The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Location and Contact Information

2825 Lexington Rd
Louisville, KY 40280-0001
USA
Main Tel: (800) 626-5525
Web Site

The campus is in a large city.

Overview

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, also known as SBTS, is situated in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. It was established in 1859. The school is the oldest of the seminaries in Southern Baptist Convention and was founded by Basil Manly, Jr., John A. Broadus, James Petigru Boyce, and William Williams.

SBTS offers master degree programs, professional doctoral degree programs, research doctoral degree programs, undergraduate degrees, and diploma programs. The seminary is organized into the following five schools:

  • Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth
  • Boyce College (the undergraduate school of the seminary)
  • School of Church Music and Worship
  • School of Leadership and Church Ministry
  • School of Theology

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has an active student life. Many students of SBTS have gone on to become famous. Among them are Douglas Carver, Chief Chaplain U.S. Army 2007; Clarence Jordan, late founder of Koinonia Farm; and Edwin O. Ware, Sr., the first president of Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana.

Highlights (vs. Other Schools)

  • Southern Baptist religious affiliation.
  • Many students concentrating in religion and philosophy.
  • High percentage of students are from out-of-state.
  • High yield: the portion of accepted students who enroll.
  • High male/female ratio.
  • Selective admissions.
  • Numerous part-time students.

School characteristics:

  • The school is private, not-for-profit.
  • Academic calender: 4-1-4 plan.
  • Carnegie classification: Theological and faith-related.

Features of note:

  • The school offers a faculty tenure system.
  • There are one or more libraries on-campus.
  • Campus housing is available.
  • Distance learning is available.
  • Weekend study is an option.
  • Part-time classes are available.

Tuition and Financial Aid (2009-2010)

ItemCost
State Tuition and fees$ 13,190
Room$ 2,250
Board$ 2,500
Books and supplies$ 1,700
Other$ 1,500

Financial Aid

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary participates in US Title IV financial assistance programs.

In 2009-2010, 64% of students received financial aid of some sort.

Grants% of
Students		Average
Amount
Any Grant36%$1,468
Institutional Grant36%$1,468
Federal Grant  
Pell Grant  
Other Federal Grant  
State or Local Grant  

Loans% of
Students		Average
Amount
Student Loan28%$7,602
Federal Loan  
Other Loan28%$7,602

(Please refer to BrainTrack's financial aid articles section for background information.)

Similar Schools

Based on proprietary BrainTrack computer comparisons against all other US colleges, these schools appear to be most similar to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary:

Click a column header to sort.

 SchoolLocationEnrollment
1Central Christian College of the BibleMoberly, MO417
2Multnomah UniversityPortland, OR840
3Church of God Theological SeminaryCleveland, TN208
4Zion Bible CollegeHaverhill, MA247
5Washington Theological UnionWashington, DC252
6Florida Christian CollegeKissimmee, FL230
7New Orleans Baptist Theological SeminaryNew Orleans, LA2,742
8Johnson Bible CollegeKnoxville, TN801
9Asbury Theological SeminaryWilmore, KY1,602
10Life Pacific CollegeSan Dimas, CA514

Degrees Awarded (in 2009-2010)

DegreeTotal
Earned		Different
Programs
First-professional degree2511
Master1084
Doctorate924
Bachelor831
Associate71
2-4 year degree24

Faculty

Tenure (2009-2010):

Full-Time Faculty  Total
With tenure  38
Without tenure; working toward tenure  4
Without tenure; tenure not available  21

Students

Student enrollment was 3,356 in 2009-2010 (1,990 full-time equivalent).

About 72% of the freshmen class in 2009-2010 was male and women were 28% of the class.

Undergrads are 22% of enrolled students, graduate students are 34%, and those seeking first-professional graduate degrees represent 44%.

Students under 25 years old represent 24% of the student body. About 19% of the school is at least 40 years of age.

Among freshmen students, 82% are full-time and 18% are part-time.

Admissions Summary (2009-2010)

ApplicantsAdmitted
Men43%
Women33%
All40%

Room and Board

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary provides on-campus housing for 425 of its 1,990 (full-time) students (as of 2009-2010).

Graduate School Focus

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary offers graduate (post-Bachelor) studies. The highest degree offered is the Doctorate (Research/Scholarship).

Programs of Study

(Number of degrees in 2009-2010 in parentheses)

RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY (543 awarded)

  • Divinity/Ministry (BD, MDiv)
  • Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology
  • Religious Education
  • Religious/Sacred Music
  • Theology/Theological Studies