Baptist research university in Texas, founded 1845, blending Christian values with R1 research excellence.
Baylor offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across 12 academic units, including the College of Arts & Sciences, Hankamer School of Business, Law School, Louise Herrington School of Nursing, School of Engineering & Computer Science, and George W. Truett Theological Seminary. The university is classified as an R1 research institution with nationally ranked graduate programs in business (54th), law (43rd), engineering (163rd), and education (114th). Notable departmental strengths include Physical Therapy (10th), Health Care Management (12th), and Nursing–Midwifery (22nd) according to U.S. News rankings.
The 1,000-acre campus in Waco sits on the banks of the Brazos River between Dallas–Fort Worth and Austin. Student body composition is 61% White, 16% Hispanic, 8% Asian, 5% Black, 6% Other, and 4% foreign nationals. Approximately 36% of students live in university housing. Greek life includes fraternities (14% of undergraduate men) and sororities (21% of undergraduate women) across four governing councils. In 2022, Baylor chartered an official LGBTQ organization called Prism. The university maintains strong traditions including the Baylor Line, Mass Meeting, and Homecoming.
Baylor admits students through multiple pathways including Regular Decision and Transfer admissions. The university welcomes students from all 50 states and approximately 89–90 foreign countries. Specific admission statistics and test score requirements are available through the Undergraduate Admissions office and the goBAYLOR portal.
Baylor maintains a $2.09 billion endowment (FY 2024) and operates with a budget of $995.8 million (FY 2026). The university is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and accredited by SACS. Graduate programs in English and Sociology have received recognition from the National Research Council for student support, outcomes, and job placement rates.