Baylor vs. SU

Baylor University and Southwestern University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Baylor University
Southwestern University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SU (43.1% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1220 vs 1300.
  • Cheaper after aid: SU. Average net price is $32,228 vs $47,001 at Baylor.
  • Graduation: Baylor 72% vs SU 73%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Baylor $56,200 vs SU $57,400 (median).
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Key differences

Baylor University Southwestern University
Acceptance rate
SU more selective
Baylor51.3%
SU43.1%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Baylor higher
Baylor1200-1400
SU1130-1300
Average net price
SU $14,773 less
Baylor$47,001
SU$32,228
In-state tuition
SU $4,287 less
Baylor$58,100
SU$53,813
Out-of-state tuition
SU $4,287 less
Baylor$58,100
SU$53,813
Graduation rate
SU +1 pts
Baylor72%
SU73%
Median earnings (10 years)
SU +$1,200
Baylor$56,200
SU$57,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Baylor 46,946
  • SU 6,313
  • Admitted
  • Baylor 24,075
  • SU 2,718
  • Acceptance rate
  • Baylor 51.3%
  • SU 43.1%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Baylor 14.2%
  • SU 13.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Baylor 1300
  • SU 1220
  • Typical ACT score
  • Baylor 29
  • SU 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Baylor 3.74
  • SU 3.5
  • Typical high school grades
  • Baylor A-
  • SU A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Baylor Very High
  • SU Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Baylor Low
  • SU Low
  • SAT range
  • Baylor 1200-1400
  • SU 1130-1300
  • ACT range
  • Baylor 27-32
  • SU 26-30
  • Submit test scores
  • Baylor Test optional
  • SU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Baylor Feb 1, 2027
  • SU Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Baylor $58,100
  • SU $53,813
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Baylor $58,100
  • SU $53,813
  • Room & board
  • Baylor $15,314
  • SU $15,072
  • Average net price
  • Baylor $47,001
  • SU $32,228
  • Average grant aid
  • Baylor $27,232
  • SU $35,162
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Baylor 98%
  • SU 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Baylor 72%
  • SU 73%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Baylor $56,200
  • SU $57,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Baylor 73%
  • SU 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Baylor $25,000
  • SU $26,893
  • Median loan payment
  • Baylor $258
  • SU $278
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Baylor 15:1
  • SU 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Baylor
    • Business (28%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • SU
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Business (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Education (8%)
  • Location
  • Baylor Waco, TX
  • SU Georgetown, TX
  • Setting
  • Baylor Midsize City
  • SU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Baylor 20,626
  • SU 1,440
  • Type
  • Baylor Private 4 Year
  • SU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Baylor #167
  • SU #196

Comparable Facts

Compare Baylor University in Waco, TX with Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Baylor University is larger than SU based on total student enrollment (20,626 students vs. 1,440 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Baylor University is located in Waco, TX (Midsize City setting); Southwestern University is in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting).
  • Baylor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Baylor University 15:1; Southwestern University 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern University are 1.6% lower than at Baylor University ($15,072 vs. $15,314).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 8% higher at Baylor than at Southwestern University (about $4,287 more per year; $58,100 vs. $53,813).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern University than at Baylor University (99% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 29.1% larger than aid received by Baylor University students ($35,162 vs. $27,232).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Baylor than at SU (29 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Baylor and SU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Baylor Feb 1, 2027; SU Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Baylor average a 3.74 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at SU (3.5).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Baylor vs. 13.8% at SU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Baylor University graduates have a $1,893 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,893).
  • Among borrowers, Baylor graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($258 vs. $278).
  • More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Baylor students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 73%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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