Baylor University

Waco, TX · founded 1845 · 21,000 students · private research university · Big 12

Known for: Baylor University is the world's largest Baptist university and is nationally recognized for its robust research programs, particularly in the health sciences, and its highly successful NCAA Division I athletics, especially in football and basketball. It is a leading Christian research institution.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #93
QS World: #901
Times Higher Education: #401
Forbes: #156

Top programmes

Business
Nursing
Engineering
Law
Health Sciences
Education

Notable alumni

Robert Griffin III — Heisman Trophy-winning NFL quarterback
Angela Kinsey — Actress best known for playing Angela Martin on 'The Office'
John Eddie Williams — Prominent trial lawyer and philanthropist
Jeff Dunham — Ventriloquist and comedian
Cynthia Cooper-Dyke — Hall of Fame basketball player and coach
Mike Singletary — Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker
Todd Lake — Vice President for Spiritual Life at Baylor

Traditions

Baylor Line (freshman run onto the football field)
Diadeloso (Day of the Bear, a spring festival)
Christmas on 5th Street
Dr Pepper Hour
Homecoming Parade and Bonfire

If Baylor University were…

As a food: Texas brisket from Franklin Barbecue — Unapologetically Texan, slow-smoked in tradition, and worth the wait if you buy into the hype. Baylor is big, meaty, conservative, and proud—outsiders question the fuss, but locals know it's the real deal if you're raise
As an athlete: Robert Griffin III — Heisman Trophy winner who put Baylor football on the map, charismatic and devoutly Christian, but whose career peaked early amid controversy. RGIII is Baylor—explosive talent, deep faith, Texas pride, and a complicated l
As a person alive today: Chip and Joanna Gaines — Baylor grads who turned Waco into a pilgrimage site for shiplap-loving Christians nationwide. They embody Baylor's brand: wholesome, entrepreneurial, family-values-forward, and wildly successful at monetizing nostalgia f
As a historical figure: Sam Houston — Texas founding father, Baptist convert, and larger-than-life figure who balanced frontier toughness with moral conviction. Baylor students see themselves as heirs to this Texas legacy—independent, principled, and ready t
As a movie or TV show: Friday Night Lights — Small-town Texas values, football as religion, tight-knit community, and characters navigating faith, ambition, and tradition. Waco isn't Dillon, but Baylor students live the same tension between big dreams and staying t
As a US president: George W. Bush — Texas-bred, unapologetically Christian, and comfortable in cowboy boots while wielding power. Baylor students share this blend of folksy charm and serious ambition, plus a complicated relationship with institutional scan
As a city: Nashville — Bible Belt capital that's grown into a major city while keeping its Christian, conservative, and country roots visible. Baylor is Waco's anchor the way Vanderbilt and Christian culture define Nashville—Southern, religiou
As an element: Gold — Precious, traditional, and associated with wealth and permanence—Baylor's green and gold colors reflect its aspirations. Like gold, Baylor is malleable enough to modernize while retaining its core identity, and it's been
As a car: 2019 Chevrolet Suburban LT — Baylor's Baptist roots and Texas scale demand this spacious, traditional SUV that hauls church groups, tailgating gear, and Big 12 pride. It's wholesome, family-sized, and unapologetically Waco.

Campus life

Campus life is vibrant and deeply rooted in Christian traditions, with a strong sense of community and school spirit. Social life is heavily influenced by athletics, Greek life, and numerous student organizations. The atmosphere is welcoming and spirited, blending academic rigor with faith-based values.