About Taylor University
Taylor University builds its reputation on integrating Christian faith with rigorous liberal arts education. The interdenominational college enrolls 1,890 students in rural Indiana farmland, creating a close-knit community where faith and academics intertwine. Students maintain a 91% retention rate, suggesting they find what they're looking for in this environment. The college operates on a Four-One-Four calendar system that includes a January term for intensive study or travel.
Most students pay far less than the $39,104 sticker price thanks to substantial aid. The average net price drops to $24,327 after financial assistance. Graduates typically leave with $20,500 in debt and earn a median salary of $52,198 ten years after graduation. Monthly loan payments average just $217, making the debt manageable against post-graduation income. The investment pays off with a 98.1% employment rate.
The student body skews female at 54% and draws from across the Midwest, with 43% coming from Indiana. Taylor fields 17 varsity sports teams competing in NAIA division with 424 student-athletes. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention. Campus housing accommodates 1,745 students, creating a residential college experience where community formation happens naturally.
Most students pay far less than the $39,104 sticker price thanks to substantial aid. The average net price drops to $24,327 after financial assistance. Graduates typically leave with $20,500 in debt and earn a median salary of $52,198 ten years after graduation. Monthly loan payments average just $217, making the debt manageable against post-graduation income. The investment pays off with a 98.1% employment rate.
The student body skews female at 54% and draws from across the Midwest, with 43% coming from Indiana. Taylor fields 17 varsity sports teams competing in NAIA division with 424 student-athletes. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention. Campus housing accommodates 1,745 students, creating a residential college experience where community formation happens naturally.
Academics & Faculty
Taylor integrates Christian faith into every academic discipline across its liberal arts curriculum. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students personally and can mentor them through both academic and spiritual questions. With a 77% four-year graduation rate, most students finish on time despite the rigorous faith-based coursework. The school excels in education, business, and missions programs that prepare students for service-oriented careers. Taylor's unique Four-One-Four calendar includes a January term where students pursue internships, mission trips, or intensive courses. The 91% retention rate reflects how well students connect with the close-knit academic community that challenges them intellectually while strengthening their faith.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 60.9%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 77.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 76.6%
- Retention Rate
- 91.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $52,198
- Carnegie Classification
- Baccalaureate College
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $64,773 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $54,109 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $53,984 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $46,790 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $38,529 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $35,864 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $35,416 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $31,133 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $30,119 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $28,598 |
Campus Life
Taylor's rural Indiana campus sits 70 miles northeast of Indianapolis, surrounded by farmland and small towns. The 91.26% retention rate reflects students who embrace this tight-knit Christian community. Winter coats are essential from December through February when temperatures regularly drop below freezing. With housing capacity for 1,745 students and total enrollment of 1,890, nearly everyone lives on campus creating a residential college feel.
The Four-One-Four calendar system gives students a month-long winter term for intensive courses or mission trips abroad. Students gather for daily chapel services and participate in Taylor's famous "Silent Night" basketball tradition where fans stay completely quiet until the team scores its tenth point. Weekend activities center around campus events, intramural sports among the 424 varsity athletes, and trips to nearby Fort Wayne or Indianapolis. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students personally. Taylor's interdenominational Christian identity shapes campus life through faith-integrated academics and a community covenant that guides student behavior both on and off campus.
The Four-One-Four calendar system gives students a month-long winter term for intensive courses or mission trips abroad. Students gather for daily chapel services and participate in Taylor's famous "Silent Night" basketball tradition where fans stay completely quiet until the team scores its tenth point. Weekend activities center around campus events, intramural sports among the 424 varsity athletes, and trips to nearby Fort Wayne or Indianapolis. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students personally. Taylor's interdenominational Christian identity shapes campus life through faith-integrated academics and a community covenant that guides student behavior both on and off campus.
- Setting
- Rural-Distant
- Housing Capacity
- 1,745 beds
- Calendar System
- Four-One-Four
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1846
Campus Safety (2023)
10 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burglary | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 18°–32°F
- July Avg
- 64°–83°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 39.7"
- Annual Snowfall
- 29.4"
Student Demographics
Taylor University draws students who want faith woven into their education at a small Christian college. With 57% coming from outside Indiana, the school attracts evangelicals nationwide seeking its distinctive interdenominational approach. The slight female majority reflects the university's strong education and social work programs that historically draw more women. Only 13% receive Pell Grants, indicating most families can afford the substantial tuition costs. The overwhelmingly white student body mirrors both the rural Indiana setting and the demographics of evangelical Christianity, creating a close-knit community united by shared faith commitments.
- Men
- 46.2%
- Women
- 53.8%
- White
- 79.6%
- Black
- 2.5%
- Hispanic
- 4.6%
- Asian
- 3.3%
- In-State Students
- 43.0%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 13.1%
Location
Taylor University sits in Upland, Indiana, about 70 miles northeast of Indianapolis. The campus occupies 952 acres in a quintessential small college town of roughly 3,800 residents. Rural Grant County surrounds the university with farmland and wooded areas that create an insulated academic environment. The 4-1-4 calendar system allows students to experience Indiana's distinct seasons, from snowy January term projects to spring outdoor activities. Only 43% of students come from in-state, giving this Midwest location a broader geographic mix. The nearest shopping and dining options require a drive to nearby Marion or Gas City. Students considering colleges in Indiana may also compare Taylor University with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Upland, Indiana 46989-1001
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $52,198
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $51,838
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $31,600
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 80.8%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $217/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $20,500
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Taylor University?
Taylor University accepts 75% of applicants, making it moderately selective for a Christian liberal arts college. The middle 50% of students score between 1090-1310 on the SAT, reflecting the school's commitment to admitting students who can handle rigorous faith-integrated academics.
How much does Taylor University cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $24,327 after aid, less than the sticker price of $51,092. The school keeps costs manageable with institutional grants averaging $23,303 for the 21% of students who receive them.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Taylor University?
Taylor maintains a 14:1 student-faculty ratio with 1,890 total students, ensuring personal attention in classes. The college is known for professors who actively integrate Christian faith with academic disciplines across all majors.
What do Taylor University graduates earn after college?
Taylor graduates earn a median of $52,198 ten years after graduation with typical monthly loan payments of $217. The school boasts a 98% employment rate and 77% four-year graduation rate, reflecting its strong preparation for career success.
Where is Taylor University located and what is campus life like?
Taylor sits in rural Upland, Indiana, housing 1,745 students in a close-knit Christian community. The campus culture emphasizes spiritual growth alongside academics, with 424 student-athletes competing in 17 NAIA sports as the Trojans.
Does Taylor University require students to be Christian?
Taylor operates as an interdenominational Christian college founded in 1846, integrating faith throughout its liberal arts curriculum. The school maintains its Christian identity while welcoming students from diverse backgrounds, with 80% of students being white and 43% coming from Indiana.
