Organizer Information
Baylor University is a private Christian research university in Waco, Texas, United States. Chartered in 1845, the university offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional education through its colleges and schools. Relevant options for artists and creative professionals include the Department of Art and Art History, which offers undergraduate degrees in studio art and art history, and the Film and Digital Media academic field. Baylor also offers programs across the humanities, sciences, education, business, and other disciplines.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Baylor University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional
- Degrees Offered: BA, BFA, MA, MS, MFA, PhD, and other degree types, depending on the program
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts, Studio Art, Art History, Graphic Design, Photography, Film and Digital Media, Humanities, and other disciplines
- Relevant Programs: BA in Art History; BA in Studio Art; BFA in Studio Art, including Graphic Design, Photography, Painting, Ceramics, Fabric Design, Printmaking, and Sculpture; Film and Digital Media programs
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Undergraduate applications are generally available from 1 August; graduate application periods depend on the program.
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate first-year deadlines include 1 November and 1 February; graduate deadlines vary by program.
- Start of Studies: Fall and spring entry options depend on the program.
- Application Fee: Undergraduate: $0; Graduate School: $50 domestic / $60 international, subject to program-specific exceptions.
- Tuition: Undergraduate: $67,756 per academic year at the regular full-time rate for 2026–2027; graduate tuition varies by program.
- Funding: Merit scholarships, need-based financial aid, grants, and eligible graduate assistantships.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Baylor's Department of Art and Art History offers undergraduate study in studio art and art history. Studio concentrations include ceramics, fabric design, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. The BA in Studio Art provides broader exposure to studio disciplines, while the BFA offers more concentrated professional studio training. The BA in Art History emphasizes visual analysis, historical context, and critical interpretation.
- Film and Digital Media is another relevant academic field listed in Baylor's undergraduate course catalog. Prospective students should consult the current catalog and program inventory to identify the exact degree and available specializations. Graduate applicants should select a program from the university's official graduate degree directory.
General Eligibility
- Baylor accepts applications from domestic and international students. Admission requirements depend on the study level, program, and applicant category.
- First-year undergraduate applicants follow the university's incoming-freshman process. Transfer applicants must follow the applicable transfer requirements. Graduate applicants must meet the admission standards of their chosen department or program. International applicants must also satisfy the relevant English-proficiency and immigration-related requirements.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate applicants must submit the academic records required for their applicant category. First-year applicants provide secondary-school transcripts documenting their academic performance. Transfer applicants follow the university's transfer admissions requirements.
- Graduate applicants must meet the prior-degree and academic prerequisites specified by their intended program. The required degree, accepted academic background, and any additional prerequisites should be checked on the individual program's official admissions page.
Language Requirements
International undergraduate applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through an accepted test or qualifying educational background. Baylor lists the following minimum scores and alternatives:
| Accepted evidence | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT, tests before 21 January 2026 | 80 |
| TOEFL iBT, tests on or after 21 January 2026 | 4.0 |
| PTE Academic | 60 |
| Duolingo English Test | 110 |
| ACT English | 20 |
| SAT Reading / Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 26 / 520 |
Applicants may also qualify through specified periods of full-time study in the United States or at a school where English is the official language of instruction. Students who fall below the stated minimums may be considered through holistic review.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate applicants | $0 |
| Graduate School — domestic applicants | $50 |
| Graduate School — international applicants | $60 |
Baylor's Graduate School identifies fee waivers for active or retired U.S. military personnel and McNair Scholars. Some professional programs use separate application systems and may have different fee arrangements.
Tuition
| Study level / fee | Amount | Billing structure |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, regular full-time tuition | $33,878 | Per semester, 12 or more credit hours |
| Undergraduate, part-time tuition | $2,824 per credit hour | 11 or fewer credit hours |
| Undergraduate regular tuition | $67,756 | Annual, fall and spring |
| Course or lab fee | $50 | Per applicable course |
| Chapel fee | $90 | Per semester |
| Matriculation fee | $100 | One-time fee for newly admitted degree-seeking students |
| Graduate programs | Program-specific | Consult the official program fee schedule |
These undergraduate rates apply to fall 2026 and spring 2027. Baylor's regular undergraduate tuition is the same regardless of state residency. Optional course-material fees and additional expenses, including housing and meals, are separate.
Funding & Financial Support
- Baylor offers undergraduate merit scholarships, need-based institutional assistance, grants, and other financial aid. For the fall 2027 undergraduate intake, international students who are ineligible for federal student aid may qualify for institutional assistance through the Baylor International Financial Aid Application (BIFAA). The published application period opens on 1 October, with priority consideration by 1 November and a final deadline of 1 February.
- Graduate financial support is administered by individual departments and may include tuition remission, stipends, and graduate assistantships with assigned duties. Funding is not guaranteed, and applicants should confirm eligibility and availability with their intended department.
University Services & Academic Support
- The Department of Art and Art History provides academic advising to help students plan their degree requirements and integrate research, internships, and study-abroad opportunities into their academic programs. Incoming first-year and transfer students receive advising and registration assistance during summer orientation; returning students meet with their assigned faculty advisor at least once per semester.
- The department also incorporates exhibitions at the Martin Museum of Art into relevant coursework. Students studying art history can engage with lectures, seminars, museum visits, and guest speakers. Access to particular studios, facilities, and opportunities depends on the relevant course or program.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate first-year applicants generally submit:
- Completed admission application through Baylor's online application or the Common Application.
- High school transcripts and academic records.
- A short application essay.
- English-proficiency evidence for international applicants, using an accepted test or qualifying educational background.
- External examination results or certificates, where applicable to the applicant's educational system.
SAT and ACT scores are optional under Baylor's published undergraduate admissions policy. International applicants applying without test scores may have the option of completing an interview.
For the November 1 Early Decision application, Baylor requires an additional short-answer response. A résumé and two recommendation letters are recommended materials rather than universal mandatory requirements.
Graduate applicants must submit the materials required by their specific department. These may differ by degree and program; applicants should consult the relevant graduate admissions page for requirements concerning transcripts, recommendations, test scores, portfolios, writing samples, interviews, or other materials. No universal portfolio requirement is established for all Baylor programs.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
Undergraduate first-year admission — fall 2027 entry
- Application Opens: 1 August 2026
- Early Decision / Early Action Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Decision Decision Notification: No later than 15 December 2026
- Early Action Decision Notification: No later than 1 February 2027
- Regular Decision Deadline: 1 February 2027
- Regular Decision Notification: No later than 10 April 2027
- Early Decision Enrollment Deposit Deadline: 15 February 2027
- Early Action / Regular Decision Enrollment Deposit Deadline: 1 May 2027
- International Financial Aid Application Opens: 1 October 2026
- International Financial Aid Priority Deadline: 1 November 2026
- International Financial Aid Final Deadline: 1 February 2027
International undergraduate applicants — additional entry routes
- Spring Admission Deadline, first-year applicants: 15 November 2026
- Spring Admission Deadline, transfer and post-baccalaureate applicants: 15 November 2026
- Fall Admission Deadline, international transfer and post-baccalaureate applicants: 1 June 2027
Location
Baylor University — Waco, Texas, United States.
Additional Details
- Baylor's BA in Studio Art and BFA in Studio Art serve different educational purposes. The BFA offers more intensive studio training, while the BA provides broader exposure to studio disciplines.
- Art and Art History undergraduate students complete discipline-specific capstone work. Requirements include senior exhibitions or portfolios for relevant studio degrees and a senior research paper for the BA in Art History.
- Undergraduate admission does not automatically establish eligibility for a particular scholarship, accelerated degree, or specialized academic program.
- Graduate deadlines, tuition, eligibility, and application materials must be checked at the individual program level.
- Applicants should verify the current catalog and admissions cycle before submitting an application, especially when requirements or fees differ between departments.