Record-setting enrollment and retention

University statistics show high demand for the Baylor experience

Baylor University topped milestones for freshman, undergraduate and overall enrollment and achieved all-time highs across the board for fall-to-fall retention numbers, according to statistics released Sept.17 by Baylor’s Office of Institutional Research and Testing.

The official numbers for Baylor’s 2014 fall enrollment:

• Record total of 16,263 students, surpassing last fall’s enrollment record of 15,616 students.
• Record undergraduate enrollment of 13,859 students, up from 13,292 students in fall 2013.
• Record diversity among the Baylor student body, with overall minority enrollment up to 34.3 percent in fall 2014 from 33.9 percent in fall 2013.
• A graduate enrollment of 2,404 students in the Graduate School and professional programs, including Baylor Law School, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor School of Social Work and in Baylor/ U.S. Army affiliated degree programs.

A record-shattering class of high-achieving freshmen also has enrolled at Baylor this fall. Among the highlights:

• The record freshman enrollment of 3,625 first-year students surpassed Baylor’s previous record of 3,259 freshmen, set in fall 2010.
• Diversity among first-year students remains strong with minority enrollment among Baylor’s freshman class increasing to 35 percent in fall 2014, up from 34.3 percent in fall 2013.
• Out-of-state freshman enrollment increased to 30 percent in fall 2014, up from 29.3 percent in fall 2013.
• The entering class averaged 1231 on the SAT and 27.1 on the ACT, both increases over last year.

The fall enrollment report also showed that fall-to-fall retention among Baylor freshmen improved for the fifth straight year.

The retention rate among Baylor’s first-time freshmen from fall 2013 to fall 2014 increased to a record 88.5 percent. Previous gains in freshman retention have been 88.2 percent from fall 2012 to fall 2013, 86.6 percent from fall 2011 to fall 2012, 85.4 percent from fall 2010 to fall 2011 and 81.9 percent from fall 2009 to 2010.

In addition, the retention rate among all Baylor undergraduates from fall 2013 to fall 2014 increased to 90.4 percent from 89.7 percent, while fall-to-fall retention for new transfer students rose to 81.5 percent from 74.7 percent.

Dr. Sinda K. Vanderpool, Baylor’s associate vice provost for academic enrollment management, said the new retention numbers across the board for freshmen, undergraduates and transfers are at all-time highs.

“This steady progress is a clear sign that our campus community is invested in the success of every Baylor student,” Vanderpool said. “We have an ‘all hands on deck’ approach at Baylor where we in the Baylor community—from those who work in Admissions and Financial Aid to professionals in Student Life and the Paul L. Foster Success Center—rally together, holding up the belief that each and every student can thrive at Baylor.

“And, if you ask a Baylor student, they will invariably point to a personal connection with a faculty member that has made that difference for them. Simply put, retention is a by-product of students making connections, engaging with their learning and investing in their own success,” she added.