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 carves out a distinct niche as a private Christian university in St. Louis, where faith and career preparation are explicitly intertwined. With a moderately selective admissions process and a focus on practical majors like Nursing, Business, and Education, it serves a student body seeking a values-based education with a tangible return. The campus culture is intentionally close-knit and activity-driven, though its graduation and retention metrics highlight the challenges some students face in persisting to a degree.
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
Popular Majors
Nursing, Business, Education
Graduation Rate
48%
Early Decision Plan
Not offered
Demonstrated Interest
Not considered
Student-Faculty Ratio
17:1 or 21:1
Median Earnings (10yr)
$46,660
Freshman Retention Rate
69%
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
11%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
36%
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
Missouri Baptist University operates a moderately selective, admissions process designed to be accessible to a broad range of students. The university does not offer an Early Decision plan, and sources indicate that demonstrated interest is not considered in admissions decisions, placing the focus squarely on academic credentials. For freshmen, the minimum GPA requirement is 2.5, while transfer students must have a 2.0. The middle 50% of admitted students who submit test scores have an SAT range between 910 and 1170, or an ACT range between 12 and 18, with average scores reported around a 1040 SAT and a 16 ACT. The process is straightforward, with a $35 application fee, and emphasizes foundational academic readiness within its Christian educational context.
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.
MBU's academic portfolio is built around career-oriented undergraduate and graduate programs grounded in Christian values. The university offers 71 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, with a distinct specialization in Education, which awards the highest number of degrees. Other popular and specialized majors include Nursing, Business, Parks/Recreation/Leisure, and Public Administration. The learning environment is characterized by a student-faculty ratio that sources report as either 17:1 or 21:1, suggesting generally accessible class sizes. This structure is intended to foster personal connections between students and professors, supporting the university's mission of equipping students for 'a purposeful life.' However, the average freshman retention rate of 69% signals that a significant portion of the incoming class does not return for a second year, pointing to potential academic or fit challenges.
Campus life at MBU is actively curated by a dedicated Student Life team to create a 'vibrant campus culture' within a 'connected, Christian community.' The university promotes a full slate of educational activities, events, and experiences designed to engage students beyond the classroom. Student involvement is encouraged through various clubs and organizations, with resources available for students to start their own groups based on their passions. The social media presence of the Student Life office highlights events like career conferences for sport management majors, indicating a focus on blending professional development with campus activities. The overall atmosphere is presented as supportive and welcoming, with staff described as 'knowledgeable' and focused on setting students up for success during their time at the university.
Graduation and earnings outcomes at Missouri Baptist University present a mixed picture, with a notable gap between enrollment and degree completion. The university's own reporting states that all graduation rates are based on six years of attendance (150% of normal time) and exclude students who left school to serve in the armed forces or on official church missions. External sources report a six-year graduation rate of 57%, but the four-year rate is significantly lower. For graduates, median earnings one year after graduation are approximately $39,078. The financial return improves over time, with median earnings five years out reported at $46,891. The retention rate—the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year—is reported at 65%, which aligns with the academic challenges reflected in the graduation metrics.
The —the average out-of-pocket cost after aid—is a central figure for prospective students. MBU provides a Net Price Calculator to help families estimate this cost, which includes grants, scholarships, and federal student loans. The university offers merit-based scholarships, with awards ranging between $21,000 and $23,000 per year for top recipients; for example, the Trustee scholarship is available to students with an ACT score of 27 or higher. Financial aid eligibility is primarily based on the demonstration of need through the FAFSA. The university's policies require students to maintain satisfactory academic progress (a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale) to retain financial aid. Notably, the sources provided do not indicate that MBU has a 'no-loan' policy or commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need without loans; federal student loans remain a standard part of aid packages.
Missouri Baptist University stands out for its unambiguous fusion of Christian identity with career-focused education in the St. Louis metro area. It is not a liberal arts college in disguise; it is a purpose-driven institution where popular majors like Nursing, Business, and Education are explicitly framed within a context of 'strong Christian values.' This creates a specific environment for students seeking both professional preparation and spiritual growth. The university leans into community, with a student life apparatus actively working to generate a vibrant, involved campus culture. However, its profile is also defined by its accessibility—a , moderately selective admissions process—and the very real challenges reflected in its retention and graduation rates. It serves a particular student: one looking for a supportive, faith-based pathway to a practical degree, who is prepared to navigate the academic follow-through required to reach graduation and the subsequent mid-career earnings plateau.
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