,·Private (nonprofit)·Est. 1845
“Private Baptist university in Belton, Texas, chartered by the Republic of Texas in 1845.”
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) is a private Christian university in Belton, Texas, chartered in 1845 as the female department of Baylor University — making it one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Texas. After separating from Baylor and admitting men in the 1970s, UMHB has grown into a coeducational university of roughly 3,700 students on a 295-acre campus between Austin and Waco. Affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, UMHB integrates Christian faith throughout its academics and co-curriculum, but welcomes students from all denominational and non-religious backgrounds. Academically, UMHB is organized into eight colleges: the McLane College of Business, the College of Christian Studies, the College of Education, the College of Humanities and Sciences, the Scott & White College of Nursing, the College of Visual and Performing Arts, the College of Health Professions, and the Graduate School. The university offers 65+ undergraduate majors, 12 master's programs, and four doctoral programs, with nursing, clinical psychology, biology, education, and kinesiology among the most popular. Two new graduate programs — a Master of Science in Anesthesiology (only the second such program in Texas) and an entry-level Occupational Therapy doctorate — launch in 2026, reflecting UMHB's push into the allied-health professions. Campus life revolves around athletics, faith, and tradition. UMHB's Cru (short for Crusaders) compete in NCAA Division III in the American Southwest Conference, fielding 16 varsity teams, with the football program a perennial Stagg Bowl contender. Signature traditions include the 79-year-old outdoor Easter Pageant (drawing 5,000 viewers), Charter Day, Robing and Midnight March, and Homecoming. With a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, a 95%+ acceptance rate, and tuition under $36,000, UMHB is accessible and tight-knit — well suited to international students who want a US Christian liberal-arts experience without the price tag of the national names.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceRolling Admission
UMHB uses rolling admissions; international applicants are encouraged to apply well in advance for I-20 processing.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$32,020
/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.
UMHB's flagship health-professions school, partnered with Baylor Scott & White Health for clinical placements; produces the largest share of UMHB graduates each year.
AACSB-accredited; offers undergraduate majors across accounting, finance, management, marketing, and information systems, plus an MBA.
Prepares students for ministry, missions, and Christian leadership; home to biblical studies, Christian ministries, and Master of Arts in Christian Ministry.
One of the largest teacher-preparation programs in Central Texas; offers EC-12 certifications plus M.Ed. and Ed.D. programs in educational leadership.
Houses the natural and social sciences, humanities, and mathematics; strong pre-health advising and psychology program.
Offers programs in music, theatre, and visual arts with performance ensembles and gallery space on campus.
Houses kinesiology, exercise science, social work, and new graduate programs in Anesthesiology and Occupational Therapy launching in 2026.
4 years
Pre-licensure BSN through the Scott & White College of Nursing with clinical rotations at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center; consistently strong NCLEX-RN pass rates.
3 years
CAPTE-accredited DPT program preparing graduates for licensure as physical therapists in Texas and beyond.
2.5 years
Only the second Anesthesiologist Assistant program in Texas; trains mid-level anesthesia providers to practice under physician supervision.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $32,020
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.
