Baylor Sets Records With Overall Enrollment, Freshman Class; Regents Set 2011-2012 Tuition and Fees

September 10, 2010

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Enrollment nears 15,000, while Class of 2014 brings outstanding academic credentials, diversity to campus

Baylor University has enrolled 14,900 students, the largest overall enrollment in university history, according to official 12th-day enrollment statistics compiled by the Office of Institutional Research and Testing. The university also enrolled its largest and most diverse freshman class.

Baylor's previous record fall enrollment came just last year at 14,614 students. This is the fifth consecutive fall that total enrollment at Baylor has exceeded 14,000 students.

Baylor's freshman class enrollment jumped by 161 students to 3,259 freshmen, topping the previous record from fall 2005, when 3,168 freshmen enrolled at Baylor. Demand for this recent Baylor freshman class continued to be very strong, with more than 34,000 students applying to attend Baylor.

Diversity among Baylor's freshman classes continues its record-setting upward trend. Minority enrollment among this year's freshmen stands at 36.4 percent, up from 35.1 percent last year and 31 percent in fall 2008. The academic quality of the class also is strong, with an average SAT of 1218 and average ACT of 26.4.

"It is a remarkable accomplishment, and a testimony to the attractiveness of a Baylor University education, that in the one year our incoming class would set high water marks for size, diversity and quality. We are grateful, and humbled, that so many would choose to join us here at Baylor," said Baylor President Ken Starr.

Overall in fall 2010, Baylor has enrolled:

  • 12,438 undergraduates, a record number of undergraduates at the university,
  • 2,261 students in the Graduate School and professional programs, including Baylor Law School, George W. Truett Theological Seminary and Baylor School of Social Work, and
  • 201 students in Baylor/U.S. Army affiliated graduate degree programs.

Approximately 90 percent of students who attend Baylor receive some form of financial assistance through gift aid or loans. Around 97 percent of the university's incoming freshman class have accepted some form of financial aid to attend Baylor.

The record-setting enrollment report capped off several weeks of national recognition for Baylor's academic rigor.

  • On Aug. 22, Baylor was one of only seven universities recognized for its top health sciences program in the print edition of PARADE Magazine's College A-List.
  • A week earlier, Baylor moved up to No. 79 - and No. 3 among Big 12 universities - in the latest national rankings by U.S.News & World Report. High school counselors surveyed by U.S. News ranked Baylor No. 58 nationally for the quality of its undergraduate education.
  • The same week, Baylor was one of only 16 among the 714 institutions surveyed to receive an "A" for the strength of its core curriculum in the "What Will They Learn?" survey by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni.
  • Over the summer, The Fiske Guide to Colleges selected Baylor as one of only 45 public and private colleges and universities in the United States, Canada and Great Britain - and the only Texas Big 12 institution - to earn the "Best Buy" designation. This is the fifth straight year the Fiske Guide has identified Baylor as offering one of the best values in higher education.

As the university begins a new academic year, the Baylor Board of Regents is preparing for the future, setting tuition and fees for 2011-2012.

Regents voted to increase tuition by 6.5 percent next year to $28,720 for 12 hours or more for the fall 2011 and spring 2012 academic year. The general student fee will increase 6.53 percent to $2,938 for next year. Room and board rates for undergraduates will increase by 4.98 percent and 2.75 percent, respectively.

In total, a freshman entering Baylor in fall 2011 will pay 5.92 percent more in tuition, fees, room and board than a freshman entering this year. That is down from a 6.02 percent increase that went into effect in fall 2010.

Tuition for graduate students in 2011-2012 will increase by 6.49 percent. Tuition for Truett Seminary students will increase by 6.56 percent and Baylor Law School students by 6.55 percent.

In addition, the current budget also will ensure access to a Baylor education for families and students who demonstrate financial need. Baylor's total scholarships for 2011-2012 will increase 10.7 percent or $13.6 million to more than $140 million, which includes a 17.1 percent increase in need-based scholarships for freshmen who enter Baylor in fall 2011.

Compared to other private institutions, Baylor's tuition and required fees continue to remain lower than the university's peer private institutions in Texas, including Rice, SMU, TCU, Trinity, Southwestern and Austin College. Baylor's cost also remains well below those of most private universities outside of Texas, such as Duke, Tulane, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and Pepperdine.

Demand for the quality of a Baylor education has never been higher, as evidenced by the record number of applications for fall 2010 and the highest overall enrollment and largest freshman class in the university's history.

"Setting tuition and fees at Baylor always involves careful study and evaluation of the financial resources needed to move the university forward, while being sensitive to the financial impact on our students and their families," said Dr. Reagan M. Ramsower, vice president for finance and administration. "Baylor continues to be recognized as a great value nationally for the quality of the university's academic programs and campus experience in relation to its cost. As we remain centered on good stewardship of the university's resources, the increase will help support Baylor's current operations, provide for critical new faculty and staff hires and improve compensation levels consistent with Baylor 2012, while providing our students with the highest quality Christian education."

Media contact: Lori Fogleman, director of media communications, (254) 710-6275