Baylor University vs university of colorado boulder

Baylor University, Waco, Texas, is a private Christian research university that enrolls approximately 21,000 students. It is famous for merging academic excellence with the spiritual learning environment. The admissions are moderately selective with an acceptance rate of approximately 51%. Its popular programs consist of Business, Nursing, Health Sciences, Law, and Education. Baylor boasts a six-year graduation rate of around 79%, and its graduates receive average starting salaries ranging from USD $54,000–59,000 (INR 45–49 lakhs) per annum.

The University of Colorado (CU Boulder) is a public research university in Boulder, Colorado, enrolling around 36,000 students. It is particularly well-known for its Aerospace Engineering, Environmental Science, Business, Physics, and Computer Science programs. The admissions are relatively easier, with an acceptance rate of around 81%. CU Boulder has a graduation rate of around 71%, and its graduates command average starting salaries of USD $55,000–60,000 (INR 46–50 lakhs) per year.

Overview Comparison
Baylor UniversityUniversity of Colorado
Collegedunia Score4.2 Out of 105.7 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 801 Times Higher Education 2026
# 1001 QS World University 2026
# 528 Center for World University Rankings 2025
# 159 Times Higher Education 2026
# 299 QS World University 2026
# 75 Center for World University Rankings 2025
Subject Strength# 163 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 190 for Medicine by US News 2022
# 43 for Law by US News 2025
# 20 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 351 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 46 for Law by US News 2025
ProgramsUG Programs -112
PG Programs -21
UG Programs -85
PG Programs -65
Acceptance Rate51.0 %81.0 %
Exam ScoreIELTS-6.5
SAT-1190
TOEFL-90
GMAT-693
IELTS-6.5
SAT-1150
TOEFL-100
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   42842
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  38472
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 27435 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   39020
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  33946
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 26426 Per Year
placement (average package)

85% of students seeking employment were placed within 6 months of graduation. $55,000 is the average salary of the graduates. Top employers include E&Y, KPMG, Oracle, Deloitte, Amazon, AT&T, PWC, Accenture etc.


Graduate Employability Ranking: #201-250. More than 300 companies hired 805 Business graduates last year with 6.48% beig international students. Prominent companies visiting the campus are Deloitte, EY, Oracle, KPMG, Morgan Stanley, Gusto, RSM, Fortune 100. 
Master in Finance: $123,000
MBA: 117,000
Master in Science: $125,000
Doctorate: $92,000
 


application requirements

Submit official transcripts

Submit essay

Submit exam scores

Submit English language proficiency

Check program specific requirements

Country Specific Course Work Requirements.
Indian students- Course average to be 50-59% or above Indian grading scale, HSC, HSSC, Intermediate certificates required for first year students
Accepts unofficial transcripts and school certificates on a case by case basis
 

CollegeDunia Reviews7.7/10 Read 2 reviews7.4/10 Read 5 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 151 for Business by QS World University 2026
# 54 for Business by US News 2025
# 401 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 79 for Business by US News 2025
# 301 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 401 for Business by QS World University 2025
exam scoresDuolingo - 125/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 60/90TOEFL - 80/120Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 54/90TOEFL - 80/120
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -25869Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -35098
application datesDec 1, 2023 (Application Deadline For Spring Intake)
Feb 15, 2024 (Application Deadline For Fall Intake)
May 1, 2024 (Application Deadline For Summer Intake)
Mar 5, 2025 (Final Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Jul 30, 2025 (GyanDhan Postgraduate Scholarship Deadline)
Aug 1, 2025 (Course Start Date for 2025 Intake)
Oct 7, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Dec 2, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Feb 3, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Feb 5, 2026 (Tuition and fee bill payment deadline)
Feb 13, 2026 (Enrollment deadline for Health Insurance Selection)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsBaylor UniversityUniversity of Colorado
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1845
1876
Student:Faculty Ratio15:1
19:1
Male:Female41% Male, 59% Female51% Male, 49% Female
Location Facts

Baylor University is a private Baptist Christian research university in Waco, Texas. 


CU Boulder campus is located south of Pearl Street Mall and east of Chautauqua Auditorium. It is ranked as one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States by Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler. The engineering center houses the largest geotechnical centrifuge of the US. Museum of natural history, Mary Rippon Theatre, Macky Auditorium and Memorial Center are major attractions in and around the campus. 


Library

The Baylor Libraries support the mission of the University by undergirding scholarship, fostering teaching and learning, and building communities.


The university holds 5 libraries: Busineer Library features Course reserves, Earth Sciences and Map Library has National Geologic Map Database, Engineering, Math and Physics Library has vast collection of ANSI, ASTM standards, Waltz Music Library houses music research collection and Norlin Library stacks exclusive Asian studies collection. Total collection of Titles is over 6.8 million, Electronic Books is 1. 3 million and Volumes (print and electronic) is 8.8 million. 


Campus Life

More than 16,000 students study at Baylor University, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia and approximately 89 foreign countries. The university clubs and organizations provide each student with an opportunity to become engaged with an organization that shares his or her interests.At Baylor, 36 percent of students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 64 percent of students live off campus.  Approximately 14 percent of undergraduate men are members of fraternities, and 21 percent of undergraduate women are members of a sorority. Every semester, students participate in various intramural sports. Students build teams within campus organizations, sororities/fraternities, residence halls, and personal friend groups. Baylor student athletes participate in NCAA Division I as part of the Big 12 Conference. Baylor has many traditions that have developed since the university was founded. Some take the form of annual celebrations, while others are symbolized in memorials. The Baylor Chamber of Commerce is the oldest student organization on the campus that is responsible for most of the school's traditions.


University houses numerous organisations like the Hiking Club (longest running student organisation from 1919), KVCU AM-1190 known as Radio 1190, Boulder Freeride (Ski and Snowboard club), CU Cycling Club, Left Right TIM Improv Comedy, Umbrella Improv initiative. The Herd is the largest student alumni group in the US. Campus is known for its eateries with students preferring center for community, St Paddys iand Halloweekend are the biggest party events of the year. 


Hostel#Off campus (not with family) - $11448
#On campus - $12163
#Off campus (with family) - $3824
#Off campus (not with family) - $12428
#On campus - $13998
Famous Alumni

Mark Hurd, CEO of the Oracle Corporation and former CEO of Hewlett-Packard

David Crowder, GMA Dove Award-winning Christian recording artist

Robert Griffin III, Quarterback and winner of the 2011 Heisman Trophy

Trey Wingo, Co-host of ESPN's SportsCenter

Gary W. Keller, Author and co-founder of Keller Williams Realty


Kristin Davis (Actress), John Fante (Writer), Jared Polis (Governor of Colorado), Jack Collom (Poet),Albert Allen Bartlett (Professor), Scott Jurek (Public Speaker), Michael Grab (Photographer), Bill Bower (Pilot), Kimbal Musk (Philanthropist), Chief Niwot (Tribal Leader), Larry Sellers (Actor), Evans Woollen III (Architect), Phil Plait (Astronomer).


City Life

Waco, Texas is a vibrant city located in Central Texas. Here locals and visitors alike can enjoy plenty of activities from visiting the historic Magnolia Market, participating in one of the many festivals throughout the year, or simply exploring the downtown area. With its excellent schools, thriving businesses and plenty of recreational opportunities it's no wonder why so many people choose to make Waco their home. There are also numerous dining options, shopping centers and entertainment venues available for those looking for some fun.


Located at the foothills of Rocky Mountain, Boulder is the municipality of Colorado. The city is prominently known for its art, health, well-being, quality of life and education. Surrounded by thousands of acres of recreational spaces and parks, events like Polar Bear Plunge, Naked Pumpkin Run, Boulder Cruiser Ride are eye catching. USA Rugby is headquartered in the city. Unemployment rate of the county is 9.2% as of June 2020 but there was a rise of 3% in non-farm payroll jobs past year mainly contributed by business service sector, leisure and hospitality.


Weather
Comparison Notes

Baylor University vs University of Colorado Boulder

Subject Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)

The University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is placed at approximately 299 in QS 2026 and 143 in THE 2026, with very high international reputation in Engineering, Environmental Science, Physics, Business, and Aerospace. Baylor University, a Christian private university, is placed at approximately 1001-1200 in QS 2026 and 601-800 in THE 2026, with specific areas of strengths in Business, Health Sciences, Law, and Education. CU Boulder is more research-focused, whereas Baylor focuses on a mix of academics, religion, and community involvement.

General Information

CU Boulder was established in 1876 and is a large public research institution with approximately 39,000 students. It is Colorado's flagship university and is a Carnegie R1 research university. Baylor, established in 1845 in Waco, Texas, is a private Baptist research university and has approximately 20,000 students, providing a faith-based but academically challenging education.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Baylor has an acceptance rate of 51%, moderately selective with stronger competition in Business, Health Sciences, and Pre-Law. CU Boulder has an acceptance rate of ~81%, more open overall, though programs in Engineering, Business, and Computer Science are becoming more competitive.

Research Impact & Facilities

CU Boulder is very research-intensive, boasting the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), the JILA physics institute, and collaborations with NASA. It is particularly famous for aerospace and environmental studies. Baylor, while smaller in scope, is heavily funding health, medicine, and STEM research, with a focus in law and ethics, theology, and healthcare policy.

Cost & Financial Aid

CU Boulder's fee is approximately $13,000 for in-state and $35,000 for out-of-state undergraduates per year. Baylor is a private university, and its fee is approximately $55,000 per year, but it provides generous merit-based and need-based scholarships, which can lower costs dramatically for eligible students.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

CU Boulder graduates are highly respected in STEM fields, aerospace, research, and business and have close connections with organizations such as Lockheed Martin, Google, and IBM. Baylor graduates succeed in business, medicine, law, public service, and non-profit fields through a tight alumni network and focus on leadership and service.