
Waxahachie, TXprivate nonprofitwww.nelson.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 84%–89% over the last 5 years. 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.
Nelson University, a faith-based institution in Waxahachie, Texas, blends academic rigor with a tight-knit, spiritually vibrant community. With an 84% acceptance rate and a focus on biblical worldview education, it attracts students seeking a supportive environment where they can earn degrees in over 70 majors while engaging in late-night worship and block parties. The university's 52% graduation rate and $36,427 median post-grad earnings reflect its commitment to balancing affordability with outcomes.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
Nelson University is decidedly less selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 65% to 92% across sources, making it accessible to a broad applicant pool. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 17–22 on the ACT or 890–1,090 on the SAT (ERW + Math). Notably, the university offers Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), allowing students to apply for up to 37.5% of their degree requirements through experiential or non-traditional learning. While no early admission policy is highlighted, the admissions office emphasizes a straightforward process with actionable applications.
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.
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.
Nelson University’s academic offerings are steeped in a biblical worldview, with 57 majors spanning business, health professions, and humanities. Accredited by SACSCOC, the university emphasizes critical thinking and ethical leadership, particularly in its Bachelor of Arts in Business program. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio fosters personalized attention, though the 52% graduation rate suggests variability in student persistence. Recent expansions include innovative program designs aimed at merging faith with academic excellence, though specifics on new degrees are sparse. The curriculum leans practical, with a focus on 'empowering spirit-led student' outcomes.
Life at Nelson revolves around faith and community. The suburban campus hosts 1,096 undergraduates, with dorm life featuring overnight visits, block parties, and late-night worship sessions. Students frequently cite the relational culture as a hallmark, bolstered by its ranking as the #1 safest college campus in Texas (per Niche). Housing costs average $10,066 annually, and the university leans into traditions like campus-wide events that blend spiritual and social engagement. Reviews highlight a supportive atmosphere, though limited data exists on Greek life or major student-run organizations.
Nelson’s six-year graduation rate hovers around 41–52%, below national averages but aligned with its open-access mission. Alumni earn a median salary of $36,427 one year post-graduation, per Niche data—modest but competitive for regional faith-based institutions. The university touts U.S. News recognition for affordability and outcomes, though rankings specifics are unclear. Notably, research suggests instructional spending correlates with graduation rates here, hinting at resource allocation challenges. Debt and employment data are sparse, but the emphasis on 'spirit-led' careers may skew earnings toward nonprofit or ministry roles.
Tuition and fees are middle-of-the-road for private colleges, with Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculators available to estimate costs after aid. Merit scholarships range up to $2,000 annually for students with GPAs of 3.9–4.0. The university promotes need-based aid, grants, and work-study, though average award sizes aren’t disclosed. A focus on affordability is evident, with policies allowing institutional aid to stack with external scholarships. For online undergraduates, additional grants exist, but on-campus students should budget ~$10K for housing alongside tuition.
Nelson carves a niche as a faith-forward, community-anchored campus where safety and spirituality trump cutthroat academics. Its 84% acceptance rate and CPL policy make it accessible to non-traditional learners, while business and ministry programs deliver pragmatic outcomes. The #1 safety ranking and worship-infused social life appeal to families seeking a protective environment. Yet, its sub-50th-percentile graduation rate signals it’s best for self-motivated students who thrive in close-knit, belief-driven settings—not those chasing prestige or high-earning STEM tracks.