Houston Baptist University is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Houston Baptist University (HBU) is 84.48%. This means that 84 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
How Competitiveness is Houston Baptist University Admissions?
- Slightly Competitive: Applicants need average academics and extracurriculars.
- GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
- A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.
Although the acceptance rate is high, remember that to secure admission to any institution of higher learning, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies. Your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. If you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as HBU is not very strict in its admission, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.
To enhance your chances of admission, perform well in academics and other activities. If your GPA is not excellent, compensate by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.
Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can improve your chances of admission.
Houston Baptist University Admission Requirements
HBU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at HBU is 3.46. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A’s and B’s is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
If your GPA is between 3.16 and 3.46, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score. A minimum GPA of 3.06 is required.
Can I Get Into HBU Without SAT Or ACT?: Houston Baptist University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.
Houston Baptist University (HBU) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
Houston Baptist University Average SAT Score: 1147
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Houston Baptist University is 1147 on the 1600 SAT scale.
Houston Baptist University SAT Competitiveness
This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1147 on the SAT.
Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1230 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Houston Baptist University allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1060, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to HBU. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
Houston Baptist University SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 570 | 530 | 610 |
| SAT Reading | 575 | 530 | 620 |
| SAT Composite | 1147 | 1060 | 1230 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1060 then you are below most of the admitted students at HBU and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1230 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into Houston Baptist University (HBU) with a 1250 SAT?
With a 1250 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Houston Baptist University (HBU) are good but the admission staff at HBU tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Houston Baptist University (HBU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at HBU is 24.
Houston Baptist University ACT Competitiveness
This score makes Houston Baptist University slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to well to score 24 on the ACT.
Houston Baptist University ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 22 | 19 | 24 |
| ACT English | 24 | 20 | 28 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 22 | 26 |
Can I get into Houston Baptist University with a 26 ACT?
With a 26 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Houston Baptist University are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.
SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send
You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to the average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at Houston Baptist University. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your score on the SAT is near the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.
But there is more, if both of your scores are in the same range, then it is better to send an ACT Score, as in the case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.
Here is how: When sending the ACT Score, you can decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.
View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 24.HBU Profile
Name: Houston Baptist University (HBU)
City: Houston
URL: https://www.hbu.edu/
State: Texas
Type: Non-Profit Private
Zip: 77074-3298
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
How much does a degree from HBU Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Houston Baptist University is USD: 46360. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Houston Baptist University is much less than this.
How can I get a scholarship?
52.12% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 55.11 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to HBU and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Houston Baptist University, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist HBU as your choice in the form.
How much a HBU Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the HBU graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 55933. An average HBU graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Houston Baptist University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of Houston Baptist University, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | University of South Alabama, AL | 1118 | 23 |
| Arkansas State University | Arkansas State University, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | University of Central Arkansas, AR | 1118 | 22 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa Pacific University, CA | 1132 | 25 |
| University of La Verne | University of La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| William Jessup University | William Jessup University, CA | 1130 | NA |
| Southern California Institute of Architecture | Southern California Institute of Architecture, CA | 1100 | NA |
| University of Northern Colorado | University of Northern Colorado, CO | 1106 | 24 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Western Connecticut State University, CT | 1126 | 24 |
| Lynn University | Lynn University, FL | 1126 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Houston Baptist University. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for Houston Baptist University, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, CO | 1150 | 24 |
| Fort Lewis College | Fort Lewis College, CO | 1147 | 22 |
| Regis University | Regis University, CO | 1149 | 24 |
| Western Colorado University | Western Colorado University, CO | 1154 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Florida International University, FL | 1154 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Houston Baptist University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham-Southern College, AL | 1218 | 26 |
| University of Mobile | University of Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Samford University, AL | 1227 | 26 |
| Harding University | Harding University, AR | 1182 | 24 |
| John Brown University | John Brown University, AR | 1218 | 26 |
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Accounting and Related Services
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
- Bible/Biblical Studies
- Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education
- Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
- Bioethics/Medical Ethics
- Biology, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Business/Managerial Economics
- Chemistry
Full list of All degree programs offered by Houston Baptist University.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.