Baylor University Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit awards and what it takes to qualify
- Competitive programs like Carr P. Collins and Getterman Scholars
- Hidden gems such as Trailblazer and departmental awards
- Honors College perks and how awards stack together
For many families, the sticker price at a private school like Baylor can feel overwhelming. But the reality is that Baylor combines strong merit scholarships, competitive programs, and even state aid like the Texas Tuition Equalization Grant to bring costs down. This guide breaks it all down in plain English, so you’ll know where the real opportunities are — and don’t forget to check our Texas state aid guide for options that can stack with Baylor’s own awards.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Baylor University
| Category (2025–2026 est.) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (annual) | $63,620 |
| Housing & Meals (on-campus average) | $16,638 |
| Books & Supplies (allowance) | $1,530 |
| Transportation (allowance) | $1,548 |
| Personal/Misc. (allowance) | $2,398 |
| Total (before aid) | $85,734 |
Assumptions: Full-time undergraduate for the academic year. Housing & meals reflect a typical on-campus plan. Books, transportation, and personal costs are standard financial-aid allowances (your actual spending may differ).
That’s what families actually paid after grants/scholarships — no loans — based on federal reporting.
As a private university, Baylor uses the CSS Profile (alongside the FAFSA) to award its own institutional grants and scholarships. The CSS digs deeper into your family’s situation, which can unlock more Baylor aid than FAFSA alone. New to CSS? See our step-by-step CSS Profile guide for families.
Who qualifies for Baylor aid?
All admitted students can be considered for Baylor merit automatically. For need-based Baylor grants, submit both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile by priority dates.
How much can institutional aid reduce the bill?
It varies by academics and family finances. Baylor merit plus need-based grants commonly lower the total well below the sticker price; the federal “average net price” gives a rough benchmark.
Is CSS automatic or a separate application?
The CSS Profile is a separate application through the College Board. Plan ahead — it takes time to gather documents, and meeting priority deadlines can improve your package.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Baylor awards a range of merit scholarships to admitted students based on GPA and test scores. These awards are automatic with admission—no separate application required. Award levels are fixed, and the amount you receive is tied to your academic profile at the time of admission.
| Scholarship | Award Amount (per year) | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President’s Gold Scholarship | $21,000 – $24,000 | GPA 3.7+ and SAT 1350+ or ACT 30+ | No | Yes — maintain ≥3.0 GPA | High-achieving students in Baylor’s top academic profile |
| Provost’s Gold Scholarship | $18,000 – $21,000 | GPA 3.5+ and SAT 1250+ or ACT 27+ | No | Yes — maintain ≥3.0 GPA | Strong admits with good test scores and GPA |
| Dean’s Gold Scholarship | $12,000 – $15,000 | GPA 3.3+ and SAT 1150+ or ACT 24+ | No | Yes — maintain ≥3.0 GPA | Admits with solid academic records who don’t hit the top tiers |
Disclaimer: Award ranges and eligibility thresholds are published by Baylor University. Actual cutoffs may vary slightly by applicant pool and year. Baylor superscores both the SAT and ACT when determining eligibility.
Do I need to apply separately?
No. All automatic merit scholarships are awarded as part of the admissions process. Your admission application also serves as your scholarship application.
Does Baylor superscore?
Yes. Baylor superscores both the SAT and ACT, which can boost your scholarship eligibility.
Can these scholarships stack with other aid?
Yes. Automatic merit scholarships can stack with need-based aid, departmental awards, and outside scholarships, but total aid cannot exceed the cost of attendance.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Baylor’s top competitive scholarships have clear eligibility cutoffs, firm deadlines, and limited recipient pools. These awards go beyond automatic merit and often require essays, nominations, or interviews.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility & Requirements | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carr P. Collins Scholars Program | $5,200/year × 4 years (≈$20,800 total) | Texas residents only. Top 25% of high school class; SAT ≥1310 or ACT ≥28; demonstrated leadership and financial need. Requires nomination + essays by Feb 1. | Yes | Yes — maintain ≥3.0 GPA | ~25–30 Texas students per year with strong leadership/service and competitive scores |
| Invitation to Excellence (I2E) | $1,000 – $5,000 (one-time, stacks with merit) | Students with high academic credentials (commonly GPA ≥3.7, SAT ≥1350 or ACT ≥30) are invited to attend a special campus event and complete an essay/interview for award consideration. | Yes — invitation only | No — one-time award | Hundreds may be invited; only a subset receive the additional scholarship dollars |
Disclaimer: Award amounts and eligibility thresholds are taken directly from Baylor University’s scholarship descriptions. While exact GPA/test benchmarks may shift slightly by year, Baylor publishes clear standards for Collins, Getterman, and I2E. These are among the most competitive awards at the university.
Do these replace automatic merit?
No. Competitive scholarships stack on top of automatic merit, though total Baylor aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
How many students win?
Getterman: 4 nationally per year.
Collins: ~25–30 Texas students per year.
I2E: hundreds invited, smaller subset receives awards.
Are deadlines flexible?
No. Carr P. Collins = Feb 1 deadline. Getterman = interview weekend in spring. I2E = must attend event to qualify.
⭐ College Specialties
Baylor is more than just Big 12 sports and a gorgeous Waco campus. As a private R1 research university, it’s known for blending rigorous academics with a faith-based mission. Baylor students benefit from nationally recognized programs that open doors to graduate schools, medical residencies, and competitive industries nationwide.
Baylor’s business school is consistently ranked among the best in Texas and is nationally recognized for entrepreneurship and accounting. Its entrepreneurship program ranks in the Top 10 nationally (Princeton Review, 2024), and accounting graduates enjoy one of the highest CPA exam pass rates in the country.
- Nursing & Health Sciences — Baylor’s nursing program partners with the Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, making it one of the strongest nursing pipelines in Texas.
- Law School — Known for its rigorous trial advocacy program, Baylor Law is consistently ranked among the top trial advocacy programs in the nation (U.S. News, 2024).
- Pre-Medicine & Sciences — Baylor is a top feeder for medical and dental schools in Texas, with robust biology and chemistry programs tied to undergraduate research opportunities.
- Education — Baylor’s School of Education is highly respected statewide, especially for teacher preparation and educational leadership programs.
- Music & Performing Arts — The School of Music is one of the oldest in the Southwest, with notable recognition for its choral and instrumental ensembles, including the Golden Wave Band.
🎖️ Honors College
Baylor’s Honors College is made up of four distinct programs — the Honors Program, University Scholars, the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core (BIC), and the Great Texts Program. Admission is by separate application after you’ve applied to Baylor, and it’s designed for students who want more challenge, more mentorship, and a tighter academic community within a large R1 university.
High school GPA: ≈3.9+ with rigorous coursework
SAT/ACT: 1400+ SAT or 31+ ACT*
Passion for service, intellectual curiosity, and evidence of leadership
*Estimates based on past cohorts; Baylor does not publish strict cutoffs.
- Priority registration and small, discussion-driven classes
- Dedicated Honors housing and living-learning communities
- Faculty-mentored research and thesis opportunities
- Special access to fellowships, internships, and leadership programs
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility & What Makes it Competitive | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Getterman Scholars Program | Full tuition, fees, room & board (4 years) | Open to all majors. Applicants must show outstanding academic record (typically GPA ≥3.9, SAT ≥1450 or ACT ≥32), plus leadership and service. Requires application + interview at Getterman weekend. | Yes | Yes — maintain ≥3.5 GPA | Only 4 students selected nationally each year; one of Baylor’s most prestigious awards |
| Honors College Scholarships | $1,000 – $5,000/year | Admitted Honors students with exceptional academic records and strong essays; limited number awarded | Yes — part of Honors app | Yes — maintain ≥3.5 GPA | Honors students with standout applications and evidence of leadership or research potential |
Note: Exact award numbers for Honors College scholarships are not published. Awards are competitive, vary by cohort, and are intended to supplement Baylor’s broader merit aid. Students often stack these with general merit scholarships.
Is Honors admission automatic?
No. You must submit a separate Honors application with essays and recommendations after applying to Baylor.
Does Honors add time to my degree?
No. The Honors curriculum is designed to fit within a normal four-year plan and often replaces core courses.
Can Honors students get extra scholarships?
Yes. Honors scholarships can be stacked on top of Baylor’s automatic merit and competitive awards, though they usually cover only part of tuition.
What’s the deadline?
Honors applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but priority deadlines typically align with Baylor’s early admission rounds (Nov 1 and Feb 1).
📎 Official Links
Final Thoughts
Baylor combines the feel of a private, faith-driven community with the research power of an R1 university. For families, that means real opportunities to cut the cost — from automatic merit aid to competitive programs like Carr P. Collins, to hidden gems for first-gen and service-minded students. And for the most ambitious, the Honors College and Getterman Scholarship open the door to a full-ride experience. With careful planning (and submitting both FAFSA and the CSS Profile), Baylor can be a surprisingly affordable choice for the right student.
✅ Last updated: August 27, 2025