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

Discover Baylor: A historic R1 Baptist research university on the Brazos, chartered 1845.

Baylor University, a distinguished private Baptist research university, stands proudly in Waco, Texas, with a rich legacy dating back to its charter in 1845 by the Republic of Texas. Nestled on the banks of the Brazos River, its expansive 1,000-acre campus is not only the largest Baptist university worldwide but also classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity," signifying its commitment to groundbreaking scholarship.

From its very beginnings, Baylor has been a pioneer, notably becoming one of the first universities west of the Mississippi to offer instruction in law in 1849. This spirit of academic innovation continues today, with the university granting a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degrees. Students at Baylor experience a vibrant academic and spiritual community, upholding a chapel tradition that has been central to university life for over 160 years.

With a current enrollment exceeding 20,600 students, including nearly 15,000 undergraduates, Baylor offers a dynamic environment where students can thrive academically and personally. Its athletic teams, the Bears, compete fiercely in 19 intercollegiate sports within the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference, adding another dimension to the comprehensive student experience. Baylor's enduring motto, "Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana, Pro Mundo" — "For Church, For Texas, For the World" — encapsulates its dedication to service and global impact.

Key Highlights

✦Chartered on February 1, 1845, by the last Congress of the Republic of Texas.
✦The largest Baptist university in the world, classified as an R1: Doctoral University with "Very High Research Activity."
✦Home to 20,626 students (Fall 2024), including 14,915 undergraduates.
✦Operates on a 1,000-acre (400-hectare) campus along the Brazos River in Waco, Texas.
✦Boasts an endowment of $2.09 billion (FY 2024).
✦Motto: "Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana, Pro Mundo" (Latin for "For Church, For Texas, For the World").
✦Athletic teams, the Bears, compete in the NCAA Division I FBS Big 12 Conference.

Timeline

1841

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

1845

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

1849

Began teaching classes in the "science of law," making it the first in Texas to do so.

1851

Separated students by sex, creating the Baylor Female College as an independent institution.

1885

Amended its charter and moved to Waco, Texas, where it merged with Waco University.

1887

Began readmitting women, becoming coeducational again.

1903

Acquired the University of Dallas Medical Department, which became the Baylor College of Medicine.

1964

First admitted Black students to the university.

1969

Baylor College of Medicine became technically independent from Baylor University.

Schools & Colleges

1 notable schools within Baylor University

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Baylor College of Medicine

Acquired by Baylor University in 1903, this medical school later became technically independent in 1969, though strong academic and research links persist.

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