Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary LA New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is one of the largest seminaries in the United States and focuses on preparing students for ministry, religious leadership, counseling, and theological scholarship. Students seeking faith-centered professional preparation often find the institution highly attractive.\n\nThe seminary emphasizes spiritual development, practical ministry experience, and leadership training. Programs support careers in churches, missions, education, nonprofit organizations, and religious service.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Acceptance Rate
Admission at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is inclusive by design: 100% 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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Check Your Admission Chances at NOBTS
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary'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
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at NOBTS — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into NOBTS Without SAT or ACT?
NOBTS's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for NOBTS
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
NOBTS provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Secure a Substantive Church Statement, Not a Generic Reference
The required Church Statement must come from a pastor or church leader who can affirm God's call on the applicant's life and the church's support of their ministry studies - this is a substantive spiritual endorsement, not an interchangeable character reference. Approach your pastor well ahead of the deadline with specific context about your ministry calling so they can write something that actually satisfies what the admissions committee is evaluating, rather than a generic letter that stalls your file.
Write the "Conversion & Call" Essay as Its Own Distinct Document
NOBTS/Leavell College requires typed answers to specific "Conversion & Call" questions about your faith journey and sense of calling to ministry - this is separate from a general personal statement and is evaluated for spiritual readiness, not just writing quality. Give this document real time and specificity rather than treating it as an afterthought to the main application.
Document Your Church's SBC Affiliation Before Budgeting
Tuition runs roughly $275/credit hour for students from Southern Baptist Convention-affiliated churches versus roughly $410/credit hour for non-SBC students in on-campus courses - a difference of thousands of dollars per year. Confirm and be ready to document your home church's SBC affiliation status as part of your application, since this materially changes your total cost of attendance, not just your eligibility for a specific scholarship.
Target Caskey Center Scholarships If You're a Working/Bivocational Minister
The Caskey Center offers full-tuition scholarships (up to $8,000 annually) specifically for bivocational or small-membership-church ministers from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, applicable to certificate, undergraduate, or master's study. If this describes your situation, apply directly through the Caskey Center rather than relying on standard financial aid channels, which won't surface this targeted funding automatically.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes treat NOBTS/Leavell College like a typical open-admission Christian college, but the eligibility requirements are genuinely faith-based and non-negotiable: applicants must have been a professing Christian for at least one year and be recommended by their local church. An incomplete, vague, or missing Church Statement can stall an otherwise complete application indefinitely - it isn't a soft-preference document.
NOBTS Profile
Full Name
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS)
City
New Orleans
State
Louisiana
ZIP Code
70126
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a NOBTS Degree Worth It?
NOBTS offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
Degree Programs at NOBTS
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Doctoral Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Professional Certificate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About NOBTS Admissions
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.
Explore Other Options
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