Baylor Sets Record Four-Year Graduation Rate, Announces Fall Enrollment
Graduating in four years is key component for keeping a Baylor education affordable
Baylor University students walk to classes in the heart of campus on Fifth Street looking back toward Rosenbalm Fountain and the ALICO building in downtown Waco. (Robert Rogers/Baylor University)
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A record number of Baylor University students graduated with their degrees in four years, a key component for keeping a highly valued Baylor education affordable and attainable.
Baylor’s Office of Institutional Research released the University’s four-year and six-year graduation rates. The four-year graduation rate rose to a record-high 77.5% in 2026 while the six-year graduation rate declined slightly to 80.4%, still the University’s fourth-highest completion rate.
Over the past nine years, Baylor’s four-year graduation rate has increased 14% to today’s record levels. A University priority, timely graduation aligns with the goals of the Baylor in Deeds strategic plan to develop and improve robust systems that actively guide undergraduate students toward graduation in four years. With undergraduate retention remaining strong at 91.8%, more students are on pace to graduate within four years, which points to the impact of strong student success initiatives alongside the University’s firm commitment in its strategic plan to affordability and degree completion.
“Graduating in four years is one of the most meaningful ways we can keep a Baylor education affordable, and more of our students are doing it than ever before,” said Rishi Sriram, Ph.D., vice provost for undergraduate education at Baylor. “This record reflects the devotion of faculty, staff and student leaders who work hard to help our students succeed. We are seeing the fruit of Baylor's commitment to student flourishing.”
Fall 2026 enrollment, Truett tops 500 student mark
Baylor also has announced its official Fall 2026 enrollment, highlighted by record enrollment at Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Truett Seminary topped 500 students for the first time in its 32-year history by enrolling 558 students, continuing Truett’s four-year trend of fall-to-fall enrollment growth.
The University enrolled an outstanding freshman class of 3,340 students, the majority coming from the top 15% of their high school class. More than 30% of Baylor freshmen are from out of state, representing 48 U.S. States and 34 countries.
Overall, Baylor has enrolled 19,748 students this fall, with undergraduate enrollment remaining steady at 13,860 students, who are from all 50 U.S. States, plus the District of Columbia and 85 countries. Enrollment among graduate and professional education stands at 5,888 students.
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 nearly 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 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.