Overview
Enrollment
Located in Plainview, Texas, approximately 45 miles north of Lubbock in the Texas Panhandle, Wayland Baptist University is a private Baptist institution established in 1908. The main campus occupies 80 acres featuring a mix of historic and modern buildings in a traditional collegiate setting, with most academic facilities centered around a quad-style layout. As the oldest university in continuous operation on the High Plains of Texas, Wayland Baptist maintains its religious affiliation while offering undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple disciplines, with notable strengths in education, business, and religious studies. The university accommodates both residential and commuter students, with several dormitory options available on campus, and competes in the NAIA Sooner Athletic Conference, where its track and field program has earned particular recognition with multiple national championships.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Wayland Baptist University is rated within the top 48% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Wayland Baptist University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#539 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#374 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#20 in Best Colleges in Texas
#14 in Best Private Colleges in Texas
#489 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#19 in Best Value Colleges in Texas
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 900/1090 |
| ACT | 16/23 |
| GPA | 3.14 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Aug 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Average |
| Application Fee | $35 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $780 |
| Other Fees | $1,458 |
| Room and Board | $9,356 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,300 |
| Total One Year Cost | $36,622 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 40% |
| Business | 35% |
| Human Services | 7% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 5% |
| Education | 4% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Wayland Baptist University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=229780 IPEDS survey data for Wayland Baptist University.
Current students may use the Wayland Baptist University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025