Southwest Baptist Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Southwest Baptist University is a private research university in Bolivar, Missouri, enrolling about 1,341 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 68.39% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $43,112 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $30,566
- 2024 Average Net Price: $21,677 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 68.39% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,341 78.8% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 55.32%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 35.5%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.7% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 12.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 39.2%
- Average SAT Score: 1088
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,036
- Applicants (IPEDS): 1,057
- Room & Board: $9,776 annual estimate
Southwest Baptist University: what the data shows
Common questions about Southwest Baptist University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Southwest Baptist University?
Southwest Baptist University is located in Bolivar, MO (ZIP 65613-2596).
NCES locale classification: Town distant.
Is Southwest Baptist University public or private?
Southwest Baptist University is a Private Non-profit institution.
How much does Southwest Baptist University cost?
Published tuition: $30,566.
Average net price after aid: $21,677.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $21,978 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $17,947 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $19,633 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $22,016 |
| $110,001+ | $23,857 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $122,264.
How hard is it to get into Southwest Baptist University?
Admission rate: 68.39%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1088 and midpoint ACT 22.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Southwest Baptist University?
Total enrollment: 1,341 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,036 students.
Graduate enrollment: 489 students.
About 79% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Southwest Baptist University?
150%-time completion rate: 55.32%.
First-year retention: 64.8%.
What do graduates of Southwest Baptist University earn?
Median earnings: $38,855 six years after entry; $43,112 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $20,957.
36.27% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Southwest Baptist University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (142 completions)
- Education, General (70 completions)
- Physical Therapy/Therapist (68 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (35 completions)
- Psychology, General (34 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (33 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (30 completions)
- Educational Leadership and Administration, General (23 completions)
- Superintendency and Educational System Administration (22 completions)
- Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer (20 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Southwest Baptist University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 68.39%; completion rate 55.32%; median earnings $43,112 at 10 years; net price $21,677. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$30,566
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Southwest Baptist University was $30,566.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$21,677
2024 Value
In 2024 Southwest Baptist University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $21,677.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$86,708 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$21,677 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$122,264 4-Year Tuition
$9,776 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$980 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$41,322 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$165,288 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Southwest Baptist University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
36.27% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
50.34% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Southwest Baptist University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Southwest Baptist University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $20,040 | $20,040 | $17,344 |
| 2014 | $20,840 | $20,840 | $16,739 |
| 2015 | $21,908 | $21,908 | $14,810 |
| 2016 | $22,508 | $22,508 | $16,481 |
| 2017 | $23,358 | $23,358 | $17,959 |
| 2018 | $24,078 | $24,078 | $16,532 |
| 2019 | $24,578 | $24,578 | $17,682 |
| 2020 | $25,508 | $25,508 | $17,291 |
| 2021 | $26,128 | $26,128 | $17,369 |
| 2022 | $27,038 | $27,038 | $18,748 |
| 2023 | $28,320 | $28,320 | $21,082 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
68.39% Acceptance Rate
1,057 Total Applicants
1,054 Students Admitted
270 First-Time Students Enrolled
25.62% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1088
ACT Average: 22
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Southwest Baptist University reported total enrollment of about 1,341 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 38% male and 62% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (73.5%), Race/ethnicity unknown (10.3%), and Black or African American (6.6%). About 36.27% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 35.5% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
78.8% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Southwest Baptist University in 2024 is 1,341 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 2,036 students. Graduate enrollment is about 489 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
64.8%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 73.5%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
45.61% 100% Completion Time
55.32% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 45.61% of students graduating from Southwest Baptist University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 14% male / 86% female
- Education, General: 17% male / 83% female
- Physical Therapy/Therapist: 34% male / 66% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Southwest Baptist University.
Return on Investment
$20,957 Median Student Debt
$43,112 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
48.61% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
397.21% Return on Investment
4.9 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Southwest Baptist University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 42 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 142 completions
2. Education, General: 70 completions
3. Physical Therapy/Therapist: 68 completions
4. Business Administration and Management, General: 35 completions
5. Psychology, General: 34 completions
6. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 33 completions
7. Elementary Education and Teaching: 30 completions
8. Educational Leadership and Administration, General: 23 completions
9. Superintendency and Educational System Administration: 22 completions
Most popular programs at Southwest Baptist University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Southwest Baptist University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Southwest Baptist University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 39.2%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $6,072
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $10,376
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Southwest Baptist University is a private non-profit institution located in Bolivar, MO, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Education, General, Physical Therapy/Therapist. Enrollment is approximately 1,341 students. Student body composition includes White (73.5%), Race/ethnicity unknown (10.3%), Black or African American (6.6%). The admission rate is 68.39%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1088. The 150%-time completion rate is 55.32%. Approximately 36.27% of students receive Pell Grants. About 35.5% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Private Non-profit
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
Bolivar, MO 65613-2596
Region: Plains
Insights and Analysis
Southwest Baptist University provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Southwest Baptist University located?
Southwest Baptist University is located in Bolivar, MO.
What is Southwest Baptist University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Southwest Baptist University is 68.4% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 1,057 applicants and 1,054 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Southwest Baptist University cost?
Reported tuition is $30,566 and average net price is $21,677 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $9,776 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Southwest Baptist University?
Southwest Baptist University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 2,036 students, White (73.5%), Race/ethnicity unknown (10.3%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Southwest Baptist University?
About 35.5% of students at Southwest Baptist University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Southwest Baptist University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Southwest Baptist University reports midpoint SAT about 1088 and midpoint ACT about 22.
What do graduates of Southwest Baptist University earn?
Median earnings are $38,855 six years after entry and $43,112 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Southwest Baptist University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 55.3% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Southwest Baptist University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $20,957.
Is Southwest Baptist University public or private?
Southwest Baptist University is a private nonprofit institution located in Bolivar, MO.
Is Southwest Baptist University an HBCU?
No. Southwest Baptist University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Southwest Baptist University a tribal college?
No. Southwest Baptist University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Missouri college costs
- Missouri colleges by ROI
- Plains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Missouri
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.