Admit rate has ranged 61%–71% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. 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.
Missouri Baptist University is a small, faith-driven Christian university in St. Louis that punches above its weight with a surprisingly diverse academic portfolio (71 programs) and a tight-knit, service-oriented campus culture. While its 68.6% acceptance rate and modest test scores (ACT 12-18) make it accessible, MBU distinguishes itself with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio and a relentless focus on 'holistic development' through chapel programs, career conferences, and a nursing program that dominates its graduate outcomes.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,488
In-state tuition
$34,612
Out-of-state tuition
$34,612
On-Campus Cost
$33,313
Popular Majors
Nursing, Business, Psychology
Acceptance Rate
68.6%
Total Enrollment
5,968
Student-Faculty Ratio
17:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
48%
Avg Alumni Salary (10 Yrs)
$38,100
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$46,660
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.7×
Median debt at graduation
$22,500
Graduation rate
48%
First-year retention
65%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
51%
Pell (lower-income) share
62%
First-generation share
36%
Endowment / student
$3,403
Financial health
2.6 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
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.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Business Administration, Management and Operations$37,478
Accounting and Related Services$35,274
Criminal Justice and Corrections$34,704
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$32,569
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$29,374
Human Services, General
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
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.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
82
Summer high
86°F
Winter low
28°F
Annual rain
54.9"
Annual snow
14.9"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
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.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
36
Scholarly works
118
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.2%
Bottom → top quintile
3%
From bottom quintile
7%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Missouri Baptist University?
Missouri Baptist University's acceptance rate is approximately 69% (Saint Louis, MO), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Missouri Baptist University cost?
At Missouri Baptist University, the average net price (after aid) is about $27,006 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Missouri Baptist University?
Missouri Baptist University enrolls approximately 1,488 undergraduate students.
Where is Missouri Baptist University located?
Missouri Baptist University is located in Saint Louis, MO.
Admissions
MBU’s admissions process leans inclusive, with a 68.6% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. (767 admits from 1,118 applicants in 2024) and Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policies that reflect its mission-driven approach. The bar is modest: freshmen need a 2.5 GPA, transfers a 2.0, and mid-range ACT scores (12-18) or SAT scores (910-1170) are typical for admits. Notably, the university hit a record enrollment of 5,968 students in recent years—a mix of traditional undergrads and adult learners drawn to its flexible pathways and Christian ethos. The $35 application fee and toll-free admissions line (1-877-434-1115) underscore its focus on accessibility.
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.
$27,947
Psychology, General$21,964
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.
Don’t let the small size fool you: MBU offers 71 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, with nursing (52 graduates annually), business (47), and psychology (37) leading the pack. The 17:1 student-faculty ratio ensures close mentorship, and the curriculum is steeped in Christian values—though the academic vibe is more practical than theological. The university emphasizes 'purposeful life' preparation, with programs like elementary education and liberal arts rounding out its most popular majors. No ivory tower here; MBU’s academics are designed to translate directly to careers, particularly in healthcare and education.
Life at MBU revolves around faith, community, and—unexpectedly—sports management career conferences. The Community Life Program (CLP) orchestrates events blending 'spiritual, educational, and cultural maturity,' from chapel services to campus-wide gatherings. Instagram posts showcase dorm life, intramurals, and service projects, while the university touts its 'safe campus' and 'ethical behavior' policies. It’s not a party school—the vibe is more 'study groups and mission trips' than Greek life—but student testimonials highlight a surprisingly active calendar of events curated by the Student Life Team.
MBU’s outcomes are a mixed bag: a 48% six-year graduation rate (below national averages) but a strong pipeline to healthcare jobs, thanks to its nursing program. Alumni earn $38,100 on average a decade after enrollment—modest, but aligned with its service-sector focus. The university transparently notes that graduation rates exclude transfer students, and retention efforts seem to be a work in progress. For students who stick it out, though, MBU delivers solid ROI in fields like education and nursing, with sport management majors landing gigs at football career conferences.
MBU’s sticker price—$33,313 for on-campus students—is tempered by aggressive scholarships. High-achievers (ACT 27+) can snag $15,000–$17,000 annually via Trustee Scholarships, while the Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator hints at significant aid packages for middle-income families. The financial aid office pushes transparency, even publishing a 'shopping sheet' to demystify costs. Still, the price tag may give pause to students eyeing MBU’s modest post-grad salaries, though the university argues its Christian mission and tight-knit community justify the investment.
MBU’s superpower is its fusion of Christian identity with pragmatic career prep—a rare combo that resonates with St. Louis’s healthcare and education sectors. The nursing program is its crown jewel, but the 17:1 faculty ratio and CLP’s holistic programming (think: chapel plus career fairs) create a culture where students are 'known, challenged, and transformed.' It’s not for everyone—the 48% graduation rate signals growing pains—but for students seeking a faith-based launchpad into service professions, MBU delivers with surprising heft.
