Southwest Baptist University
Bolivar, MO
Bolivar, MO
Earning a degree from SBU will lead to a world of opportunities you may have never imagined possible—and a future powered by purpose.
At Southwest Baptist University, your educational, social, and spiritual experiences will equip you for a lifetime of success as a servant leader—a direct reflection of our mission statement:
“Southwest Baptist University is a Christ-centered, caring academic community preparing students to be servant leaders in a global society.”
Choose from more than 80 areas of study on our residential campus in Bolivar, Missouri. You’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities for personal and professional achievement with opportunities such as internships, study abroad, mission projects, group projects, and independent research.
Caring faculty will help you pursue your purpose as you make connections and forge a personalized path in your faith, learning, and life.
SBU offers you the opportunity to develop and display your talents, whether it’s as a musician, an actor, a member of the Speaking Bearcats speech and debate team, or a student-athlete on one of our 19 NCAA Division II athletic teams.
Connecting with the SBU community is an integral part of your college experience. You can connect through more than 45 student organizations, residence hall activities, intramurals, and mission projects. You can also connect with the Bolivar community through a local church or service organization.
The Bolivar area has a lot to offer, including restaurants, four area lakes, nearby bike and running trails, and five state parks. Bolivar is just 25 minutes from Springfield, Missouri, the third-largest city in the state.
Your path to a Christian liberal arts education at SBU is a valued investment in your future. The University awards $23.7 million in scholarships and grants each year, with an average financial award of more than $27,000.
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One of 25 nationwide institutions to receive an “A” rating for general education curriculum | American Council of Trustees and Alumni |
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Named one of “America’s 100 Best College Buys” every year since 1996 |
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Named one of “America’s Best Christian Colleges” every year since 1997 |
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Named one of the nation’s “Best Private Colleges for Minimizing Student Debt” | LendEDU |
SBU’s Center for Global Connections (CGC) is a national leader in sending students on missions—coordinated domestic and international ministry projects—to experience diverse cultures and serve others while sharing the Gospel.
The CGC manages 25+ mission projects each year, resulting in 1,329 participants who have visited 48 countries during the past five years. You’ll grow as a servant leader, learn how to share your faith, and strengthen your spiritual walk.
“God calls each of us to share the good news with others,” says CGC Director Diana Gallamore. “We have a story to share that can change others’ lives.”
“SBU accepted all of my outside scholarships and offered me many SBU-specific grants and scholarships, which quickly made it a great option financially. The high level of education I received and lifelong support I have at SBU is priceless!”
“SBU’s culture of Christ-centeredness was prevalent in all of my classes. I knew at some point in every class that what I was doing would be related back to Christ. This is truly unique over other universities.”
“The support at SBU and the things I learned by being a college athlete really helped prepare me for what the mission says, ‘to be a servant leader in a global society.’”
“Southwest Baptist not only prepared me for the rigors of medical school academically but also helped equip me to be a faithful servant of Christ as a medical student—and one day, in my career as a physician.”