32 Interesting Facts about Baylor University

Dan March 13, 2023

Baylor University is a private Christian university located in Waco, Texas. It was founded in 1845 and is the oldest continually operating university in the state. Baylor offers over 250 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across various disciplines such as business, engineering, education, law, and medicine. It is also known for its strong research programs in areas such as health sciences, computational sciences, and materials sciences.

The university has a diverse student population of around 19,000, representing all 50 states and over 90 countries. Baylor’s faculty members are distinguished scholars and experts in their respective fields, and the university is committed to providing a high-quality education that emphasizes critical thinking, leadership, and service.

Baylor has a strong athletic program, with 19 varsity sports teams that compete in the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference. The university is best known for its men’s and women’s basketball teams, which have both enjoyed considerable success in recent years. In addition to sports, Baylor has a vibrant student life that includes over 300 student organizations and numerous cultural events and performances.

Baylor’s campus is situated on over 1,000 acres along the Brazos River and features state-of-the-art facilities such as the Baylor Sciences Building and the McLane Stadium. The university also has a strong commitment to sustainability and has implemented numerous initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.

Baylor University

What about interesting facts about Baylor University? Here are 32 interesting facts about Baylor University.

1. Baylor University is named after Judge R.E.B. Baylor, a Baptist leader and Texas legislator.
2. Baylor’s mascot is the bear, and the school’s colors are green and gold.
3. The official motto of Baylor University is “Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana,” which means “For Church, For Texas.”
4. Baylor University has been ranked as one of the top universities in Texas and the United States by various publications, including U.S. News & World Report.
5. Baylor University is a private Christian university affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
6. Baylor University has a student population of approximately 19,000, with students from all 50 U.S. states and more than 90 countries.
7. Baylor University has more than 250 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across various disciplines, including business, engineering, education, law, and medicine.
8. Baylor University has a strong focus on research, with research expenditures totaling more than $260 million in 2020.
9. Baylor University has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1, and more than 80% of classes have fewer than 30 students.
10. Baylor University has produced numerous notable alumni, including Olympic gold medalist Michael Johnson, former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, and country music artist Pat Green.
11. Baylor University has a strong athletic program, with 19 varsity sports teams that compete in the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference.
12. Baylor University has won four national championships in women’s basketball and one in men’s tennis.
13. Baylor University has a number of traditions, including the Baylor Line, a group of freshmen who run onto the football field before each game.
14. Baylor University has a beautiful campus that covers more than 1,000 acres along the Brazos River.
15. Baylor University has a number of iconic buildings on campus, including the Pat Neff Hall, the Armstrong Browning Library, and the McLane Stadium.
16. Baylor University has a strong commitment to sustainability, with numerous initiatives in place to reduce the university’s environmental impact.
17. Baylor University has a number of research centers and institutes, including the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty and the Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion.
18. Baylor University has a number of student organizations, including the Baylor Student Government, the Baylor Religious Hour Choir, and the Baylor Debate Society.
19. Baylor University has a number of museums on campus, including the Mayborn Museum Complex and the Armstrong Browning Library.
20. Baylor University has a strong tradition of service, with many students participating in community service projects and mission trips.
21. Baylor University has a number of notable faculty members, including Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert Olen Butler and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans.
22. Baylor University has a number of notable guest speakers who have visited campus, including former President George W. Bush and Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman.
23. Baylor University has a number of international partnerships, including programs with universities in China, Germany, and Uganda.
24. Baylor University has a number of programs for student-athletes, including the Baylor Bear Foundation and the Baylor Athletics Hall of Fame.
25. Baylor University has a number of alumni networks and associations, including the Baylor Alumni Association and the Baylor Business Network.
26. Baylor University has a number of initiatives to support diversity and inclusion on campus, including the Baylor Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Plan.
27. Baylor University has a number of programs and centers focused on health and wellness, including the Baylor Scott & White Health Clinical Simulation Center and the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty’s Healthy Harvest program.
28. Baylor University has a strong commitment to entrepreneurship, with programs such as the John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise and the Baylor Angel Network.
29. Baylor University has a number of study abroad programs, with opportunities to study in countries such as France, Germany, and Australia.
30. Baylor University has a strong commitment to sustainability, with initiatives such as the Baylor Sustainability Committee and the Baylor Green Initiative.
31. Baylor University has a number of notable literary and artistic figures associated with the school, including authors William Faulkner and Truman Capote and sculptor Paul Manship.
32. Baylor University has a number of programs focused on social justice and advocacy, including the Baylor Public Interest Legal Society and the Baylor Ethics Bowl.

Baylor University is a prestigious private Christian university that has a rich history and a strong commitment to academic excellence, research, service, and community engagement. With its beautiful campus, top-notch faculty, and vibrant student life, Baylor provides students with a unique and enriching educational experience that prepares them to become leaders in their fields and make a positive impact in their communities and the world. Whether pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree, students at Baylor have access to a wide range of academic programs, research opportunities, and extracurricular activities that help them grow intellectually, socially, and spiritually. Overall, Baylor University is a remarkable institution that continues to set the standard for higher education in Texas and beyond.