Baylor University
- 8/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Waco, TX
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4.2 14 reviews
Overview
Total enrollment
20,626- Location Waco, Texas
- Website baylor.edu
- Type Private 4 Year
- Setting Midsize City
- Religious Affiliation Baptist
Best Colleges Rank
#167- Size Large
- Status Non-profit
- Housing Yes
- Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
Baylor University, located in Waco, Texas, along the Brazos River, sits on a 1,000-acre campus approximately halfway between Dallas and Austin. Founded in 1845 as a Baptist institution, Baylor stands as the oldest continuously operating university in Texas, characterized by its Georgian-style architecture and distinct red-brick buildings. The private research university maintains selective admission standards and offers comprehensive academic programs, with particularly strong offerings in business, nursing, engineering, and pre-medical studies. Baylor operates as a residential campus where most undergraduate students live in university housing for at least part of their academic career, and the university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Big 12 Conference, with notable success in basketball and football programs. Students have access to more than 125 undergraduate programs across 12 academic divisions, including the nationally recognized Hankamer School of Business and Louise Herrington School of Nursing.
Ratings
Baylor is rated within the top 28% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 8 out of 10.
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Overall Rating8 out of 10
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Academics9 out of 10
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Resources7 out of 10
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Outcomes8 out of 10
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Value4 out of 10
Rankings
Rankings for Baylor University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
Admissions
Admission Standards
- SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1200/1400
- ACT (enrolled mid-50) 27/32
Acceptance Rate
- Applications Due Feb 1, 2027
- Enrollment Rate 14.2%
- Application Fee $0
Applicant Competition Average
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
$58,100Student Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
Popular majors at Baylor University are Business, Health Professions, and Biology. 28% of students major in Business, 10% in Health Professions, and 10% in Biology.
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Business 28%
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Health Professions 10%
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Biology 10%
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Communication 8%
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Social Sciences 7%
More Colleges to Consider
Students considering Baylor University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=223232.
GPA calculator: Baylor University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026