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Baylor University

Baylor University is a private campus in Waco proper — federal locale codes class it as urban. The school reports a Baptist affiliation in its federal filings.

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What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23

family-income band

$30,674

family income
under $30k

$30,348

$30–48k

$32,236

$48–75k

$37,708

$75–110k

$47,442

over $110k

These figures don't always rise with income — aid formulas can make a higher bracket cheaper.

Average net price

$41,1042023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

Average net price at Baylor University rose from $24,174 (2008) to $41,104 (2023).

Average net price — data
Year	Net price
2008	$24,174
2009	$24,982
2010	$25,603
2011	$26,965
2012	$32,333
2013	$32,741
2014	$32,657
2015	$33,477
2016	$34,898
2017	$32,601
2018	$36,039
2019	$37,309
2020	$37,248
2021	$37,911
2022	$41,942
2023	$41,104

IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$74,2262024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

Total cost at Baylor University rose from $39,276 (2009) to $74,226 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
Year	Cost
2009	$39,276
2010	$41,321
2011	$43,495
2012	$45,011
2013	$51,086
2014	$53,797
2015	$53,892
2016	$56,701
2017	$59,063
2018	$60,619
2019	$62,913
2020	$65,222
2021	$67,495
2022	$68,535
2023	$70,130
2024	$74,226

IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition & fees

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

Tuition & fees — data
Year	Tuition & fees
2000	$11,990
2001	$12,804
2002	$17,214
2003	$18,500
2004	$19,880
2005	$21,225
2006	$22,869
2007	$24,645
2008	$26,239
2013	$35,972
2014	$38,120
2015	$40,198
2016	$42,006
2017	$43,790
2018	$45,542
2019	$47,364
2020	$49,246
2021	$50,232
2022	$51,738
2023	$54,844

IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)

Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Baylor University reports published tuition of $58,100 in this record. Baylor University's $58,100 tuition excludes other attendance costs; aid can reduce the bill. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

Baylor University reports 14,785 undergraduate students. Enrollment is a headcount, not a measure of teaching access.

80% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Baylor University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart

80%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

The six-year graduation rate at Baylor University rose from 69.9% (entered 1991) to 80% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
Year	Graduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort	69.9%
1992 cohort	67%
1993 cohort	67.1%
1994 cohort	66.6%
1995 cohort	70.9%
1996 cohort	72.1%
1997 cohort	70.3%
1998 cohort	71.9%
1999 cohort	72.2%
2000 cohort	74.2%
2001 cohort	71.7%
2002 cohort	72.7%
2003 cohort	70.3%
2004 cohort	71.1%
2005 cohort	71.7%
2006 cohort	74.6%
2007 cohort	74.7%
2008 cohort	72.2%
2009 cohort	70.4%
2010 cohort	74%
2011 cohort	76.6%
2012 cohort	79.1%
2013 cohort	78.2%
2014 cohort	79.3%
2015 cohort	81.6%
2016 cohort	81.4%
2017 cohort	80.2%
2018 cohort	80%

IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups

key chart

Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
Year	Completed	Left without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)	$17,125	$11,270
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)	$17,125	$11,247
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)	$16,538	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)	$16,375	$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)	$16,399	$3,938
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)	$16,250	$3,938
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)	$16,335	$4,201
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)	$16,250	$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)	$16,250	$3,938
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)	$16,450	$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)	$16,500	$5,250
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)	$17,125	$8,000
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)	$18,250	$12,625
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)	$21,250	$12,000
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)	$23,000	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)	$24,946	$5,750
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)	$25,000	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)	$25,000	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)	$25,000	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)	$24,000	$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)	$24,250	$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)	$24,225	$6,500
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)	$23,550	$7,000
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)	$23,000	$8,000

NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15

$56,532

6 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13

$61,504

8 years after entry

Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11

$65,793

10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Baylor University admitted 24,075 of 46,946 applicants in Fall 2024. The 51.3% rate describes that application pool.

51.3%

acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle

rate trend $54,844 tuition · 2023–24 14,785 undergraduates · Fall 2024

Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024

400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1200–14001600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

Baylor University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Baylor University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 610–700 and Math was 590–700 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1200–1400 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score	25th	50th	75th
SAT Reading & Writing	610	650	700
SAT Math	590	650	700
ACT Composite	27	30	32

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Baylor University received 46,946 applications and admitted 24,075 (51.3%), with 3,427 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

51.3%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

Read Baylor University's change from 79.3% to 51.3% as a share of applications, not an explanation of admissions decisions. This describes Fall 2001 to Fall 2024.

Acceptance rate — data
Year	Acceptance rate
Fall 2001	79.3%
Fall 2002	81.1%
Fall 2003	82.2%
Fall 2004	72.6%
Fall 2005	65.7%
Fall 2006	42.5%
Fall 2007	44%
Fall 2008	51.3%
Fall 2009	49.9%
Fall 2010	47.8%
Fall 2011	39.7%
Fall 2012	60.7%
Fall 2013	57.5%
Fall 2014	55.4%
Fall 2015	43.7%
Fall 2016	39.7%
Fall 2017	39%
Fall 2018	39%
Fall 2019	45.3%
Fall 2020	68.5%
Fall 2021	56.7%
Fall 2022	45.9%
Fall 2023	51%
Fall 2024	51.3%

IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1200–1400Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2001	1070	1280
Fall 2002	1080	1280
Fall 2003	1040	1250
Fall 2004	1080	1290
Fall 2005	1090	1310
Fall 2006	1100	1310
Fall 2007	1110	1310
Fall 2008	1100	1310
Fall 2009	1080	1290
Fall 2010	1110	1320
Fall 2011	1130	1340
Fall 2012	1120	1330
Fall 2013	1120	1330
Fall 2014	1130	1330
Fall 2015	1140	1320
Fall 2016	1120	1310
Fall 2017	1190	1360
Fall 2018	1190	1370
Fall 2019	1200	1380
Fall 2021	1160	1350
Fall 2022	1230	1410
Fall 2023	1210	1400
Fall 2024	1200	1400

IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

27–32Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

ACT middle 50% — data
Year	25th	75th
Fall 2003	22	27
Fall 2004	22	27
Fall 2005	22	27
Fall 2006	23	28
Fall 2007	23	28
Fall 2008	23	28
Fall 2009	23	29
Fall 2010	24	29
Fall 2011	24	29
Fall 2012	24	29
Fall 2013	24	29
Fall 2014	24	30
Fall 2015	25	30
Fall 2016	26	30
Fall 2017	26	31
Fall 2018	26	31
Fall 2019	26	32
Fall 2021	25	32
Fall 2022	28	33
Fall 2023	27	32
Fall 2024	27	32

IPEDS Fall 2003–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

14,785Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

Undergraduate enrollment at Baylor University rose from 11,880 (Fall 2002) to 14,785 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
Year	Undergraduates
Fall 2002	11,880
Fall 2003	11,685
Fall 2004	11,521
Fall 2005	11,751
Fall 2006	11,803
Fall 2007	11,870
Fall 2008	12,105
Fall 2009	12,101
Fall 2010	12,376
Fall 2011	12,518
Fall 2012	12,820
Fall 2013	13,221
Fall 2014	13,801
Fall 2015	14,139
Fall 2016	14,309
Fall 2017	14,284
Fall 2018	14,159
Fall 2019	13,948
Fall 2020	14,329
Fall 2021	15,102
Fall 2022	15,134
Fall 2023	15,007
Fall 2024	14,785

IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

91%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

First-year retention at Baylor University has held near 91% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
Year	Retention
Fall 2002 cohort	84%
Fall 2003 cohort	82%
Fall 2004 cohort	82%
Fall 2005 cohort	84%
Fall 2006 cohort	86%
Fall 2007 cohort	86%
Fall 2008 cohort	84%
Fall 2009 cohort	82%
Fall 2010 cohort	85%
Fall 2011 cohort	87%
Fall 2012 cohort	88%
Fall 2013 cohort	89%
Fall 2014 cohort	89%
Fall 2015 cohort	89%
Fall 2016 cohort	90%
Fall 2017 cohort	89%
Fall 2018 cohort	88%
Fall 2019 cohort	91%
Fall 2020 cohort	88%
Fall 2021 cohort	90%
Fall 2022 cohort	91%
Fall 2023 cohort	91%

IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023

More about Baylor University

Faculty pay at Baylor University averages $143,976 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes Baylor University as a primarily residential campus of 14,785 undergraduates — and 91% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Baylor University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1200–1400 — their midpoint is above the TX four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Baylor University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”

key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Baylor University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Baylor University51.3%

Texas median84.5%

National median76.8%

Tuition

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Baylor University$58,100

Texas median$13,498

National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Baylor University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Baylor University$65,793

Texas median$54,132

National median$53,781

View comparison data & dates

Baylor University, Texas and national reference values
Metric & basis	Baylor University	Texas median	National median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS	51.3%	84.5%	76.8%
TuitionScorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid	$58,100	$13,498	$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot	$65,793	$54,132	$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Baylor University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Baylor University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 49 fields & earnings

Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)	Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer Science	$128,411
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations	$125,167
Business/Commerce, General	$124,434
Finance and Financial Management Services	$102,812
Accounting and Related Services	$102,011
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering	$100,110
Management Information Systems and Services	$96,148
Real Estate	$94,027
Mechanical Engineering	$92,990
Mathematics	$89,618
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	$89,510
Human Resources Management and Services	$89,102
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations	$86,363
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$85,961
Business/Managerial Economics	$84,808
Engineering, General	$84,689
Marketing	$78,398
International Business	$71,071
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs	$68,460
International Relations and National Security Studies	$67,484
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations	$67,066
Chemistry	$65,293
Psychology, General	$65,090
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services	$63,909
Journalism	$63,622
Design and Applied Arts	$63,522
Political Science and Government	$61,578
Natural Resources Conservation and Research	$59,701
Communication and Media Studies	$58,915
Social Work	$58,293
Sociology	$57,822
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas	$57,434
Biology, General	$57,155
History	$57,006
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	$56,476
English Language and Literature, General	$54,367
Neurobiology and Neurosciences	$53,927
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General	$51,727
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness	$51,273
Anthropology	$50,699
Fine and Studio Arts	$50,253
Religion/Religious Studies	$50,002
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology	$49,661
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services	$46,979
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication	$46,043
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft	$45,706
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services	$45,554
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other	$44,995
Music	$40,017

These 49 fields listed for Baylor University measure earnings after completion. The $65,793 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 31 additional Baylor University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Baylor University report?

Baylor University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1200–1400 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Baylor University's acceptance rate?

51.3% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 24,075 admitted from 46,946 applicants.

How much does Baylor University cost?

At Baylor University, tuition is $58,100. Tuition is not the total cost of attendance; aid can reduce your bill.

What earnings data does Baylor University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $65,793. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Texas

Austin College — 47.7% admitted
University of Dallas — 53.4% admitted
East Texas Baptist University — 57.8% admitted
Hallmark University — 51.3% admitted

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.