Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Baylor University #913 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,578 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Baylor University in the 38.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Median earnings four years after enrollment are $69,608, placing Baylor University in the 72.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Baylor University #913 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private university in Waco, TX, Baylor University enrolls roughly 14,785 undergraduates. Retention is 91.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 80.0%, placing the institution among the stronger performers nationally for converting enrollment into degree completion. Where Baylor University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Baylor University #442 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $69,608. They earn about $4,578 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Baylor University in the 38.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Baylor University enrolls 12.4% Pell-eligible students and 17.1% first-generation college students, reflecting a more selective admissions posture that limits the breadth of low-income enrollment. Azimuth ranks Baylor University in the 62.7 percentile for access and the 3.8 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's strength in Business and related fields drives the composite's return advantage, even as the selectivity constraint pulls down the access and affordability rankings relative to broader-access peers.
Baylor University's published cost of attendance is $74,226. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $22,024, middle-income families pay around $33,902, and higher-income families pay approximately $47,895. Azimuth ranks Baylor University #1371 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Baylor's aid structure combines need-based and merit-based scholarships. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and Baylor participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Merit scholarships are available for qualifying students and can substantially reduce the net price below the figures listed above, depending on academic and other credentials. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $50,786; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $69,608, median federal debt of $23,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $260 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Baylor University is a strong fit for students interested in Business and related fields who want a private university experience in TX, with outcomes that consistently outperform expectations. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $69,608, placing Baylor University in the 72.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $4,578 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 38.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a meaningful share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 12.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 17.1% are first-generation — while maintaining strong completion rates for these groups. Published cost of attendance is $74,226 with need-based aid available to close the gap for qualifying families. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 51.3% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business and related fields. Students whose interests align with these areas will find among the strongest outcomes in TX.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the Baylor University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Baylor University's published cost of attendance is $74,226. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $22,024, middle-income families pay around $33,902, and higher-income families pay approximately $47,895.
Azimuth ranks Baylor University #1371 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Baylor's aid structure combines need-based and merit-based scholarships. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and Baylor participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Merit scholarships are available for qualifying students and can substantially reduce the net price below the figures listed above, depending on academic and other credentials. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $23,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $50,786; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $69,608, median federal debt of $23,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $260 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Baylor University earn median 4-year earnings of $69,608, placing Baylor University in the 72.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Baylor University sits in the 38.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Baylor University #442 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Baylor University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 317 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $89,510, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Biology, General program graduates 246 students earning $57,155, and the The Digital Marketing program graduates 188 students earning $78,398.
Finance and Communication and Media Studies round out the top programs, with median 4-year earnings of $102,812 and $58,915 respectively. The dominance of Business — which represents 31% of degrees — combined with strength in Social Sciences (6%) and Arts (4%), positions Baylor University to deliver consistent long-term financial outcomes across its core degree portfolio.
Computer Science
18 graduates
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations
28 graduates
Business/Commerce, General
60 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
181 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
148 graduates
Baylor University's program mix is anchored in Business, which reflects the institution's professional and applied-focus identity. Nursing is the largest program with 317 graduates annually, followed by Biology, General, Digital Marketing, Finance, and Communication and Media Studies.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 3,661 students annually, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional and national labor markets. The earnings pattern reflects Baylor's strength in business and professional fields.
Finance leads with median earnings of $102,812 four years after enrollment across 181 graduates, followed by Accounting at $102,011 with 148 graduates and Management Information Systems and Services at $96,148. Nursing, the institution's largest program, generates median earnings of $89,510, demonstrating that scale and strong financial outcomes align at Baylor.
Biology, General and Digital Marketing similarly deliver solid four-year earnings of $57,155 and $78,398 respectively, with 246 and 188 graduates respectively. The program portfolio reflects Baylor's positioning as a private institution with emphasis on direct-to-workforce pathways in business, accounting, engineering, and health-related fields.
These programs typically support high-mobility careers where graduates enter the labor market directly and earnings reflect immediate professional outcomes. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Baylor's dominant program families align with national labor-market demand and wage growth trajectories across these applied-professional fields.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Criswell College Higher acceptance rate (48.7 percentage points higher) and located 88 miles away; similar median earnings four years after completion | TX | 100% | $66,210 | Compare |
Texas Christian University Same state (82 miles away) with similar earnings and similar program focus; same institution type | TX | 44% | $76,188 | Compare |
Texas Christian University Similar admission rate (6.8 percentage points difference) and similar test scores (31 point difference) with similar program focus; located 82 miles away | TX | 44% | $76,188 | Compare |
Bentley University 56% higher median earnings four years after completion with similar cost and similar program focus | MA | 45% | $108,577 | Compare |
University Of North Texas At Dallas 84.4% lower net price (earnings difference: 10.1%); located 79 miles away | TX | 84% | $62,574 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texas Christian University Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $76188 versus $69608; same region (Southwest) | TX | 44% | $76,188 | #557 |
Tulane University Of Louisiana Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $73816 versus $69608; same region (Southwest) | LA | 14% | $73,816 | #1014 | Compare |
Depaul University Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $73466 versus $69608 | IL | 76% | $73,466 | #282 | Compare |
Southern Methodist University Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $95051 versus $69608; same region (Southwest) | TX | 63% | $95,051 | #319 | Compare |
Loyola University Chicago Profile match using composite score, four-year earnings, enrollment and region; median earnings four years after completion: $73865 versus $69608 | IL | 82% | $73,865 | #536 | Compare |
