How religious is Baylor University?

Baylor University is a private Christian university with strong Baptist roots, deeply integrating faith into campus life through required religion courses, chapel services, and resident chaplains, but it is also diverse, welcoming students of many faiths (or none) and not requiring a statement of faith for admission. While Christian traditions are prominent, with around 90% of students identifying as Christian (though this is decreasing) and a significant Catholic presence growing, students find varying levels of religious engagement, with some finding it easy to navigate a religious environment and others feeling challenged.

Is Baylor LGBTQ friendly?

Important to remember that Baylor is a Baptist institution and is fundamentally opposed to gay marriage. There is not nor will there ever be a sponsored on campus gay club or anything like that. There are unofficial ones though and people will still be nice.

Does Baylor accept Muslims?

Yes. Students are not required to sign any statement of faith to be accepted to or to attend Baylor. In fact, our students come from 50 U.S. states and more than 100 foreign countries, and that diversity means a variety of backgrounds, cultures and beliefs.

What percent of Baylor is Catholic?

According to the Office of Institutional Research's 2024 Fall Facts report, 17.4 percent of Baylor's 2024 student population is Baptist, down from 26.5 percent in the 2018 report. At the same time, the number of Catholics attending the University has climbed to almost 17 percent.

Is Baylor University a Catholic school?

Baylor University in Waco, Texas, is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas.

Department of Religion

What is Trump's religious affiliation?

Donald Trump identifies as a Christian, though he has shifted his specific denomination, moving from his upbringing as a Presbyterian to later identifying as a nondenominational Christian, strongly influenced by "positive thinking" and charismatic Christianity from mentors like Norman Vincent Peale. He's known for his strong support among white evangelicals and Christian nationalists, using religious language in his campaigns and policies, but many Americans perceive him as not particularly religious personally. 

Do you have to take Bible classes at Baylor?

All students at Baylor are required to take a core curriculum taught within a community of Christian scholars that enables them to acquire the knowledge, skills, and virtues needed to uncover and recognize truth, to deepen their faith, to live virtuously, to strengthen their communities, and to affect the world in ...

How many Jews go to Baylor?

McAllen junior Hali Temkin is part of a small percentage of Jewish students here at Baylor, just 0.2% of freshmen in the fall of 2021. That's only eight students out of the entire class of 2025, a population of 4,200 students.

Is Baylor a hidden ivy?

No, Baylor University is not considered a "Hidden Ivy," as that term generally refers to lesser-known, high-quality liberal arts colleges, while Baylor is a large, private Christian research university with a strong national reputation, though not an Ivy League member. While it's a respected institution, ranking well in undergraduate teaching and research, it doesn't fit the typical Hidden Ivy profile or claim that status, unlike schools such as Amherst or Swarthmore. 

Is Catholicism big in Texas?

Around 22% of Texans identify as Catholic, per data from Pew Research Center. The big picture: Pew surveyed 35,000 Americans in all 50 states in 2007, 2014 and 2023-24 about their religious affiliations, beliefs and practices.

Is Baylor predominantly white?

The most common race/ethnicity at Baylor University (223232) is white (3,856 degrees awarded).

What is Baylor known for academically?

Baylor consistently ranks in the top 100 national doctoral-granting universities in "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report. Graduate programs in law, business, health disciplines, nursing, the sciences and education are nationally ranked in the 2020 "America's Best Graduate Schools" by U.S. News.

What Bible does Baylor use?

Introduction. Baylor University is proud to be home to one of a very limited number of St. John's Bible Heritage Editions, a "fine art reproduction of the original" work, which was conceived by Donald Jackson in the 1970s as a "masterpiece in art and biblical scholarship."

Is Baylor a dry campus?

Yes, Baylor University is a "dry campus," meaning it strictly prohibits the possession, use, or being under the influence of alcohol (and other substances) for anyone covered by its policy on any university property or at university-related events, reflecting its Baptist affiliation. Violations can lead to serious disciplinary actions, including suspension or expulsion, in addition to legal penalties. 

What college has the most LGBT?

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• University of Massachusetts Amherst.
• University of Oregon.
• University of Pennsylvania.
• University of Washington.
• Princeton University.
• Pennsylvania State University.
• Other LGBTQ-friendly US universities.
• The Shame List.

How much does 4 years of Baylor cost?

For the 2025-2026 academic year, Baylor's undergraduate tuition is about $63,620 per year, with total estimated annual costs (including room, board, fees) around $80,000+, leading to a projected 4-year total cost over $290,000, though net prices vary greatly with financial aid, potentially lowering annual costs to the mid-$50,000s or less after aid.
 

What is a little ivy?

The Little Ivies are an unofficial group of small, academically competitive private liberal arts colleges in the Northeastern United States.

What is the most liberal school?

• #1 Most Liberal Colleges in America. American University. ...
• #2 Most Liberal Colleges in America. University of Vermont. ...
• #3 Most Liberal Colleges in America. SUNY Purchase College. ...
• Take the College Quiz. ...
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• #6 Most Liberal Colleges in America.

What college do most Jews go to?

The "most Jewish" colleges depend on whether you mean highest percentage or largest absolute numbers, with Tulane University and Brandeis University often cited for high percentages (40%+), while large publics like the University of Florida, Rutgers, and University of Central Florida (UCF) have the biggest Jewish populations overall, alongside major universities like NYU, BU, and Cornell. Specialized institutions like Yeshiva University have 100% Jewish students, while many schools offer vibrant Jewish life, from Emory to UCLA. 

Can Muslims go to Baylor University?

During my first year at Baylor University, I almost transferred out. I was one of only a handful of Muslim students, one of an even smaller number of hijabi students on campus, away from home for the first time, and surviving in the middle of a global pandemic.

What is the girl to guy ratio at Baylor?

At Baylor University, the student body has significantly more females than males, with recent data showing roughly a 60% female to 40% male ratio, though it fluctuates slightly year to year, with some sources noting a narrowing gap towards a 58/42 split. For example, Fall 2024 data shows about 59.4% female and 40.6% male students, while a Fall 2024 report mentioned 58% female to 42% male. 

Does Baylor support LGBTQ?

Thus, the University provides several areas of support for LGBTQ students. The Baylor Counseling Center offers voluntary support groups for LGBTQ (and questioning) students, which are overseen by experienced counseling professionals. The Chaplain's Office/Department of Spiritual Life may also be of assistance.

How hard is it to get into a sorority at Baylor?

Yes, getting into a sorority at Baylor University is competitive, requiring strong academics (like a 2.67+ GPA and 12+ hours) and proactive effort, including getting recommendations, as it's a selective mutual selection process where not everyone gets a bid, but many find a good fit through formal recruitment or Continuous Open Bidding (COB). 

Do Baylor students have to attend Chapel?

Baylor University requires two semesters of Chapel credit — learn more here.