Overview of Southwest Baptist University

Southwest Baptist University is a private, Southern Baptist university in Bolivar, Missouri. The institution offers 13 undergraduate degrees and 5 graduate degrees in over 80 areas of study. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. The SBU  Bearcats play in the NCAA Division II Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) for most sports on the intercollegiate front.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 3,356 (2,663 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 36% Male/64% Female
• 67% Full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $24,510
• Books: $1,500
• Room and Board: $7,820
• Other Expenses: $2,000
• Total Cost: $35,830

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 98%
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 95%
  • Loans: 67%
• Mean Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $13,897
  • Loans: $7,431

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse; Business Administration and Management, General; Elementary Education and Teaching; Psychology, General; and Kinesiology and Exercise Science

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 71%
• Transfer Out Rate: 35%
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 34%
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 47%

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cheerleading-Dance Team, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball

Overview of Southwest Baptist University Admissions

With an acceptance rate of 70% in 2019, Southwest Baptist University is a largely accessible school. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. This institution has a robust admissions process that involves a multitude of academic measures. Applicants must complete an online application. A persuasive essay and glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices. Students should make a campus visit to determine if the institution is a good fit for them.

Admissions Data                        

• Southwest Baptist University Acceptance Rate: 70%
• Test Scores — 25th/75th Percentile
  • SAT Critical Reading: 500/610
  • SAT Math: 490/603
  • SAT Writing: -/-
  • ACT Cumulative: 18/25
  • ACT English: 18/26
  • ACT Math: 17/26

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Southwest Baptist University, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Southwest Baptist University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

University of Texas at El Paso, Texas A&M University-Kingsville, California State University Sacramento, California State University Northridge, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, California State University Fresno, California State University East Bay

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Southwest Baptist University, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Coastal Carolina University, East Carolina University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Old Dominion University, Texas State University, Georgia State University

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Southwest Baptist University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

University of Arizona, University of Alabama, Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of North Texas, University of Texas at Arlington, California State University Long Beach

Applying to Southwest Baptist University

Application Deadline: Rolling

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.sbuniv.edu/admissions/

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.sbuniv.edu/admissions/apply.php

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.sbuniv.edu/academics/graduate/

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://www.sbuniv.edu/academics/graduate/