Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Baldwin City, Kansas
92.1% Acceptance Rate
Baker University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
92.1%Acceptance Rate
3.45Avg GPA
950Avg SAT
17Avg ACT
$48,117Annual Cost
$63,855Grad Salary
23.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
92.1%
Avg GPA
3.45
Avg SAT
950
Avg ACT
17
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
910–980
ACT Middle 50%
13–21
Need-Based Aid
23.9% receive Pell
Baker University (KS) is a private, liberal arts institution that emphasizes academic excellence and mentorship. Admissions are selective, evaluating students on their potential to succeed in a rigorous, student-centered curriculum. They value applicants with demonstrated leadership in their high school extracurriculars.
Baker University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Baker University is inclusive by design. 92.1% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 92.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.45 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.25 – 3.44
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.00
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Baker University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Baker University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
BU reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
BU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at BU is 3.45. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.15–3.45 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.65–3.85.BU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.45 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.25 – 3.44
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.05 – 3.24
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.04
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Baker's BSN program follows a 2+2 model: prerequisites and traditional campus life at Baldwin City for two years, then two years of professional nursing coursework and clinicals at Stormont Vail Health in Topeka (an ANCC Magnet-designated hospital); general nursing admission requires a 2.70+ prerequisite GPA, with 3.0+ GPA giving priority admission consideration.
- Nursing admission includes a required faculty interview evaluating communication, ethical reasoning, and critical-thinking skills; Baker reports a 90%+ first-time NCLEX pass rate and 95% of graduates employed in Kansas within three months of graduation.
- All students participate in a mandatory January Term (J-Term) allowing focus on a single course, an internship, or study abroad.
- Founded in 1858, Baker is the oldest continually operating institution of higher learning in Kansas; its Baldwin City campus is a registered arboretum, Greek life plays a dominant role in campus social structure, and the university is Methodist-affiliated with weekly chapel and no classes held during chapel time.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at BU
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Baker University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Baker University (BU) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at BU. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into BU Without SAT or ACT?
BU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Baker University Average SAT Score: 950
Admitted students at Baker University average a 950 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 950 — Accessible
A 950 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (980 SAT or 21 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Baker University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 910? A retake is worth it at BU. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 950 | 910 | 980 |
A score under 910 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 980+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 950
Can I get into Baker University (BU) with a 1000 SAT?
At 1000, your SAT is squarely in BU's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Baker University (BU) ACT Requirements
BU's admitted students average an ACT of 17.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 17 — Accessible
An average of 17 means even a modest ACT score can strengthen your application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 17 | 14 | 19 |
| ACT English | 17 | 12 | 22 |
| ACT Composite | 17 | 13 | 21 |
Can I get into Baker University with a 21 ACT?
At 21, you're in the top quarter of BU's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, BU weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for BU
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
BU's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Understand the 2+2 nursing model - two years of traditional campus life, then two years at a Magnet hospital campus
Baker's BSN structure has students complete prerequisites and traditional undergraduate life (Greek life, athletics, residential campus) for two years at Baldwin City, then move to Baker's School of Nursing on the Stormont Vail Health campus in Topeka - a Magnet-designated hospital for nursing excellence - for two years of professional coursework. Plan for this literal campus change (and likely relocation to Topeka) partway through the degree.
Hit the 3.0 GPA threshold in prerequisites for priority nursing admission, not just the 2.70 minimum
The general minimum GPA for nursing admission is 2.70 in prerequisite coursework, but students who complete prerequisites at Baker with a 3.0+ cumulative GPA (and 3.0+ in math/science) receive priority admission - plus a required faculty interview evaluating communication skills and ethical reasoning. Treat 3.0 as the real target from day one, since priority admission determines who gets first access to Stormont Vail's limited seats.
Plan around the mandatory January Term (J-Term) for an internship, single-course focus, or study abroad
Baker's January Term is a dedicated academic period between fall and spring semesters for a single course, an internship, or study abroad - genuine academic real estate to use strategically. Ask an academic advisor early about which J-Term options align with a specific career goal.
Consider Greek life's outsized role in Baldwin City campus culture when evaluating social fit
Fraternity and sorority membership is described as a dominant organizing structure for social life at Baker's Baldwin City campus, with most major social events centered around Greek organizations - a genuinely relevant fit factor to weigh directly through a campus visit or current-student conversations.
Expert Insight:
Don't assume Baker's overall high acceptance rate (historically around 88-99%) means the School of Nursing is equally accessible - nursing admission is a distinct, competitive process based on prerequisite GPA (overall and math/science-specific), number of prerequisite courses completed, and a required faculty interview, and general Baker acceptance does not guarantee a nursing seat at Stormont Vail Health.
BU Profile
Full Name
Baker University (BU)
City
Baldwin City
State
Kansas
ZIP Code
66006-0065
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a BU Degree Worth It?
At $48,117/year against a $63,855 median graduate salary, BU is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $67,800, and graduates see a 2.51% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from BU Cost?
Listed tuition runs $48,117/year at BU. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At BU, 23.9% receive a Pell Grant and 44.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming BU on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a BU Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, BU graduates report a median income of $63,855, about 57% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Baker University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | 916 | 16 |
| Bethune-Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL | 913 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Trinity College of Florida | Trinity, FL | 905 | 19 |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Wesleyan College | Macon, GA | 905 | NA |
| Morningside University | Sioux City, IA | 910 | 17 |
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette, IA | 929 | 18 |
| Kentucky State University | Frankfort, KY | 910 | 17 |
| Southern University and A & M College | Baton Rouge, LA | 938 | 17 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Baker University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 955 | 17 |
| Avila University | Kansas City, MO | 942 | 18 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Baker University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
Degree Programs at BU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About BU Admissions
Baker University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $63,855/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Baker University is moderate, around $48,117/year; many students supplement with aid.
23.9% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Baker University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Baker University's acceptance rate is 92.1%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Baker University students is 3.45, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.15 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Baker University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.05 or below makes admission tougher at Baker University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Baker University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 950, and within the 910–980 range, keeps you competitive.
Baker University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before February 1, 2026. That's Baker University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.