Baylor University Tuition and Fees

By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 08/2026)

Total Cost of Attendance

Located in Waco, Texas, Baylor University is known for its high-caliber education and Christian values. Baylor University’s flat tuition rate is $67,756 for the 2026/7 year. In comparison, the average tuition for four-year private nonprofit institutions is $45,000, according to the most recent data.

Financial Aid

More than 90% of Baylor students receive some sort of financial aid, including student loans, grants, or scholarships. Baylor is “need-aware,” which means the school may consider a student’s ability to pay in the application process.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books and supplies, and other living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, financial aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for a grant from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

38% of Baylor’s undergraduate students take out student loans, with 32% taking out federal student loans. The average loan, from private and federal sources, for the first year is $15,571.

Private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

The total costs of attending Baylor for four years would be $368,676, based on 2026-27 pricing. The average cost for private schools is $241,680 for four years, according to the most recent data from CollegeData.com.

Here’s some Texas Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

In 2026-27, first-year students paid $67,956 for Baylor tuition and $1,572 for books and supplies, for a total of $69,528. This is higher than the average amount of $44,640 for private four-year universities in the U.S.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Baylor offers a variety of graduate degrees. The standard cost of tuition for full-time graduate school in 2026-27 is $79,072, which is higher than the national average of $27,820 for one academic year. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs and additional personal expenses for school.

Cost per Credit Hour

Students that opt to attend Baylor for 11 hours or less per semester can pay $2,824 per credit hour rather than pay full-time tuition.

Campus Housing Expenses

First-year students at Baylor University are required to live on-campus in one of three options:

•  First-Year Communities where they can live and meet with other first-year students with different interests and majors

•  Living-Learning Centers, which are communities organized around specific academic programs

•  Residential Colleges, which are faculty-led communities focused on academic excellence

Students can also opt to live off-campus in apartments, duplexes, rooms, or houses. For information about off-campus housing options, this resource can help.

Baylor University Acceptance Rate

When it comes to the Baylor acceptance rate, more than half of all students who apply are accepted.

Admission Requirements

To get accepted to Baylor, there are certain requirements and some additional recommendations.

Required:

•  Secondary school record

•  Secondary school GPA

Recommended:

•  Completion of college-preparatory program

•  Letters of recommendation

•  Admission test scores

The deadline for Early Decision 1 and Early Action is November 1. Students committing to attending Baylor if accepted will receive a decision by December 15, and the Early Action applicants will receive a decision by February 1. The deadline for Regular Admission is February 1, with a decision by April 10. You can apply to Baylor here .

SAT and ACT Scores

Baylor University is a test-optional school, meaning that students are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores.

Here are the latest first-year student scores by subject at the 25th and 75th percentile:

Popular Majors at Baylor University

Baylor offers more than 125 majors and minors. The school also has a wealth of resources to help graduates find jobs. Here are the most popular majors on campus.

1. Pre-Business

In addition to learning about the economic, political, and social aspects of business, Baylor’s business administration graduates can develop their skills in areas such as communication, problem-solving, and data analytics through hands-on experience and scholarly exploration.

Undergraduate students in spring 2026: 1,384

2. Nursing

Students earning a degree in nursing have the opportunity to get firsthand experience at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, a renowned teaching and research hospital. The nursing program includes courses in anatomy and physiology, critical care, oncology, and more.

Undergraduate students in spring 2026: 1,014

3. Biology

If you opt for the biology program at Baylor, you can choose one of four concentrations: integrative biology, global health biology, science education, and cell and molecular biology.

Undergraduate students in spring 2026: 991

4. Communication

Baylor’s communication program has four tracks students can choose from: corporate communication, rhetoric and public discourse, generalist, and honors. Students will learn how to apply communication skills to a variety of professions.

Undergraduate students in spring 2026: 570

5. Finance

Finance-minded students have the opportunity to focus on corporate finance or investments and can take courses in investment analysis, advanced corporate finance, practicum in portfolio management, and financial modeling.

Undergraduate students in spring 2026: 506

6. Accounting

Accounting students at Baylor are given a strong base in financial accounting, then taught how to communicate, think critically, and work with a team. Courses cover auditing, tax planning, fraud, and international taxation.

Undergraduate students in spring 2026: 403

7. Political Science

By choosing Baylor’s political science program, you’ll learn about everything from American political history and institutions to global political change. You can also opt to take courses in minority and ethnic group politics, campaigns and elections, and urban political processes.

Undergraduate students in spring 2026: 377

8. Marketing

Marketing students learn how to promote, price, and place a product and can choose an emphasis in sports or strategy and sales. Alternatively, they can create their own marketing emphasis.

Undergraduate students in spring 2026: 311

9. Psychology

Students can earn either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Baylor. Coursework includes topics such as behavior, personality, interpersonal relationships, and the individual and collective unconscious.

Undergraduate students in spring 2026: 283

10. Mechanical Engineering

Baylor’s mechanical engineering students develop technical, communication, and teamwork skills. The program encourages problem-solving creativity and innovation. In addition to studying foundational mechanical engineering, students can take courses in mechanical vibrations, thermodynamics, composite materials, heat transfer, and biomechanics.

Undergraduate students in spring 2026: 230

Learn more about Baylor’s majors and minors here .

Graduation Rate

Wondering how many students graduate from Baylor? In 2025, the university’s four-year graduation rate was 77.3%, while the percentage of students who started in 2019 and graduated in six years was 82.2%.

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Upon graduating, 92% of Baylor students find jobs and earn on average $61,636 per year. This is on par with the national average starting salary for the class of 2025 of $68,680.