“A distinctive Christian liberal arts college shaping servant leaders through rigorous biblical and theological education in the heart of Dallas.”
Criswell College is a small, private Baptist Christian institution located in the heart of Dallas, Texas, affiliated with First Baptist Church Dallas — one of the largest Southern Baptist congregations in the United States. Founded in 1970 by W.A. Criswell, the college began with just two certificate programs and 329 students on its first night, growing over five decades into a fully accredited liberal arts institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees rooted in a distinctly Christian worldview. A hallmark of the Criswell academic experience is its unique double-major requirement: every undergraduate student must complete a major in Bible and Theology alongside their chosen field of study, ensuring a deep scriptural foundation regardless of program. Academically, Criswell offers undergraduate programs in Biblical Studies, Christian Ministry, Education, Psychology, and Philosophy, Politics and Economics, alongside graduate programs including the Master of Arts in Christian Leadership, MA in Christian Studies, MA in Theological and Biblical Studies, and the Master of Divinity. The college is exceptionally small — roughly 132 full-time undergraduates — which means students receive highly personalized faculty mentorship extending beyond classroom learning into pastoral formation and ministry vocational development. The student-to-faculty ratio enables close relationships rarely found at larger institutions. Located just minutes from downtown Dallas, Criswell students benefit from proximity to a major metropolitan hub with abundant ministry, internship, and career opportunities in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The college serves traditional students, working adults, and international believers seeking a faith-integrated education. With 94% of undergraduates receiving financial aid and an average net price of approximately $5,865 after aid, Criswell remains deeply committed to making Christian higher education financially accessible to all who are called to study here.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Priority Deadline (Fall)
Rolling admissions; priority deadline August 14 for fall enrollment. Applications accepted year-round.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$16,320
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Core academic division offering degrees in Biblical Studies and theology; all undergraduates complete a double major here.
Prepares students for pastoral ministry, church planting, para-church leadership, and cross-cultural missions.
Offers liberal arts and professional programs including Psychology, Education, and Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
Graduate programs in ministry leadership, counseling, and theological studies.
4 years
A rigorous program in biblical languages, hermeneutics, and theological exegesis — required as a double major alongside all undergraduate programs at Criswell.
4 years
Integrates psychological theory and practice with a Christian worldview, preparing graduates for counseling, social services, and graduate study.
3 years
The professional degree of ministry, combining theological formation with practical pastoral training for church and missions leadership.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $15,750
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
