Baylor Rises to National Top 10, No. 1 in Texas as Top Producer of Fulbright U.S. Students

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The Fulbright Program today recognized Baylor University as one of the nation’s elite top 10 producers of students and recent alumni selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. The honor comes after a record-shattering year in which 24 students and recent alumni earned the Fulbright to study, conduct research and teach English abroad during the 2025-26 academic year. In addition, Baylor maintained its position as the No. 1 Fulbright producer among Texas college and universities and among Big 12 institutions.

Baylor’s fourth consecutive Fulbright Top Producing Institutions honor distinguishes the University for valuing global connection and supporting members of the Baylor community to pursue international opportunities. Baylor joins a prestigious list of the nation's top 10 of Fulbright producers: Georgetown University, Brown University, Harvard University, Yale University, Dartmouth College, Columbia University, New York University, Princeton University and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

The Fulbright Program, established in 1946, is the U.S. government’s premier international academic exchange program.  Each year, it provides opportunities for exceptional Americans and participants from 160 countries and locations to study, teach and conduct research abroad, advancing knowledge, science and industry through international exchange and collaboration. Fulbright Alumni achieve distinction and are recognized as leaders in government, business, science, technology, research, education and the arts.

“As a Christian Research 1 university, Baylor is committed to preparing students to flourish globally, which reflects the University’s motto Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana, Pro Mundo and our extraordinary momentum as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution,” President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., said. “For four consecutive years, Baylor has stood among the nation’s elite in Fulbright success, and I’m so proud of our record 24 Baylor Fulbrighters, who are studying, teaching and conducting research abroad while also fostering mutual understanding in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. I am deeply grateful for the Office of Engaged Learning and our world-class faculty, who prepare our students to lead with wisdom, service and global perspective – now and for the future.”

Baylor’s Office of Engaged Learning (OEL) leads the Fulbright effort on the Baylor campus by helping students and recent alumni discover and navigate the pathways to apply their learning to promote human flourishing, including through the Fulbright U.S. Student program. Baylor Fulbright applicants are supported by four Fulbright Program advisers, as well as more than 150 faculty who support applicants through interviews, recommendations and mentoring.

“Earning recognition as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution for the fourth consecutive year speaks to something far larger than a ranking,” said Andrew P. Hogue, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Engaged Learning, Senior Lecturer and Master Teacher in the College of Arts & Sciences. “It reflects the strength of a Baylor education – one that equips students with the curiosity, character and global perspectives needed to lead and serve in places far beyond our campus. This achievement is also a testament to the extraordinary Baylor faculty and staff who invest deeply in mentoring our students, inspiring them toward lives of purpose and global impact. These Fulbrighters join a growing Baylor Line of Fulbrighters making a difference all over the world, and we are extraordinarily proud.”

Record semi-finalists, record recipients

Baylor students have enjoyed mounting success with the Fulbright in recent years. Over the last four Fulbright cycles, Baylor has produced 69 Fulbright recipients. Last year, half of the University’s 48 semi-finalists were selected for the Fulbright. During the early notification period for the 2026-27 award cycle, Baylor so far has 35 Fulbright semi-finalists, with more notifications anticipated soon.

“We are so thrilled that Baylor has been named a Top Producing Institution for a fourth straight year. It is a great joy not only to see those selected get a once in a lifetime opportunity to live in another country for a year and teach English, complete a graduate degree, or conduct research, but also to watch how the Fulbright awards launch them into remarkable careers spanning academic disciplines that make a positive impact on the world around them,” said Daniel Benyousky, Ph.D., director of major fellowships and awards in OEL. “This would not be possible without the exceptional mentoring Baylor faculty provide as they teach, guide research, and write recommendation letters and language evaluations, as well as the strong support of Baylor administration."

Baylor will soon launch its application process for the upcoming Fulbright cycle (2027-2028) and is holding sessions and workshops throughout February and early March to help students decide if they want to apply. U.S. citizens who graduate this year or next, alumni and graduate students are eligible.

Momentum from Baylor University’s success in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program has extended to Baylor faculty, who have been selected for six Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards over the past four years. Faculty and staff, as well as students and alumni, who are considering Fulbright opportunities can discover more information on a dedicated Baylor Fulbright website, a collaborative effort by OEL and the Center for Global Engagement at Baylor.

Fulbright is a program of the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government. Participating governments and partner institutions, corporations and foundations around the world also provide direct and indirect support to the Program. 

Fulbright alumni work to make a positive impact on their communities, sectors, and the world and have included 44 heads of state or government, 63 Nobel Laureates, 93 Pulitzer Prize winners, 83 MacArthur Fellows and countless leaders all sectors and industries across the United States and around the world.  

For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit fulbrightprogram.org.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.

ABOUT THE OFFICE OF ENGAGED LEARNING

The Office of Engaged Learning at Baylor University is a central hub of programs through which students discover opportunities to maximize their undergraduate education by learning beyond the classroom. OEL brings together mentoring opportunities for students across fields of study, empowering undergraduates to deepen learning by participating in faculty-led research, apply burgeoning academic expertise to work for the good of the community, broaden and diversify understanding through global involvement, and gain valuable professional experience through internships, especially in research and public service. In addition, OEL provides opportunities for students to compete for major fellowships and awards, including the Fulbright, Truman, Rhodes, Marshall or Churchill that support post-graduate study, research or international engagement, and other notable undergraduate awards such as the Goldwater, Boren, Critical Language Scholarship, Gilman and NSF-REU that fund student research and study.