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Baylor University

Private

Waco, TX

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Baylor University is a private large school in Waco, TX, enrolling about 14,785 undergraduates. It's moderately selective, admitting about 51% of applicants. Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services graduates, especially in Computer Science, report the strongest earnings here: a median of $128,411/year. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.

Admissions

Admit rate51%
SAT range1200–1400
ACT range27–32
Undergrads14,785
Yield (admits who enroll)18%
Next deadlineNov 1, 2026 (ED1)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$74,226
4-year grad rate80%
Median earnings, 10yr out$65,793

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

Where do you stand against Baylor University's numbers?

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How Baylor University weighs your application

From Baylor University's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?

Academic factors
Rigor of secondary school recordImportant
Class rankConsidered
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresVery important
Application essayImportant
RecommendationsConsidered
Nonacademic factors
InterviewNot considered
Extracurricular activitiesConsidered
Talent/abilityConsidered
Character/personal qualitiesConsidered
First generationConsidered
Alumni relation (legacy)Considered
Geographical residenceConsidered
State residencyConsidered
Religious affiliationConsidered
Volunteer workConsidered
Work experienceConsidered
Level of interest (demonstrated interest)Considered
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Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans31%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out72%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

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

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity4,768
Typical room charge$7,340
Typical board charge$6,247

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsConsidered, not required

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What does Baylor University look for in applicants?

Per Baylor University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates standardized test scores, academic GPA as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.

What is Baylor University's acceptance rate?

Baylor University in Waco, TX admits approximately 51% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for Baylor University?

Admitted students at Baylor University typically score between 1200–1400 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for Baylor University?

Admitted students at Baylor University typically score between 27–32 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does Baylor University cost?

Baylor University's total cost of attendance is reported at $74,226 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for Baylor University?

Baylor University's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does Baylor University require students to live on campus?

No -- Baylor University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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