

Graceville, FLprivate nonprofitwww.buf.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 64%–100% over the last 5 years — notably volatile, though the latest figure above (36%) falls outside that window. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The Baptist University of Florida is a small, intensely focused Christian institution in the Florida Panhandle where faith isn't just a component of the curriculum—it's the entire foundation. With a tight-knit community of just over 500 undergraduates and a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, BUF offers a highly personalized, ministry-oriented education centered on theology, music, and education. It's a place for students seeking a purposeful, immersive religious experience, not a traditional liberal arts exploration.
Test scores required
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Outcomes & value
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Admissions at Baptist University of Florida is a straightforward process geared toward students whose academic and spiritual goals align with the institution's mission. The university reports an of 36%, a figure that reflects a moderately selective process. Applicants are not required to submit standardized test scores, as the university is . The application fee is $25, and the primary application can be requested by contacting the Office of Admissions via email at [email protected] or by phone. The university does not appear to have a binding Early Decision program; the regular application deadline is August 12. The admissions factors considered are not detailed in the provided sources, and there is no specific information regarding whether demonstrated interest is a formal part of the evaluation process.
Academic life at BUF is intimate and purpose-driven, built on a Christian worldview. With a student-faculty ratio of 9:1, instruction is highly personal. The university's academic offerings are concentrated in fields that serve church and ministry vocations.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Degrees and Majors:
Popular Majors: According to available data, the most popular majors cluster in philosophy and religious studies, psychology, visual and performing arts, education, and social sciences. Theology/Theological Studies is noted as the institution's single most popular major, with the university granting around 18 degrees in that field annually. The curriculum explicitly aims to develop skills in critical thinking and written communication alongside theological training.
Life on the 250-acre campus in Graceville is best described as a total immersion in a close-knit Christian community. The university's official stance is that "All university life focuses upon preparation for Christian living." Administration, faculty, staff, and students are described as joining together to exalt Jesus Christ. This creates an environment where faith is the central, unifying thread of daily experience.
The Office of Student Life & Activities aims to create a "vibrant, inclusive, and engaging campus experience where students can grow, connect, and thrive." The community is framed as a "Faithful Family" that journeys together, uplifting one another through prayer, action, and mutual encouragement. Campus traditions include welcoming hundreds of new students at the start of each school year, with aspirations for the year to be "historic, culture shifting and atmospheric changing." The small size fosters deep connections, and campus activities are designed to reinforce spiritual growth and community bonds.
Outcomes for BUF graduates reflect the university's specialized focus on ministry and service-oriented fields. The graduation rate is 52%. Earnings data shows a trajectory that starts modestly and grows over time. According to various sources, median earnings one year after graduation are approximately $28,842. This figure rises to about $39,891 five years after graduation. The median earnings ten years after entry are $42,836. Another source cites average earnings for completers four years post-graduation at $40,595. These earnings are below the national midpoint for four-year colleges, which is consistent with careers in religious vocations, education, and non-profit work that the university primarily prepares students for.
Baptist University of Florida is a private institution with a that is relatively low compared to many private colleges, due in part to available aid. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $10,372. Other sources report similar figures, including $10,430. The average financial aid package awarded is $9,390, with the average need-based scholarship or grant award being $9,098. Financial assistance is offered in the form of grants, employment, and loans. Eligible students must apply for federal aid via the FAFSA. The university has a priority aid deadline of March 1st, requiring both the FAFSA and the university's own financial aid application to be submitted by that date for full consideration. There is no information in the provided sources indicating the university meets full demonstrated financial need or has a no-loan policy for low-income students.
Baptist University of Florida stands out for its uncompromising, all-encompassing commitment to forming Christian ministers and lay leaders. This is not a university where you can major in business or engineering and take a theology elective; every major, from psychology to music education, is explicitly framed within and directed toward Christian service. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio ensures mentorship is the norm, not the exception, allowing for deep spiritual and academic guidance. The campus culture is its defining feature—a purposeful, familial community of just over 500 students where faith is the shared language and daily practice. For a student certain of a vocation in ministry, church music, or Christian education, BUF offers a rare, focused, and supportive environment entirely designed for that path. Its value proposition is clarity of mission, not breadth of choice.