Baylor University
- Graduation Rate
- 80% A-
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $65,793 A
- Top 10% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $41,104 F
- 140% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 51% B+
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 9.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $9.6 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $9.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,413,306.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 61% more than the national college median.
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A 80% graduation rate — 40% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $9.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.4%
- Top 58%
- Patents
- 48
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 87
- Downstream influence
Why Baylor University Matters
Baylor University is a private research university in Waco, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 10% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 14,785
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 54
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Biology & Biomedical, Communications
Why students choose Baylor University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 51% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1200–1400. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $41,104 a year after grants and scholarships — 140% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $65,793 ten years after enrolling — 61% above the typical college, against $23,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 55% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.67 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With nearly 15,000 students, Baylor University in Waco, Texas, is a solid choice for those seeking a well-rounded education in a private setting. The school has a 51% acceptance rate and a graduation rate of 80%, which speaks to its supportive environment. Students here often dive deep into programs such as Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Communications, and Social Sciences, allowing them to explore diverse career paths.
After graduation, Baylor alumni can expect a promising financial outlook with median earnings of about $65,793 after ten years. This figure illustrates the potential return on investment for students who navigate their studies well. While the net price of attending is around $41,104, it's important to consider that a significant portion of students benefit from financial aid, which can help ease the burden of tuition costs.
In terms of financial realities, graduates leave with a median debt of $23,000. This manageable debt level tends to be less intimidating for students who are proactive about their finances and career planning. Baylor appeals to those who are not only academically inclined but also value a community-oriented environment that fosters personal growth and professional development.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Baylor University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Baylor University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Baylor University, located in Waco, Texas, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 51% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,329. The graduation rate is roughly 80%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 51%
- Retention Rate
- 91%
- SAT Average
- 1329
- ACT Midpoint
- 29
- SAT Range
- 1200–1400
- ACT Range
- 27–32
- Full-Time Faculty
- 67%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,998
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.60
- First-Gen Students
- 17%
- Applicants
- 40,753
- Admitted
- 18,699
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Baylor University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Baylor University is $58,100, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $41,104. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,024 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $58,100
- Out-of-State
- $58,100
- Avg Net Price
- $41,104
- Median Debt
- $23,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 12%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 31%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $22,024
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $21,530
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $33,902
- Family Income $110K+
- $47,895
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Baylor University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Baylor University earn a median of $65,793, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $56,532
- 8 Years
- $61,504
- 10 Years
- $65,793
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.35x
- Earning > $25K
- 76%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (2,302)
- 64%
- 100% (2,302)
- 64%
- 100% (2,302)
- 64%
- 100% (2,302)
- 64%
How Baylor Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Baylor University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Baylor University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $41,104/year ($164,416 total). Graduates earn $65,793 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,577,722 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,413,306 (9.6× your investment). The median debt is $23,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 80% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $164,416
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,577,722
- Net Return
- $1,413,306
- ROI Multiple
- 9.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $41,104
- Median Debt
- $23,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 80%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Baylor University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Baylor University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.37%, well above the typical college. About 4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 34.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $132,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.37%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 34.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 4.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $132,400
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Baylor University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 48 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.37%
- Top 58% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 48
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 87
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.40%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Baylor University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 24%
- Health Professions 20%
- Biology & Biomedical 10%
- Communications 8%
- Social Sciences 6%
- Psychology 4%
- Visual & Performing Arts 4%
- Engineering 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Baylor University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Baylor University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Baylor University, located in Waco, Texas, offers a realistic path to admission, with roughly 51% of applicants receiving an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,329. The graduation rate is roughly 80%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Baylor University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Baylor University is $58,100, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $41,104. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $22,024 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $23,000 in federal student loans.
Is Baylor University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Baylor University earn a median of $65,793, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Baylor University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Baylor University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.37%, well above the typical college. About 4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 34.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $132,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Baylor University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Baylor University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.67, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.05). Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Baylor University.
- University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA · Close peer85% grad $66,125 earn 58% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth, TX · Close peer86% grad $68,424 earn 44% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY · Close peer82% grad $79,164 earn 46% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL · Close peer81% grad $65,337 earn 46% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Chapman UniversityOrange, CA · Close peer81% grad $70,070 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT · Close peer84% grad $73,997 earn 52% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Baylor University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Baylor University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.67, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.05). Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note