Baylor vs. St. Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare Baylor University in Waco, TX with St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Baylor University is larger than St. Mary's University based on total student enrollment (20,626 students vs. 3,456 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Baylor University is located in Waco, TX (Midsize City setting); St. Mary's University is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• Baylor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Baylor University 15:1; St. Mary's University 11:1.

Baylor vs. St. Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Baylor or St. Mary's University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at St. Mary's University than Baylor ($20,412 vs. $47,001).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. Mary's University are 15.8% lower than at Baylor University ($12,894 vs. $15,314).
• Baylor University is 55.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Mary's University (about $20,666 more per year; $58,100.00 vs. $37,434.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.2% higher at Baylor than at St. Mary's University (about $20,666 more per year; $58,100.00 vs. $37,434.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Mary's University than at Baylor University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. Mary's University students is 0.9% larger than aid received by Baylor University students ($27,464 vs. $27,232).

Baylor vs. St. Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Baylor or St. Mary's University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between St. Mary's University and Baylor.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Baylor University (1300) is 190 points higher than at St. Mary's University (1110).
• Incoming Baylor students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 21 at St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Baylor University 1200/1400; St. Mary's University 900/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Baylor University 27/32; St. Mary's University 15/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Baylor - Test optional; St. Mary's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Baylor Feb 1, 2027; St. Mary's University Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Baylor students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at St. Mary's University (3.61).
• St. Mary's University has a higher acceptance rate (97.8%) than Baylor (51.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Baylor vs. 12.6% at St. Mary's University.

Baylor vs. St. Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Baylor and St. Mary's University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Baylor University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than St. Mary's University's (58%).
• Graduates from Baylor University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than St. Mary's University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Baylor University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's University graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Baylor graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Mary's University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Baylor graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.