Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Saint Louis, Missouri
64.1% Acceptance Rate
Missouri Baptist University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
64.1%Acceptance Rate
3.4Avg GPA
983Avg SAT
17Avg ACT
$47,370Annual Cost
$46,660Grad Salary
12.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
64.1%
Avg GPA
3.4
Avg SAT
983
Avg ACT
17
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
910–1170
ACT Middle 50%
14–19
Need-Based Aid
12.7% receive Pell
Missouri Baptist University is a private, Christian institution that offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Known for its commitment to academic excellence, character development, and service, the university provides a supportive environment that fosters both intellectual and spiritual growth. Its focus on practical, career-relevant learning, combined with a strong emphasis on community engagement, makes it a meaningful choice for students seeking a values-centered degree.
Missouri Baptist University Acceptance Rate
Missouri Baptist University is moderately selective. 64.1% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What MBU Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 64.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.40 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.20 – 3.39
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.95
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Missouri Baptist University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Missouri 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
MBU 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 (Priority scholarship deadlines vary by scholarship/program) 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.
MBU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at MBU is 3.4. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.10–3.4 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.60–3.80.MBU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.40 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.20 – 3.39
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.00 – 3.19
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.99
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Minimum GPA: 2.5 for freshmen, 2.0 for transfers - evaluated individually, not as a hard cutoff.
- Test-optional; CLT accepted in addition to SAT/ACT.
- Athletic recruits need NAIA Eligibility Center clearance separate from MBU's own admission process.
- MBU operates a "Plus-Two" degree-completion partnership located on Jefferson College's campus for certain majors.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
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 MBU
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Missouri 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.
Missouri Baptist University (MBU) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if MBU is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into MBU Without SAT or ACT?
MBU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Missouri Baptist University Average SAT Score: 983
The average SAT score of admitted students at Missouri Baptist University is 983 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 983 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1170 SAT or 19 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Missouri Baptist University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 910, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at MBU. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 525 | 440 | 610 |
| SAT Reading | 515 | 470 | 560 |
| SAT Composite | 983 | 910 | 1170 |
Below 910, you're behind most admitted students; at 1170 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1000
Can I get into Missouri Baptist University (MBU) with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of MBU's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Missouri Baptist University (MBU) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at MBU is 17.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 17 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a real advantage.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 16 | 14 | 17 |
| ACT English | 16 | 12 | 19 |
| ACT Composite | 17 | 14 | 19 |
Can I get into Missouri Baptist University with a 19 ACT?
A 19 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of MBU's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at MBU.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for MBU
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
MBU takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Decide the test-optional question deliberately, not by default
MBU is test-optional, but skipping the SAT/ACT triggers a mandatory placement test after enrollment, and student-athletes may still need scores for NAIA eligibility. Athletes and students who want to place directly into credit-bearing math/English courses should submit scores; others can safely opt out.
Know the CLT is a live alternative
MBU accepts the Classic Learning Test (CLT), including the remote-proctored version, alongside SAT/ACT. Homeschool applicants or those from classical/Christian curricula often score better relative to peers on the CLT than the SAT - worth exploring before defaulting to the SAT.
Push for holistic review if the GPA is borderline
Minimum GPA is 2.5 for freshmen and 2.0 for transfers, but MBU explicitly states it evaluates applicants individually even below that line. A short note to the admissions counselor explaining context (grade trend, extenuating circumstances) can trigger manual review rather than automatic screening out.
Coordinate athletics and admissions timelines separately
Because MBU competes under NAIA rules, athletic recruits need NAIA Eligibility Center clearance in addition to standard admission - this is a parallel process, not a substitute for the academic application. Start the NAIA Eligibility Center registration the same week as the MBU application, not after.
Expert Insight:
Students who skip testing without realizing the placement test is mandatory often get blindsided by a required exam during orientation week, which can delay their intended course schedule if they test into a prerequisite-level class.
MBU Profile
Full Name
Missouri Baptist University (MBU)
City
Saint Louis
State
Missouri
ZIP Code
63141-8698
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a MBU Degree Worth It?
Whether MBU is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $62,800, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.33%.
How much does a degree from MBU Cost?
The sticker price is $47,370/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
12.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 22.9% take federal loans at MBU. File your FAFSA early and list MBU as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a MBU Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $46,660. That's about 15% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Missouri Baptist University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | 973 | 18 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
| Union Commonwealth University | Barbourville, KY | 965 | 18 |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 955 | 17 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Missouri Baptist University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Missouri Baptist 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 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
Degree Programs at MBU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About MBU Admissions
Median earnings for Missouri Baptist University graduates sit around $46,660 a year.
Missouri Baptist University costs roughly $47,370 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
Missouri Baptist University's Pell Grant rate of 12.7% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 64.1%, Missouri Baptist University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Missouri Baptist University average a 3.4 GPA.
Missouri Baptist University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.1 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3, Missouri Baptist University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Missouri Baptist University — aim above 983, ideally within the 910–1170 range admitted students typically fall in.
Missouri Baptist University follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Priority scholarship deadlines vary by scholarship/program. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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