and $58,100 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,314 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $41,104 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 12% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $67,756 |
| Room and board | $17,222 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $41,104 |
| Application fee | — |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Baylor University
| Regular deadline | 2/1 |
| Notification date | Rolling; by 4/10 for 2/1 applicants |
| Reply deadline | 5/1 or within 2 weeks if notified thereafter |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| ED acceptance rate | 80% |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from Baylor University?
These predict outcomes at Baylor University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Baylor University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Baylor University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Biology, General and Marketing. Across all programs, Baylor University confers roughly 1,568 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program report a median income of about $81,389 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 317 | $81,389 |
| Biology, General | 246 | $63,803 |
| Marketing | 188 | $72,410 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 181 | $98,333 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 176 | $64,645 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 157 | $77,023 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | 155 | $65,917 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 148 | $94,352 |
Is Baylor University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Baylor University disclosed 63 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 4.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 15 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Baylor University?
About 34% of undergraduates at Baylor University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Texas parents ask about
- Texas Christian University44% acceptance
- University of Houston74% acceptance
- Texas State University89% acceptance
- University of North Texas72% acceptance
- Texas Tech University73% acceptance
- University of Texas at Arlington80% acceptance
- University of Texas at Dallas65% acceptance
- University of Texas at San Antonio87% acceptance
Next steps for Baylor University
Common questions parents ask about Baylor University
What GPA do I need for Baylor University?
Baylor University admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.
What SAT or ACT score does Baylor University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 590–700, with an EBRW midpoint near 625. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 27–32.
How much does Baylor University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Baylor University after grants and scholarships is $41,104 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $58,100. Budget against the net figure.
Is Baylor University realistic for my child?
Baylor University admits 52% of applicants, so 590–700 SAT Math is target range and below 590 is a reach. Then check the $41,104 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Baylor University?
Baylor University accepts about 52% of applicants out of roughly 44,924 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is Baylor University test-optional?
Yes. Baylor University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Baylor University?
About 82% of students at Baylor University graduate within six years. 89% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Baylor University?
Baylor University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 80%, compared with its overall rate of 52%. Applying ED can meaningfully improve admission odds, but it is a binding commitment to enroll if accepted.
What does Baylor University look for in applicants?
Baylor University rates GPA and test scores as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Baylor University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Baylor University is a private nonprofit institution located in Waco, Texas.
What are the most popular majors at Baylor University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Baylor University by annual graduates are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing, Biology, General and Marketing. The school awards about 1,568 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Baylor University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Baylor University reported 63 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 4.3 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Baylor University?
At Baylor University, 34% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Baylor University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers