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Southwest Baptist University

Southwest Baptist University

Bolivar, MO · Town · 1,341 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$21,677
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
53%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$43,112
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
68%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Southwest Baptist University (SBU) is a private, Christ-centered liberal arts institution in Bolivar, Missouri, known for integrating biblical faith with rigorous academics. The university features highly regarded programs across the health sciences—most notably its competitive Doctor of Physical Therapy and nursing tracks—as well as strong offerings in education, business, and Christian ministry. Campus life is shaped by a close-knit, faith-driven community offering regular chapel services, active student organizations, and NCAA Division II Bearcat athletics. Setting SBU apart is its Center for Global Connections, one of the nation's premier short-term mission programs, which sends hundreds of students each year on service and study projects around the world.

Wikipedia:Southwest Baptist University (SBU) is a private university in Bolivar, Missouri, United States. It is affiliated with the Missouri Baptist Convention, which is part of the Southern Baptist Convention. In 2023, it had a total enrollment of 2,168 students.

Location
Bolivar, MO, 65613-2596 · Town campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MCI · Kansas City
137 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$30,566
Housing & food (on campus)$9,776
Books & supplies$980
Cost of attendance$43,000
Average net price$21,677
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$30,566
Housing & food (on campus)$9,776
Books & supplies$980
Cost of attendance$43,000
Average net price$21,677
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.sbuniv.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Southwest Baptist University’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$30,500
Fees$2,000
Housing$4,000
Food$6,500
Total published by the school$43,000
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$21,978
$30–48k
$17,947
$48–75k
$19,633
$75–110k
$22,016
$110k+
$23,857
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
53%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
46%
Back for yr 2
65%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
47% graduated · 33% transferred · 20% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$38,855
10 yrs after entry$43,112
Debt
Median at graduation$20,957
Monthly payment$222
Middle 50% owe$5.7k–$25k
90th percentile$34,125
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
68%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1088
R 430–610 · M 380–600
ACT midpoint
22
Comp 17–26 · E 16–26 · M 16–25
SAT middle 50%: 810–1210
40080012001600

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Essay prompts

If Southwest Baptist University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 38%Women 62%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
10 : 1
Pell grant
36%
First-gen
35%
Family income
$35,563
Independent
36%
Age at entry
23.0
Part-time
21%
Race & ethnicity
White
73%
Hispanic
2%
Black
7%
Asian
1%
Two or more
4%
Non-resident
1%
AI/AN
1%
Unknown
10%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II with football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Beach Volleyball
    Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Other Sports
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$38,855
After 10 yrs
$43,112
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing51
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness47
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods35
Psychology, General29
Computer Science21
Business Administration, Management and Operations19
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas12
Mathematics11
Theological and Ministerial Studies10
Health and Medical Administrative Services10
Biology, General9
Social Work8
Criminal Justice and Corrections7
Computer and Information Sciences, General6
Accounting and Related Services5
Marketing5
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$31M
Full-time faculty
39%
Faculty salary
$6,072/mo
Teaching spend
$10,376
per student
Federal loans
50%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

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