Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Walnut Ridge, Arkansas
58.9% Acceptance Rate
Williams Baptist University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
58.9%Acceptance Rate
3.2Avg GPA
1018Avg SAT
19Avg ACT
$32,222Annual Cost
$38,484Grad Salary
47.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
58.9%
Avg GPA
3.2
Avg SAT
1018
Avg ACT
19
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
920–1058
ACT Middle 50%
16–22
Need-Based Aid
47.2% receive Pell
Williams Baptist University, established in 1941 in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, is a Christ-centered liberal arts institution known for its ministry, business, and education programs. The university emphasizes servant leadership through its distinctive Leadership College program.
The 200-acre campus includes modern science labs, a commercial-grade recording studio for worship studies, and championship athletic facilities. Its rural setting fosters close community relationships and outdoor learning opportunities.
Williams Baptist University Acceptance Rate
Williams Baptist University is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Williams Baptist University is 58.9%. This means that 59 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
Admissions Guidelines
- Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
- Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 58.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.20 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.00 – 3.19
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.75
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Williams Baptist University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Williams Baptist 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
Williams Baptist University 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 (2026/06/01 (Arkansas Academic Challenge/state scholarship deadline)) 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.
Williams Baptist University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Williams Baptist University is 3.2. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.40-3.60 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 2.90 and 3.2, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
Williams Baptist University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Admissions at Williams Baptist University utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.2, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.20 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.00 – 3.19
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.80 – 2.99
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.79
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- WBU sets distinct "Unconditional" (ACT 20+/SAT 1030+/CLT 66+, 2.6+ GPA) and "Conditional" (ACT 17-19/SAT 920-1020, 2.25+ GPA) admission tiers rather than a single cutoff.
- WBU accepts the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as a full alternative to ACT/SAT - a distinctly classical/faith-oriented exam favored by many homeschooled applicants.
- Arkansas residents receiving the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship must submit ACT scores; the award is stackable with most WBU institutional aid and can total up to $14,000 over four years, with an added Challenge PLUS benefit for lower-SAI students.
- Weekly chapel attendance is a standard part of student life, and the Williams Works program allows students to work toward offsetting or eliminating tuition costs.
- The Rigor Metric: At Williams Baptist University, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Williams Baptist University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Williams Baptist University's verified institutional data
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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.
Williams Baptist University Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Williams Baptist University Without SAT or ACT?
Williams 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 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
Williams Baptist University Average SAT Score: 1018
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Williams Baptist University is 1018 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1018 — Accessible
This score makes it an easy target for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1018 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1058 SAT or 22 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Williams 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 920, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Williams Baptist University. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 489 | 460 | 518 |
| SAT Reading | 500 | 460 | 540 |
| SAT Composite | 1018 | 920 | 1058 |
It means that if you have scored less than 920 then you are below most of the admitted students at Williams Baptist University and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1058 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 1000
Can I get into Williams Baptist University with a 1050 SAT?
With a 1050 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Williams Baptist University are good but the admission staff at Williams Baptist University 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.
Williams Baptist University ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Williams Baptist University is 19.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 19 — Less Competitive
This score makes Williams Baptist University less competitive for ACT scores. You need to put average efforts to score 19 on the ACT.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 18 | 15 | 21 |
| ACT English | 19 | 15 | 23 |
| ACT Composite | 19 | 16 | 22 |
Can I get into Williams Baptist University with a 22 ACT?
A 22 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Williams Baptist University — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Williams Baptist University use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Williams Baptist University — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Williams Baptist University uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 22 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Williams Baptist University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Williams Baptist University is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
Aim for the "Unconditional Acceptance" thresholds, or know exactly which conditional tier you fall into
WBU sets specific unconditional-admission bars (roughly an ACT superscore of 20+ or SAT of 1030+, or CLT of 66+, combined with at least a 2.6 GPA) versus a lower conditional tier (ACT 17-19/SAT 920-1020, GPA 2.25+). A borderline student should ask admissions directly which specific tier their current scores and GPA place them in, since conditional admission likely carries different registration or support requirements than unconditional admission, and knowing which tier you're in changes how urgent a retest is.
Consider the CLT if you're homeschooled or test better on classical-text-based exams
WBU accepts the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as a full alternative to the ACT/SAT - a distinctly faith-based, classical-literature-oriented exam that many homeschooled and classically-educated students score better on than the ACT/SAT. If you've never taken a standardized test or have struggled with ACT/SAT format, ask whether a CLT score might better reflect your preparation, especially since WBU explicitly lists CLT alongside ACT/SAT in its official admission requirements rather than treating it as a fringe option.
Stack the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship with WBU's own aid - but confirm your ACT/SAT is submitted
Arkansas resident applicants who receive the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship must specifically submit ACT scores as a condition of the award, and the scholarship is stackable with most WBU institutional scholarships - worth up to $14,000 over four years, plus an additional Challenge PLUS award (~$500/semester for three years) for students with a Student Aid Index of 7,999 or lower. An Arkansas-resident applicant should submit ACT scores even if otherwise test-optional-eligible, specifically to preserve this stackable state scholarship, and should check their SAI eligibility for Challenge PLUS as a separate add-on.
Plan around weekly chapel and Williams Works if faith-integration and tuition costs both matter to you
WBU requires weekly chapel attendance as part of student life, and offers the Williams Works program, which lets students work to offset or eliminate tuition costs while completing their degree. A prospective student weighing cost and campus culture should ask specifically how Williams Works hours are structured around a full course load and how weekly chapel fits into the weekly schedule, since both are standard, non-optional parts of the WBU experience rather than optional add-ons.
Expert Insight:
Because different sources cite meaningfully different acceptance rates and GPA/test thresholds for WBU (ranging from roughly 64% to over 83%, and GPA minimums cited anywhere from 2.0 to 2.6 depending on unconditional vs. conditional vs. general admission), don't rely on a single aggregator's number - confirm current-cycle unconditional vs. conditional thresholds directly with WBU admissions, since which tier you land in can affect financial aid stacking eligibility, not just the admission decision itself.
Williams Baptist University Profile
Full Name
Williams Baptist University
City
Walnut Ridge
State
Arkansas
ZIP Code
72476
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Williams Baptist University Degree Worth It?
Getting into Williams Baptist University can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Williams Baptist University offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Williams Baptist University is $42,500 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.38%.
How much does a degree from Williams Baptist University Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Williams Baptist University is $32,222. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Williams Baptist University is much less than this.
47.2% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 47.3 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Williams Baptist University and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Williams 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 Williams Baptist University as your choice in the form.
How much does a Williams Baptist University Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $38,484. An average Williams Baptist University 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 $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Williams Baptist University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | 994 | 21 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Williams Baptist University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Williams Baptist University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Williams Baptist University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Williams Baptist University Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $38,484 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is moderate, around $32,222 per year. Many students seek financial aid and scholarships to manage the cost.
47.2% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The acceptance rate of Williams Baptist University is 58.9% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.2. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 2.9, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 2.9, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.8 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.2, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to Williams Baptist University is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1018 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 920–1058.
The scholarship priority deadline is 2026/06/01 (Arkansas Academic Challenge/state scholarship deadline). Submit your FAFSA before this date for maximum aid consideration.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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