DBU Quick Facts

Choosing a college can be a difficult decision.

You're faced with many questions.

  1. Will I get a quality education?
  2. What is the school's reputation?
  3. Will my professor know my name?
  4. Will I fit in?
  5. Can I even afford it?
  6. What has God called me to do?

Below are some quick facts about DBU to help you choose the Christian college for you.

Beginnings | Location | Affiliation | Enrollment | Academic Programs | Faculty
Class Size | Accreditation | Student Outcomes | Traditions

Beginnings

Dallas Baptist University was originally founded as Decatur Baptist College in 1898 and was the first two-year institution of higher education in Texas. After moving to Dallas in 1965, DBU has maintained its roots to Decatur and its commitment to a Baptist heritage.

Location

Dallas Baptist University sits atop 368 acres on the hills of Southwest Dallas overlooking Mountain Creek Lake.

Affiliation

Dallas Baptist University is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Enrollment

As of Fall 2023, total University enrollment stood at 4,201 Students.

Academic Programs

Dallas Baptist University offers eight Associate degrees and 79 undergraduate majors as well as 37 master's programs, including 29 Dual Master’s Degree Programs, 2 Doctoral Degree Programs, and 59 Accelerated Bachelor’s and Master's Degree Programs and encompasses the following academic divisions: College of Business, Mary C. Crowley College of Christian Faith, Dorothy M. Bush College of Education, College of Fine Arts, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Gary Cook School of Leadership, and Graduate School of Ministry. The Gary Cook School of Leadership offers doctoral degrees in Leadership Studies and Educational Leadership.

For more information about academics please see the Academics section of this website. For a list of DBU’s current academic programs with assigned CIP codes, see DBU Academic Programs with CIP Codes.

Faculty

There are 123 full-time faculty members of which 83.7% hold a doctorate or terminal degree. The student/faculty ratio is 16:1.

Class Size

The average class size is 16 students.

Accreditation

Dallas Baptist University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Dallas Baptist University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Dallas Baptist University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).

Dallas Baptist University holds applicant status with the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation (5850 T. G. Lee Blvd., Ste. 130, Orlando, FL 32822, 407.207.0808). Applicant status is a pre-membership status granted to those institutions that meet the ABHE Conditions of Eligibility and that possess such qualities as may provide a basis for achieving candidate status within five years.

Dallas Baptist University’s Dorothy M. Bush College of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the sole national accrediting body for educator preparation providers having programs leading to certification/licensure, bachelor’s, master’s, post-baccalaureate, and doctoral degrees in the United States and internationally. CAEP accreditation confirms that DBU’s undergraduate educator program has demonstrated that it meets standards set by organizations representing the academic community, professionals, and other stakeholders.

The Educator Preparation Program at Dallas Baptist University is also accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) to prepare, train, and recommend teacher, school counselor, diagnostician, reading specialist, principal, and superintendent candidates for certification.

Dallas Baptist University is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) to offer the following business degrees: Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Bachelor of Business Studies (B.B.S.), Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), and Master of Arts in Management (M.A.M.) degrees. The Department of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Dallas Baptist University Intensive English program is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. CEA is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency for English language programs and institutions in the U.S. For further information about this accreditation, please contact CEA, 1001 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 630, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 665-3400, www.cea-accredit.org.

The Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation (5850 T.G. Lee Blvd., Ste. 130, Orlando, FL 32822; 407.207.0808) accredits the following programs: Mary C. Crowley College of Christian Faith, Graduate School of Ministry, and Gary Cook School of Leadership.  

Dallas Baptist University Student Outcomes

General Education Core Competencies/Learner-Centered Outcomes

Core Competency 1: Christian Worldview and Faith Development

Student Learning Outcome: DBU Graduates will apply a biblically-based, Christian worldview to learning and to life.

Core Competency 2: Civic and Cultural Engagement

Student Learning Outcome: DBU Graduates will demonstrate the ability to engage and evaluate culture and institutions critically and redemptively.

Core Competency 3: Communication

Student Learning Outcome: DBU Graduates will demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly in oral, written, visual, and virtual formats appropriate to a variety of purposes, audiences, and situations.

Core Competency 4: Critical Thinking

Student Learning Outcome: DBU Graduates will demonstrate the ability to gather, process, and evaluate information critically and creatively to draw conclusions and support arguments.

Core Competency 5: Personal Competency Development

Student Learning Outcome: DBU Graduates will demonstrate the ability to achieve and maintain intrapersonal and interpersonal skills.

Student Achievement

For information related to retention and graduation rates, visit Institutional Effectiveness and Research Student Achievement.

Institutional Effectiveness and Research

For information regarding DBU’s institutional effectiveness process, including assessment and annual reporting, visit Institutional Effectiveness and Research (IER).

Traditions

Founded in 1898 as Decatur Baptist College, Dallas Baptist University embraces the legacy of more than 100 years of quality academics and vibrant University life. As the Patriots, the DBU family exemplifies the qualities of integrity, honor, and Christ-centered character along with a love and enthusiasm for DBU. Athletic traditions such as the Regiment firing the cannon after a soccer goal or a baseball home run and ringing the bell after a basketball victory provide energy to the "Blue Brigade" student section that creates an exciting environment for all Patriot home games. The Patriot Cheerleaders and Patriettes Dance Team lead the crowd in cheers, chants, and the DBU Fight Song to support all Patriot athletics. Other University-wide traditions take place with athletic events such as Midnight Madness that begins basketball season and Homecoming week with float building, Mr. Patriot, Extravaganza, Tailgate Party, and the crowning of the Homecoming King and Queen. The Homecoming week activities were founded in the early years of Decatur Baptist College and remain an important part of every fall semester.

First-year students participate in University traditions as soon as they register for classes when they ring the replica Liberty Bell in the Mahler Student Center. First-year students also learn the core University value of Christ-centered servant leadership as they serve together on the final day of SWAT, an annual University welcome week for new students. Students have the opportunity to participate in other University Campus Life traditions such as University chapel services, Student Life events, and missions and service.

The Official DBU Cross Ring serves as a symbol of the Christ-centered education students experience at DBU. Through the University hymn, To God Be The Glory, the DBU family thanks God for all of His blessings and His guidance throughout the history of the school.

Financial Assistance

Eighty-seven percent (87%) of our undergraduate students receive federal, state, or institutional financial aid. Over seventy-four percent (74.7%) of master's students and over sixty-seven percent (67.9%) of doctoral students receive federal, state, or institutional financial aid. (Institutional aid includes academic, athletic, music performance, and Christian leadership scholarships).

Students who may qualify for state and federal financial assistance programs can request specific information by contacting the Office of Financial Aid at 214-333-5363.