Wayland Baptist University vs Harvard

Wayland Baptist University and Harvard University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, stand at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of size, location, and academic offerings. Wayland, a private Christian university in Plainview, Texas, offers a close-knit community with a focus on undergraduate education, while Harvard, an Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, boasts a global reputation for academic excellence and a diverse student body. With acceptance rates of 58% and 5%, respectively, these universities cater to different applicant pools. Wayland's popular majors include nursing, business, and education, while Harvard offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including law, medicine, and engineering. Explore the comparison table below to delve into further details and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Harvard University logo

Harvard University

Wayland Baptist University logo

Wayland Baptist University

Overview

Location Cambridge, Massachusetts Plainview, Texas
Campus setting City: Midsize Town: Remote
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 96.0% 39.0%
Common app member Yes No
Religious affiliation Baptist

Admission

Acceptance rate 4.0% 80.8%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $75

Graduate: $105
Undergraduate: $35

Graduate: $50
SAT range 1480 - 1580 N/A
ACT range 33 - 36 N/A
Students submitting SAT score 54.0%
Students submitting ACT score 31.0%
Total number of applicants 57,786 733
Total number of admissions given out 2,318 592
Admitted students who chose to enroll 1,951 226
Yield rate 84.2% 38.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Not required Not required
Recommendation letters Required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $78,028 $38,730
Average net price $13,910 $23,378
Tuition $51,143 $20,588
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $11,705

Meal plan: $7,236
Room/dormitory: $2,850

Meal plan: $5,566
Available payment plans
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

56.0%
Average amount $59,840
96.0%
Average amount $11,462
Students receiving federal student loan 3.0%
Average amount $5,180
95.0%
Average amount $4,071
Students taking out private loans 2.0%
Average amount $8,080
12.0%
Average amount $10,963

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 9,579
Men 49.0% Women 51.0%
2,690
Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Graduate students 21,766
Men 46.3% Women 53.7%
818
Men 42.5% Women 57.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Moderate
Out-of-state students N/A 14.3%
International students 23.9% 1.8%
Campus local/setting City: Midsize Town: Remote
Dormitory capacity 12,874 810
First year students are required to live on campus? Yes No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from New York California Texas Illinois New Jersey Texas New Mexico Oklahoma American Samoa California

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Social Sciences
  • Education
  • Legal Profession
  • Business
  • Education
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Law Enforcement and Firefighting
  • Liberal Arts
Students to faculty ratio 7:1 9:1
Institutional accreditation New England Commission on Higher Education Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 96.7% 25.1%
Dropout rate 2.0% 73.4%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Statistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $78,193
  • Year 2: $128,716
  • Year 3: $240,408
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $184,307
  • Year 2: $165,340
  • Year 3: $199,043
Business Administration, Management and Operations (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $171,333
  • Year 2: $171,907
  • Year 3: $187,553
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $140,072
  • Year 2: $128,737
  • Year 3: $163,896
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: $151,371
  • Year 2: $174,023
  • Year 3: $163,512
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $123,508
  • Year 2: $117,916
  • Year 3: $129,281
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $106,421
  • Year 3: $121,832
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $102,707
  • Year 2: $90,856
  • Year 3: $121,771
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $97,905
  • Year 2: $98,670
  • Year 3: $107,389
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,745
  • Year 2: $71,486
  • Year 3: $106,375
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,081
  • Year 2: $53,984
  • Year 3: $66,005
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,879
  • Year 2: $44,021
  • Year 3: $45,669
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $42,929
  • Year 2: $35,060
  • Year 3: $38,448
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,876
  • Year 2: $27,488
  • Year 3: $36,562
Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: $29,652
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,125
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,589
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $55,393
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What are the primary differences in academic focus between Wayland Baptist University and Harvard University?

    Wayland Baptist University emphasizes a faith-based education with a strong focus on practical skills and career preparation, often catering to working adults and students seeking a values-driven learning environment. Harvard University, on the other hand, is a world-renowned research institution with a broad range of academic disciplines, attracting top scholars and students globally. Harvard prioritizes research, intellectual exploration, and a more theoretical approach to learning.

  • How does the cost of attendance compare between Wayland Baptist University and Harvard University?

    Wayland Baptist University generally has a significantly lower tuition and overall cost of attendance compared to Harvard University. This makes Wayland a more accessible option for students seeking a more affordable higher education experience. Harvard's costs are substantially higher, reflecting its resources, prestige, and the high cost of living in the Boston area, though substantial financial aid is available.

  • What is the typical student body like at Wayland Baptist University versus Harvard University?

    Wayland Baptist University typically serves a more diverse student body, including a significant number of non-traditional students, working adults, and students from various socioeconomic backgrounds. Harvard University attracts a highly selective student body, composed of exceptionally talented and high-achieving individuals from around the world, often with a strong focus on academic excellence and leadership potential.

  • What are the admission requirements like for Wayland Baptist University and Harvard University?

    Wayland Baptist University generally has more flexible admission requirements, often considering a student's overall academic record, work experience, and personal qualities. Harvard University has extremely competitive admission requirements, including exceptional grades, standardized test scores, extracurricular achievements, and compelling essays. The acceptance rate at Harvard is significantly lower than at Wayland.

  • How do the campus environments differ between Wayland Baptist University and Harvard University?

    Wayland Baptist University offers a more intimate and close-knit campus environment, fostering a strong sense of community and personal connection. Harvard University boasts a large, historic campus with extensive resources, a vibrant social scene, and a wide array of extracurricular activities. The campus culture at Harvard is often characterized by a high level of intellectual engagement and a competitive atmosphere.

  • What career opportunities are typically available to graduates of Wayland Baptist University and Harvard University?

    Graduates of Wayland Baptist University often pursue careers in fields such as education, ministry, business, and healthcare, often within their local communities or in roles that align with their faith-based values. Harvard University graduates have access to a vast network of alumni and career opportunities across various industries globally, including leadership positions in business, government, academia, and the arts.

  • Does Wayland Baptist University offer online programs, and how does this compare to Harvard University?

    Yes, Wayland Baptist University is known for its robust online program offerings, making it accessible to students who prefer or require flexible learning options. Harvard University also offers online courses and programs, but its primary focus remains on its residential programs. Harvard's online offerings are often geared towards executive education, professional development, and specific academic areas.

  • What is the religious affiliation of Wayland Baptist University, and how does this influence the student experience?

    Wayland Baptist University is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. This affiliation influences the student experience through required chapel attendance, a focus on Christian values, and a curriculum that often integrates faith and learning. Harvard University is non-denominational, offering a more secular environment with a diverse range of religious and non-religious perspectives.

  • How do the research opportunities compare at Wayland Baptist University and Harvard University?

    Harvard University is a leading research institution, providing extensive research opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students, including access to state-of-the-art facilities and renowned faculty. Wayland Baptist University offers fewer research opportunities, with a greater emphasis on teaching and practical application of knowledge.

  • What are the strengths of Wayland Baptist University and Harvard University?

    Wayland Baptist University's strengths include its affordability, its focus on practical skills and career preparation, its supportive community, and its commitment to faith-based values. Harvard University's strengths include its academic prestige, its world-class faculty, its extensive resources, its global network, and its commitment to research and intellectual exploration.

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