The DBU Story

For more than 100 years, Dallas Baptist University has been producing servant leaders who seek to impact the world for the cause of Christ. Throughout this time, the University has experienced challenges and triumphs, all while attempting to maintain a focus on being a University that pleases God.

A group of North Texas Baptists established Decatur Baptist College in 1898 as the first two-year institution of higher education in Texas. Conceived as a feeder school for other universities, Decatur Baptist sought to bridge the gap between Texas’ public education system and larger colleges by allowing students to complete preparatory work along their way to a bachelor’s degree.

After much prayer and discussion, the decision was made to move the College to Dallas, thus establishing Dallas Baptist College, with its first classes being offered in the fall of 1965, with its first graduating class in 1970. In 1985, the College achieved university-status, becoming Dallas Baptist University and offering master’s programs for the first time.

Since that time, DBU has grown tremendously. Currently, the University offers 75 undergraduate majors, 37 master’s programs, 19 dual-degree programs, and two doctoral programs for its more than 4,200 students.

In addition, the University’s net assets have grown from $19.9 million to $244 million, and the University has finished each fiscal year in the black for the last 26 years. The campus has expanded from 200 acres to 368 acres.

86% of DBU’s full-time faculty have doctorates or terminal degrees, compared to 52% in 1988. Another 5% of the full-time faculty are currently working on a terminal degree.

The University also has an active international student population, with over 500 students at DBU, representing 59 countries.

In 2018, DBU once again received full reaffirmation from its accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. In addition, the University has expanded its reputation through partnerships and associations with other national accrediting and academic bodies.

The National Council on Teacher Quality continues to recognize the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education as one of the top teacher preparation programs in the country, receiving top marks for both its elementary preparation as well as its secondary preparation.

The University’s focus on servant leadership continues to grow through its service learning program, which integrates academic instruction, community service, and guided reflection from a Christ-centered, faith-based perspective in order to enhance student learning, to foster global civic responsibility, and to develop servant leaders. Each month, an estimated 2,000 DBU students provide over 10,000 service hours to non-profit organizations throughout the DFW Metroplex. Additionally, student-athletes participate in community service through the Global Sports Mission Initiative, where they have been involved in local and global projects.

Throughout the midst of this growth, the University has remained committed to its core mission statement—to produce servant leaders who have the ability to integrate faith and learning wherever the Lord may lead them. DBU graduates serve across the country and around the world as business leaders, entrepreneurs, teachers, lawyers, doctors, missionaries, athletes, administrators, pastors, and the list could go on.

In 2025, the University adopted a new Strategic Plan with goals that reflect this continuing commitment to being a University that above all else is pleasing to God. While the future may not be clear, the direction is. Dallas Baptist University will remain a Christ-centered institution for years to come.