Campus & Student Life at Southwest Baptist University

Home to about 2,379 undergraduates in 2020, Southwest Baptist University is a small, private university located in Bolivar, Missouri. This is a great opportunity for those who would thrive in a charming, small-town atmosphere. Should you tire of the campus however, Southwest Baptist University offers a “study abroad” program. Please note, some classes/degrees offered by Southwest Baptist University can be taken “online” so keep that in mind when reviewing this report. For more context, you might also check out our Southwest Baptist University Guide to Distance and Online Learning.

Southwest Baptist University is Affiliated With the Southern Baptist Faith.

Some, but not all, schools with a religious affiliation may require a statement of faith or religious studies component. Contact the school to see what their requirements are. If an affinity with the Southern Baptist faith interests you, check out our ranking of The Best Southern Baptist Colleges and Universities.

Southwest Baptist University Has a Disability Services Site

For more information on policies and accommodations that the university provides to ensure all students get the opportunity to participate, you can visit Southwest Baptist University Disability Services.

Southwest Baptist University for the Military

While not a "service academy", Southwest Baptist University does offer support for veterans and those seeking a career in the armed forces. Undergraduates have access to one or more ROTC programs and there is an active student veterans group on campus. For more information on policies related to veterans, you can visit Southwest Baptist University Veteran Services . For more information, check out our Southwest Baptist University for Veterans Guide.

Freshmen Living Arrangements at Southwest Baptist University

Southwest Baptist University offers on-campus housing, but freshmen are not required to take advantage of it. In the end though, most do choose to live in the dorms.

* Data compiled from students who received financial aid, including loans.

Full-time vs. Part-time Studies at Southwest Baptist University

Southwest Baptist University has a comparatively small, student body. There were 2,379 undergraduates in 2020. Full-time attendance was 1,593 (67.0%). Part-time attendance was 786 (33.0%).

Southwest Baptist University is Ranked #2,085 for Overall Diversity

Compared to other colleges and universities across the nation, Southwest Baptist University is about average in terms of overall diversity. We rank Southwest Baptist University #2085 out of 3,451.

The chart below shows each element that we looked at to determine this ranking, and how that metric compares to the national average. 100 would indicate excellent diversity in each category, and 1 would mean poor diversity.

You can learn more about the diversity of the student body at Southwest Baptist University by looking closer at the ethnic,  gender,  age, and geographic diversity metrics from the Southwest Baptist University Diversity Guide.

Southwest Baptist University Competes in the NCAA

Southwest Baptist University has a total of 355 student athletes, 246 men and 109 women who compete in inter-collegiate athletics.

Athletics Financing

For more information about athletics including per-team sizes, coaching and scholarships check out our Guide to Southwest Baptist University Athletics