Baylor University

Waco, TX

private nonprofitgraduate

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Quick Facts

15,007

Total Students

$55K

Tuition (In-State)

$55K

Tuition (Out-State)

$42K

Avg Net Price

51%

Acceptance Rate

80%

Graduation Rate

6-year

91%

Retention Rate

Doctoral Universities

Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Baylor University

Baylor University: A pioneering Baptist research institution steeped in Texas history.

Nestled on the banks of the Brazos River in Waco, Texas, Baylor University stands as a prominent private Baptist research institution with a rich history dating back to 1845. Chartered by the last Congress of the Republic of Texas, it holds the distinction of being the largest Baptist university in the world, offering a vibrant academic environment for over 20,000 students across undergraduate and graduate programs.

Baylor is recognized for its commitment to high-level research, earning the prestigious "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity" classification. Its historical significance is profound, having been the first university in Texas and the second west of the Mississippi to teach law. The university embraces a strong sense of tradition, including a chapel experience that has been integral to student life for over 160 years, fostering a supportive community for its diverse student body.

Prospective students will find a dynamic campus experience, from engaging academics across a wide array of disciplines to a spirited collegiate atmosphere. Baylor's athletic teams, the Bears, compete in 19 intercollegiate sports as part of the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference, providing thrilling opportunities for student involvement and school pride. With its 1,000-acre campus, rich heritage, and forward-looking research endeavors, Baylor offers a unique blend of tradition, faith, and academic excellence.

Key Highlights

✦Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas, making it the oldest continuously operating university in Texas.
✦Recognized as an "R1: Doctoral University – Very High Research Activity" institution.
✦The largest Baptist university in the world, situated on a 1,000-acre campus.
✦First university in Texas and second west of the Mississippi to offer instruction in law, beginning in 1849.
✦Boasts an endowment of $2.09 billion (FY 2024) and a total student enrollment of 20,626 (fall 2024).
✦Its athletic teams, the Bears, compete in NCAA Division I FBS as a member of the Big 12 Conference.

Timeline

1841

Delegates to the Union Baptist Association meeting vote to establish a Baptist university in Texas.

1845

Officially established when Republic President Anson Jones signs the Act of Congress on February 1.

1849

Begins teaching the "science of law," becoming the first in Texas and second west of the Mississippi to do so.

1851

Baylor University becomes an all-male institution after the separation of the Baylor Female College.

1885

Amends its charter and moves to Waco, Texas, where it is absorbed into Waco University and becomes coeducational again.

1903

Acquires the medical school that becomes known as the Baylor College of Medicine.

1964

First admits Black students to the university.

2015

Pepper Hamilton report finds failures in Baylor's handling of sexual assaults, leading to administrative changes.

2021

Releases an independent historical report acknowledging past slave ownership and support for the Confederacy by founders.

2023

President requests and receives acknowledgement of a formal Title IX exemption related to the discrimination and harassment of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Schools & Colleges

2 notable schools within Baylor University

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Baylor College of Medicine

Acquired by Baylor University in 1903 and became technically independent in 1969, but maintains strong links and shared research efforts.

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Baylor Law (implied)

Baylor was the first in Texas and second university west of the Mississippi to teach law, starting in 1849.

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