2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist

About

The Top 50 Best Colleges in the US is College Raptor’s most prestigious rankings list. Updated annually, these schools are celebrated for their rich histories, stunning campuses, excellent academics, and vibrant student life. The institutions on this list are known for both academic excellence and impressive extracurricular opportunities, making them “dream schools” for students around the world. Use these rankings as a jumping-off point for you to create your own personalized rankings using our college match tool.

Methodology

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We’ve outlined our full methodology here.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Union University	1934	60.16	1,120 – 1,380	27191	45505	#1 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist Union University Jackson, TN Union University athletes are known as the Bulldogs. Previously a NCAA Division I school, they’ve won several championships while part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Today, athletes compete in the Gulf South Conference....Read more Undergraduates 1,934 Acceptance Rate 60.2% SAT Score 1,120 – 1,380 Avg. Net Price $27,191 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,505
2	Ouachita Baptist University	1729	67.52	1,110 – 1,310	22087	41697	#2 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, AR Ouachita Baptist University, associated with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, first opened in 1886. 577 athletes are known as the Tigers wear purple and gold while competing in Football, Baseball, Soccer, Swimming, and other sports....Read more Undergraduates 1,729 Acceptance Rate 67.5% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $22,087 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,697
3	Mississippi College	2724	49.28	1,010 – 1,210	21135	42011	#3 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist Mississippi College Clinton, MS Located in Clinton, Mississippi College accepted 49% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $35 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 97% of students at Mississippi College currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 78% of......Read more Undergraduates 2,724 Acceptance Rate 49.3% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $21,135 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,011
4	Blue Mountain Christian University	942	100	980 – 1,240	16525	35401	#4 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist Blue Mountain Christian University Blue Mountain, MS Blue Mountain Christian University was originally a women's school when it opened in 1873. It only became coeducational in 2005. During the last admissions cycle, 56% of accepted students enrolled....Read more Undergraduates 942 Acceptance Rate 100.0% SAT Score 980 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $16,525 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,401
5	North Greenville University	2020	66.67	1,060 – 1,270	20264	38173	#5 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist North Greenville University Tigerville, SC Based in Tigerville, North Greenville University accepts 67% of applicants and charges $35 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 98% of students attending North Greenville University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable....Read more Undergraduates 2,020 Acceptance Rate 66.7% SAT Score 1,060 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $20,264 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,173
6	California Baptist University	8417	85.35	930 – 1,210	28596	52336	#6 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist California Baptist University Riverside, CA Located in Riverside, California Baptist University accepted 85% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 99% of students attending California Baptist University currently receive institutional grant aid. The college’s first year......Read more Undergraduates 8,417 Acceptance Rate 85.4% SAT Score 930 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $28,596 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,336
7	University of Mobile	1688	72.51	1,080 – 1,280	20503	37411	#7 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist University of Mobile Mobile, AL Undergraduates 1,688 Acceptance Rate 72.5% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $20,503 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,411
8	The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary	351	52.75	1,050 – 1,260	11654	63721	#8 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Fort Worth, TX Undergraduates 351 Acceptance Rate 52.8% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $11,654 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
9	Criswell College	118	91.67	1,090 – 1,150	11464	42026	#9 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist Criswell College Dallas, TX Criswell College was founded in 1970, originally named the Criswell Bible Institute. This Baptist Christian school offers up to Master's degree, and it has very small class sizes, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1. andGeneral Studies are commonly chosen undergraduate majors. Undergraduates 118 Acceptance Rate 91.7% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $11,464 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,026
10	The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary	1004	96.89	1,000 – 1,180	19873	63721	#10 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, KY Located in Louisville, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary accepted 97% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requests $35 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 40% of students attending The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary currently receive institutional grant aid....Read more Undergraduates 1,004 Acceptance Rate 96.9% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $19,873 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
11	Gardner-Webb University	1840	87.02	980 – 1,190	24035	43996	#11 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs, NC Located in Boiling Springs, Gardner-Webb University accepts 87% of applicants and requests $40 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. Approximately 99% of students at Gardner-Webb University currently receive institutional grant aid. At Gardner-Webb University, there is a 66% first year retention rate and a 36% four year......Read more Undergraduates 1,840 Acceptance Rate 87.0% SAT Score 980 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $24,035 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,996
12	New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary	770	66.77	--	20904	63721	#12 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary New Orleans, LA Undergraduates 770 Acceptance Rate 66.8% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $20,904 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
13	Hannibal-LaGrange University	402	58.74	1,020 – 1,230	20640	41185	#13 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist Hannibal-LaGrange University Hannibal, MO Undergraduates 402 Acceptance Rate 58.7% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $20,640 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,185
14	Southwest Baptist University	1622	99.72	970 – 1,210	19781	38855	#14 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist Southwest Baptist University Bolivar, MO Located in Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University accepts 100% of applicants and requires $30 for undergraduate applications and $25 for graduate applications. About 76% of attending students currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 1,622 Acceptance Rate 99.7% SAT Score 970 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $19,781 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,855
15	Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary	957	58.71	1,000 – 1,210	11395	63721	#15 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NC Based in Wake Forest, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary accepted 59% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $40 for undergraduate applications and $40 for graduate applications. About 42% of students at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary will receive grant aid from the......Read more Undergraduates 957 Acceptance Rate 58.7% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $11,395 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,721
16	Truett McConnell University	2612	90.68	990 – 1,180	22373	39193	#16 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist Truett McConnell University Cleveland, GA Found in Cleveland, Truett McConnell University accepted 91% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and requires unknown for undergraduate applications and . About 100% of attending students will receive grant aid from the school. The college’s first year retention rate is 69% and its four year......Read more Undergraduates 2,612 Acceptance Rate 90.7% SAT Score 990 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $22,373 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,193
17	Louisiana Christian University	803	83.79	940 – 1,190	15470	40615	#17 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist Louisiana Christian University Pineville, LA Located in Pineville, Louisiana Christian University accepted 84% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges $25 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students at Louisiana Christian University currently receive institutional grant aid. 58% of students decide to stay at......Read more Undergraduates 803 Acceptance Rate 83.8% SAT Score 940 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $15,470 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,615
18	Spurgeon College	1067	94.33	1,040 – 1,190	25380	39712	#18 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist Spurgeon College Kansas City, MO Located in Kansas City, Spurgeon College’s acceptance rate is 94% and requests $25 to apply, but fee waivers may be available. About 50% of attending students will receive institutional grant aid. At Spurgeon College, there is a 65% first year retention rate and 12% of students will graduate in four years or less....Read more Undergraduates 1,067 Acceptance Rate 94.3% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $25,380 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $39,712
19	Williams Baptist University	491	58.88	960 – 1,170	16658	38067	#19 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist Williams Baptist University Walnut Ridge, AR Undergraduates 491 Acceptance Rate 58.9% SAT Score 960 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $16,658 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $38,067
20	Chowan University	638	72.37	880 – 1,090	15845	30096	#20 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist Chowan University Murfreesboro, NC Located in Murfreesboro, Chowan University’s acceptance rate is 72%. They request $20 for undergraduate applications, but fee waivers may be offered. About 100% of students attending Chowan University currently receive grant aid from the school. 64% of students decide to stay at Chowan University after completing their first......Read more Undergraduates 638 Acceptance Rate 72.4% SAT Score 880 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $15,845 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $30,096
21	Baptist University of Florida	521	64.1	930 – 1,170	8904	31489	#21 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist Baptist University of Florida Graceville, FL Located in Graceville, Baptist University of Florida accepts 64% of applicants. Undergraduates have to pay unknown to apply. About 75% of students at Baptist University of Florida currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 20%....Read more Undergraduates 521 Acceptance Rate 64.1% SAT Score 930 – 1,170 Avg. Net Price $8,904 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $31,489
22	Wayland Baptist University	2087	55.96	840 – 1,010	20222	44159	#22 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist Wayland Baptist University Plainview, TX Found in Plainview, Wayland Baptist University’s acceptance rate is 56%. They request $35 for undergraduate applications. About 82% of students at Wayland Baptist University will receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. The first year retention rate is 44%....Read more Undergraduates 2,087 Acceptance Rate 56.0% SAT Score 840 – 1,010 Avg. Net Price $20,222 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,159
23	Clear Creek Baptist Bible College	136	54.34	--	13182	49979	#23 2026 Best Colleges – Overall Ranking – Southern Baptist Clear Creek Baptist Bible College Pineville, KY Based in Pineville, Clear Creek Baptist Bible College accepts 54% of applicants and requires $50 for undergraduate applications and $50 for graduate applications. About 100% of students at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Undergraduates 136 Acceptance Rate 54.3% SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $13,182 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $49,979