Baylor Enrolls Highest-Achieving Freshman Class, Sets Records for Undergraduate Retention, Graduation Rates

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WACO, Texas (Sept. 6, 2018) – Baylor University enrolled its highest-achieving freshman class ever and advanced undergraduate retention and graduation rates to record levels, according to 12th class day statistics from Baylor’s Office of Institutional Research and Testing (IRT).

“Our freshman class is a testament to Baylor’s strength and resilience as we achieved our enrollment projections with the most academically qualified first-year class in our history,” said Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D. “Our freshmen are excited to join the Baylor Family and experience a world-class education on our campus, receive personal attention from faculty and staff and participate in undergraduate research opportunities in a supportive, faith-based environment. We also are pleased with our overall retention and graduation rates and the diversity of our student body, for which we hold an unwavering commitment to fostering and nurturing. I appreciate the outstanding work of our faculty and staff to ensure our students are successful during their college years and when they graduate from the University as proud Baylor alumni.”

Baylor’s freshman enrollment of 3,366 students shows that:

• Out-of-state freshman enrollment increased to a record 38.6 percent.
• Minority enrollment among freshmen is at 36.5 percent.
• Nearly 40 percent of this year’s freshmen were in the top 10 percent of their high school class.
• More than 32 percent of the freshman class reported a legacy connection to Baylor.
• Freshmen represent 47 states and 30 countries. Other than Texas, the top states for freshmen are California (256), Colorado (89), Illinois (70), Louisiana (55) and Oklahoma and Missouri (49 each).

Overall, Baylor’s student body continues to be the most diverse ever at the University, with minority enrollment at 35.3 percent.

Other significant statistics involved the advancement in the University’s retention and graduation rates:

• The retention rate among all Baylor undergraduates from fall 2017 to fall 2018 increased to 91.6 percent, the highest ever at the University.
• The four-year graduation rate among the fall 2014 cohort rose to a record 63.5 percent.
• The six-year graduation rate for the fall 2012 cohort jumped to a record 79 percent.

The University’s fall-to-fall retention among freshmen from fall 2017 to fall 2018 fell slightly to 88.8 percent but is still among the highest in University history.

Baylor’s overall enrollment measured at 17,217 students. The University has enrolled 14,188 undergraduate students and 3,029 graduate and professional students in the Graduate School, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor Law School, Diana R. Garland School of Social Work and Baylor/U.S. Army affiliated degree programs.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.