Colleges in Waco, Texas
4 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 4 colleges and universities in Waco, Texas (2 Public, 1 Private nonprofit, 1 Private for-profit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 4 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $18,324 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 45.1%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 51% of applicants.
The median net price in Waco runs about $238 lower than the Texas statewide median of $18,562.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Waco, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$18,324
After aid
Median grad rate
45.1%
6-year
Median admission rate
51%
Median enrollment
7,553
Undergrad
All colleges in Waco
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baylor University Waco, TX | TX | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $41,104 | 80.0% | 51% | 14,785 | Complete | |
| Texas State Technical College Waco, TX | TX | Public, 2-year | $13,508 | 45.5% | Not available | 9,437 | Partial | |
| McLennan Community College Waco, TX | TX | Public, 2-year | $5,051 | 38.9% | Not available | 5,668 | Partial | |
| Southern Careers Institute-Waco Waco, TX | TX | Private for-profit, 2-year | $23,140 | 44.7% | Not available | 185 | Partial |
By institution type
Public (2)
Public colleges in Waco are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Texas State Technical CollegeNet price: $13,508Grad: 45.5%
- McLennan Community CollegeNet price: $5,051Grad: 38.9%
Private nonprofit (1)
Private nonprofit colleges in Waco are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Baylor UniversityNet price: $41,104Grad: 80.0%
Private for-profit (1)
Private for-profit colleges in Waco operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Southern Careers Institute-WacoNet price: $23,140Grad: 44.7%
Top programs in Waco
Most-completed programs across Waco colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Health professions18.5% of degrees
- Business14.9% of degrees
- Liberal arts7.7% of degrees
- Mechanic & repair6.2% of degrees
- Construction trades6.1% of degrees
- Precision production6.0% of degrees
- Engineering tech5.6% of degrees
- Biological sciences5.1% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Waco
Q.How many colleges are in Waco, Texas?
There are 4 colleges and universities in Waco, Texas that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 2 Public, 1 Private nonprofit, 1 Private for-profit.
Q.What is the largest college in Waco?
By undergraduate enrollment, Baylor University is the largest institution in Waco with roughly 14,785 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Waco?
Based on average net price after aid, McLennan Community College is the most affordable institution in Waco at $5,051 per year.
Q.Which Waco college has the highest graduation rate?
Baylor University reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Waco institutions at 80.0%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Waco?
The median net price across all 4 colleges in Waco is $18,324 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Waco?
Across Waco colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Health professions, Business, Liberal arts.
Q.Are there community colleges in Waco?
Yes — Waco includes 2 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Texas
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Waco that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.