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#19 Best Private Colleges in Texas

HBU Admission Requirements

Houston, Texas

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Your chances of getting into Houston Baptist University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

84.5%
Admission Difficulty for Houston Baptist University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Moderate 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at HBU is 84.5%.  Its admission rate is the 37th lowest in Texas.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into HBU and can you get accepted?

Houston Baptist University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 8,666 out of the 10,258 who applied were admitted.

Houston Baptist University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.46. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 8% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into HBU?

84% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Houston Baptist University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.46 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1150 on the SAT
  • Score 24 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

HBU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.46

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Houston Baptist University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into HBU are to have around a 3.46 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.46 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as HBU accepts 84% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at HBU is 3.46 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #28 in Texas for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since HBU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.5 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Houston Baptist University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 3.24% Good
3.75 to 3.99 18.44% Good
3.50 to 3.74 29.8% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 24.63% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 12.83% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 10.32% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.74% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

HBU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Houston Baptist University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 21% of students submitted SAT scores and 3% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1060-1230

Applicants Submitting SAT 

21%
SAT Scores for Houston Baptist University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 530
Math 25th Percentile 530
Composite 25th Percentile 1060
SAT Scores for Houston Baptist University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 620
Math 75th Percentile 610
Composite 75th Percentile 1230
Average SAT Score 1150

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Houston Baptist University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at HBU is 1150 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1060-1230. Students who get into Houston Baptist University score in the top 49 percent of all SAT test takers..  HBU ranks #19 in the state of Texas for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1150 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. HBU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1060 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1060, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 970, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Houston Baptist University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1150 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1145, you have around a 84% chance of being admitted. A 1230 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 91% chance of getting in.

Houston Baptist University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1230 and Above Good >91%
1145 to 1230 Avg + 84%-91%
1060 to 1145 Avg - 73%-84%
975 to 1060 Reach 59%-73%
Less than 975 Low <59%
Calculate My Chances 

HBU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

22-26 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

3%
ACT Scores for Houston Baptist University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 20
Math 25th Percentile 19
Composite 25th Percentile 22
ACT Scores for Houston Baptist University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 28
Math 75th Percentile 24
Composite 75th Percentile 26
Average ACT Score 24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into HBU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to HBU is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 26.  The school ranks #16 in Texas for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 20.

3 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Houston Baptist University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Houston Baptist University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into HBU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 84% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 91% with a 26 ACT score.

Houston Baptist University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
26 and Above Good >91%
24 to 26 Avg + 84%-91%
22 to 24 Avg - 73%-84%
20 to 22 Reach 59%-73%
Less than 20 Low <59%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

51% of Houston Baptist University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 20% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Houston Baptist University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 20%
Top 25% of class 51%
Top 50% of class 82%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Houston Baptist University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 6,539 3,719 10,258
Accepted 5,668 2,998 8,666
Acceptance Rate 87% 81% 84%
Enrolled 445 287 732
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 8% 10% 8%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Houston Baptist University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Houston Baptist University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Houston Baptist University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Houston Baptist University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Houston Baptist University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.46 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1150 and ACT of 24 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Houston Baptist University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=225399 IPEDS survey data for Houston Baptist University.

FAQs

Does Houston Baptist University prefer SAT or ACT?

21% of students submit their SAT scores to HBU. 3% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Houston Baptist University?

84% of those who apply are granted admission to HBU. Admission competition is and the college has moderate admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Houston Baptist University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1060 and 1230. The average SAT score is 1145. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Houston Baptist University?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 22 and 26. The average ACT score is 24. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.