Founded in 1878, Southwest Baptist University. is a Private college. Located in Missouri, which is a city setting in Missouri, the campus itself is Town. The campus is home to 2,973 full time undergraduate students, and 718 full time graduate students.
The Southwest Baptist University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 15:1. There are 129 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Southwest Baptist University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
89%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
30
SAT Range
860-1100
ACT Range
19-25
Admissions at SBU are considered Less Selective, with ,17% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 25 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
79% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 47% were in the top quarter, and 24% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Southwest Baptist University.
14%
“We”re apathetic”
29%
“We know about current events and vote”
57%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
7%
“We save it for the classroom”
0%
“Sometimes, but not often”
64%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
29%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
29%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
71%
“I feel extremely safe”
36%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
29%
“We bought the gear”
36%
“We live for the big game”
7%
“It”s not really our thing”
14%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
64%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
14%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
14%
“Available in class”
29%
“They keep regular office hours”
57%
“They”re always available”
71%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
21%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
7%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
29%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
50%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
21%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
43%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
57%
“There might be people who do”
0%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
14%
“We”re apathetic”
29%
“We know about current events and vote”
57%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
0%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
7%
“We save it for the classroom”
0%
“Sometimes, but not often”
64%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
29%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
29%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
71%
“I feel extremely safe”
36%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
29%
“We bought the gear”
36%
“We live for the big game”
7%
“It”s not really our thing”
14%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
64%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
14%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
14%
“Available in class”
29%
“They keep regular office hours”
57%
“They”re always available”
71%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
21%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
7%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
42 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 24 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
32 Students rated off-campus housing 3.7 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
46 Students rated campus food 2.9 stars. 13 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
48 Students rated campus facilities 4.1 stars. 38 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
48 Students rated class size 4.5 stars. 58 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
47 Students rated school activities 4 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
47 Students rated local services 4.3 stars. 55 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
48 Students rated academics 4.2 stars. 42 % gave the school a 5.0.
Southwest Baptist University REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Southwest Baptist University?
18 Students rated Southwest Baptist University
Sierra
07/29/2024
My opinion of Southwest Baptist University is overall a good one. There are some ups and downs with my university, but that will be found anywhere. All the teachers are wonderful to be around and learn from, but the students are a little bit difficult to understand. Some are mean, some are nice, and some should not be at a Baptist university, but that is not for me to judge. The facilities are great, but I do think they are a little outdated, especially for the some of our athletic programs. The food is amazing, and the lovely people who are there for special diet accommodations deserve more credit. The student life is eventful and bubbly, and those who enjoy the social scene would love Southwest Baptist University.
Savannah
07/17/2020
I absolutely love it! The Christian element encourages me so much and the people and professor are amazing! The professor will always be there for you and encourage you to keep going. Since the class are smaller then they have more time for individuals. The atmosphere is wonderful!
Zikia
04/27/2020
Southwest Baptist has allowed me to meet a large amount of God-fearing people and enabled me to grow in my faith. SBU was not my dream school and due to other factors, I went and fell in love with it. I came in with a lot of stereotypes about going to a Christian university, but they knocked down all the barriers and I love the environment and the staff is helpful at any time.
Iosif
02/04/2020
I think it is a healthy environment for students to grow and learn.
Ashlyn
05/28/2019
I think SBU has potential, but they seem to care more about keeping people on campus, with excessive hoops to jump through to get off, than making sure students are healthy in their living situation. They seem to go for cheap over quality on housing and food accommodations. They also don't seem to care that the food quality is horrible and that the students seem to be begging for another provider. Other than that, the education is great and most professors are available to help in most situations. The professors really do care about students' success. It's mainly some of the administration that may need to be changed out. What they sell on the tours isn't all that it seems.
Faith
04/01/2019
It is a very wonderful and welcoming campus. I felt very at home and like I could get help anytime I needed. Everyone has been very helpful and I haven’t felt lost once. They try to make sure that everyone is involved in something and that no matter what you want to do there’s a place for you on campus.
Katelyn
03/14/2019
The academia and environment of Southwest Baptist University is outstanding. The professors are always there to make sure students are well-informed and challenged. They will even help with life advice or financial aid help. The special programs like Theatre and Speech and Debate are excellent. I know that the Speech and Debate team are currently ranked 5th in the nation based on last years tournament. The tennis team is by far my favorite sport to watch on campus and it located right next to all of the academia buildings. I would recommend this school to any future student looking for a safe but fun campus. There are many fun and encouraging events on campus like movie nights, craft nights, grocery bingo, and more. I highly recommend this University as a school that will challenge you and positively impact you.
Mikayla
03/09/2019
SBU is a great school for students seeking a Christ-centered education and community. SBU's staff are caring and want their students to succeed. The class sizes are small, so students and Professors can interact on a more intimate level versus a huge lecture hall of hundreds of students that big public universities have. SBU is a great school, and I am glad I chose to attend this university.
Kayti
02/06/2019
I love the small class sizes and the abilities we have to grow as individuals while still growing in our faith. This school has taught me that you can have your own opinions but still be part of a religious community. I have learned so much academically as well. The professors are all very helpful and easily accessible
Moriah
09/28/2018
Southwest Baptist University is an academically inclined college. The staff is always around to help and answer any questions, and the students are very friendly. My application was a quick process, and my admissions counselor is always here to answer my questions. It might look like an expensive college, but after you fill out scholarships it is affordable. I would recommend this college to anyone.
tommy
09/11/2018
it sound like i would be going there
Kaitlyn
05/17/2018
Southwest Baptist University is such a wonderful school and campus. Every Faculty member utterly cares about the success and well being of each student and tat is not an exaggeration! I have yet to find another university that carries the same type of genuine benevolence!
Pamela
01/20/2018
Southwest Baptist University is a Christ-centered university, with many opportunities and people that can deepen your knowledge and relationship with Christ. It is also has many degrees for almost any profession and multiple professors to help with your success. I highly recommend SBU!
Haley
12/16/2017
Southwest Baptist is a very close-knit community that watches out for each other. I have gone here for one semester and have made so many friendships already! The professors are very helpful and care about how their students are doing. The smaller class sizes are beneficial as well.
James
10/31/2017
Terrible. Bad management. Spiritually drowning. No gain out of it, besides a couple of friends. Most of the people transfer out after a year. I went in with a full scholarship and somehow came out and they told me that I owed 2,000 and wouldn't transfer over my transcript. Just an overall bad experience and not only for me, but for my family, and for people that I went there with.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Southwest Baptist University is 89%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
I would tell myself not to worry about going off to college. It is diffferent but a great new chapter to my life. Just live it up college is a time to re-event yourself. Just have fun and be yourself. You learn alot and just don't shut down and lock yourself in your room.
What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?
Theres not much I didnt know before coming. My softball coach, who attended the school as well had me fairly prepared. If I had to pick though it would be lack of diversity because I come from a big city, and then came to a small town.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
I personally wouldn't know very well what is truly worst about SBU because I am not very invested in the campus life. I live off-campus and am relatively reclusive outside of attending classes, so my lack of investment is a fault of my own rather than the college. I personally dislike the presence of the football program as it seems to only drain funds on the college.
SBU is primarily known as a conservative, Christian private university with caring faculty and staff, and excellent programs in physical therapy, education, and business.
The best thing about my school is the community feel of the the college. It produces the movers and shakers of tomorrow by instilling a desire to be global leaders while keeping life personal.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
That it is small and fits me. The school goes out it's way to help students fit in during freshmen year. They have even created a new program that each dorm has taken and fit it to themselves. My dorm had the big sister program, it turned out good and more people are planning to stay in the dorm.
My classmates are highly encouraging and hard-working students who always seem to know the right thing to say when you need a kind or uplifting word. They are also very supportive and intelligent individuals.
Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!
Southwest Baptist University is a Christ-centered college which is the main reason I decided on attending there. My faith is very important to me and I believe SBU helps prepare me to be someone who is Christ-centered as well.
I believe that all students can attend this school. The campus and school are very oriented toward a Christian lfestyle but the main goal of the University is to prepare students for life out of school. The people here are interesting, helpful, god loving people that want to pursue a career like any other student. It is a great campus for student activities, school spirit, class and major selection, as well as participating in athletics. Overall, it is a University that all students are worthy of.
The classes have a small number of students, which is great for learning. A typical general education class has around 20-30 students usually, with the classes like biology having a higher number of students. Now that I am into classes for my major, I usually have classes with about 10 people. That number varies between majors. I personally love the class sizes and how the teachers know me by name.
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
100% of students attending Southwest Baptist University receive some sort of financial aid.
67% were awarded federal grants.67%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
