Missouri Baptist University

What Missouri Baptist University does

Missouri Baptist University is a private Christian liberal arts university founded in 1956 and headquartered at One College Park Drive in West St. Louis County, Missouri. The institution serves approximately 5,000 students (4,400 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate) across 71 programs organized into four colleges: the Robert W. Plaster College of Business & Entrepreneurship, the College of Education, the College of Arts & Humanities, and the College of Science & Health, plus the Mary Pillsbury School of Nursing. MBU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, maintains a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and offers 28 NAIA varsity athletic teams. Distribution runs through four channels: the main residential campus, 11 regional learning centers across Metro St. Louis, MBU Online, and the Early College Partnerships dual-credit program serving 45+ high school communities.

The revenue model is tuition-driven with flat pricing regardless of in-state or out-of-state residency. Full-time undergraduate tuition is $17,820 per semester ($35,640 annualized for 12-18 credit hours), part-time undergraduate is $1,233 per credit hour, and graduate tuition ranges from $514 per credit hour (MBA) to $864 per credit hour (Ed.D.). Auxiliary revenue comes from on-campus housing ($3,840-$6,330/semester) and mandatory meal plans ($1,946-$2,361/semester). The pricing model is heavily discounted: 90% of students pay less than half of sticker tuition, and 50% pay only half, supported by financial aid, the Together We Shine capital campaign, and major foundation gifts including the Robert W. Plaster Foundation and J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation. International students from 30+ countries and 750 athletic scholarship recipients diversify the payer mix.

MBU's go-to-market is sales-led with segmented enrollment counselors for freshmen, transfer, international, graduate, and doctoral populations, supported by paid digital marketing, virtual campus tours, on-campus visit events, and email nurture sequences. Recent strategic activity includes the April 2025 groundbreaking of a 22,000 sq ft Pillsbury Wainwright Academic & Welcome Center, Board approval of a new Master of Public Health program in 2025, and reported record enrollment for the 2025-2026 academic year. The technology stack is standard higher-ed infrastructure (LMS, MOBIUS library consortium, EBSCO research databases, Parchment and National Student Clearinghouse for transcripts, Nelnet for tuition billing) with no disclosed AI/ML differentiation.

Name

Missouri Baptist University

Legal name

Missouri Baptist University

Website

https://mobap.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Missouri Baptist University is a private Christian university in St. Louis, Missouri, serving approximately 5,000 students across 71 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. It operates through a main campus, 11 regional learning centers, MBU Online, and dual-credit partnerships, generating revenue primarily through tuition, housing, and philanthropy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Arts, Humanities & Creative Research Universities (EDAHABAG)

Keywords

• Private higher education
• Christian university
• Undergraduate programs
• Graduate programs
• Online degree programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint-louis-de-montferrand

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue stream from undergraduate and graduate tuition. Full-time undergraduate tuition is $17,820 per semester for 12-18 credit hours. Part-time students pay $1,233 per credit hour. Graduate tuition varies by program from $514-$864 per credit hour.
2. Room and Board: On-campus housing and meal plans generate auxiliary revenue. Housing options range from $3,840 to $6,330 per semester. Meal plans range from $1,946 to $2,361 per semester.
3. Academic Services: Fees for specific programs and services including nursing program fees ($1,550), private music lessons ($203-$400), textbook fees ($27/credit hour), and various course and lab fees.
4. Donations and Grants: The Together We Shine capital campaign raises funds for a new academic building, welcome center, and increased endowment. Major grants from foundations like the Robert W. Plaster Foundation and J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation support construction and programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Missouri Baptist University is a private Christian university offering 71 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs across four colleges: the Robert W. Plaster College of Business & Entrepreneurship, College of Education, College of Arts & Humanities, and College of Science & Health. Programs are delivered through on-campus instruction at the main St. Louis campus, 11 regional learning centers, and MBU Online for distance learners, with specialized offerings in nursing, counseling, education, business, and ministry. The university serves over 5,000 students with a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio and provides auxiliary services including housing, meal plans, and student support centers.

Product overview

Missouri Baptist University operates as a comprehensive private Christian university offering 71 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs through four colleges: the Robert W. Plaster College of Business & Entrepreneurship, College of Education, College of Arts & Humanities, and College of Science & Health. The university's portfolio includes specialized schools such as the Mary Pillsbury School of Nursing, alongside online programs (MBU Online), academic support centers (Jung-Kellogg Learning Center, Student Success Center), and dual credit partnerships (Early College Partnerships, Dual Enrollment). MBU also offers honors programming and hosts an annual Faith and Research Conference. The institution provides on-campus, online, and hybrid learning options across its main campus in St. Louis and regional learning centers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MBU Spartans: The athletic teams and athletic program of Missouri Baptist University, competing in NAIA sports.
• MBU Online
• Together We Shine Campaign
• Robert W. Plaster College of Business & Entrepreneurship
• Mary Pillsbury School of Nursing
• Jung-Kellogg Learning Center

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs Bachelor's degree programs across four colleges (Business & Entrepreneurship, Education, Arts & Humanities, Science & Health) including nursing, exercise science, education, business administration, psychology, cybersecurity, and ministry. Designed for traditional college-age students as well as adult learners.
• Master of Social Work (MSW) Graduate social work program preparing students for careers in social work practice with options for advanced standing for qualified applicants. Designed for working professionals and recent undergraduates seeking MSW credentials.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) Graduate business degree program available on campus and online, preparing students for leadership roles in business and entrepreneurship. Includes an accelerated 4+1 BS in BA to MBA option.
• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Doctoral programs in Higher Education Leadership and Leadership in Teaching and Learning preparing students for visionary leadership in PK-12 districts and higher education institutions.
• Master of Public Health New graduate program approved by MBU's Board of Trustees in 2025, expanding health-related educational offerings at the university.
• MBU Online Flexible online degree programs combining faith roots with academics for undergraduate and graduate students. Offers programs in business, sport management, cybersecurity, counseling, and more with online delivery options.
• Early College Partnerships (ECP) Dual credit program with public and private high schools established in 1983. Takes place on high school campuses, serving more than 45 communities, allowing qualified high school students to enroll in quality MBU courses.
• Dual Enrollment College credit program for homeschooled and high school students to gain college credit through MBU's main campus classes or online, completing requirements for their high school diploma.
• Robert W. Plaster College of Business & Entrepreneurship College offering business programs including the 4+1 Accelerated BS in BA to MBA, Network Engineering, Cybersecurity, and various business administration degrees at undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Mary Pillsbury School of Nursing School of Nursing offering Bachelor of Science in Nursing, RN to BSN, RN to MSN, and Master of Science in Nursing programs with various specializations including Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator.
• College of Education College offering education programs including Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Science in Education, Educational Specialist degrees, and various certificate programs for teacher education and educational leadership.
• College of Arts & Humanities College offering programs in theological studies, Christian ministry, performing arts, communications, and humanities with emphasis on integration of faith and learning.
• College of Science & Health College offering programs in nursing, exercise science, social work, natural sciences, mathematics, chemistry, and health-related fields with state-of-the-art facilities.
• Jung-Kellogg Learning Center Student learning resource center featuring collaborative workstations, ideation labs with state-of-the-art technology, video conferencing pitch room, and MBU Makerspace. Also houses the Office of Alumni Engagement and Career Development. Partners with MOBIUS for access to millions of physical books and eBooks across Missouri libraries.
• Student Success Center Academic support services including tutoring, writing services, study skills development, testing services, student accessibility services, and student success advisors to enhance learning inside and outside the classroom.
• MBU Honors Interdisciplinary honors program forming students as scholars, neighbors, investigators, servants, and citizens of the world through small seminar courses, service learning, study abroad, and peer mentoring.
• Faith and Research Conference Annual spring conference welcoming presenters from all universities to address the intersection of Christian faith and rigorous academic research, promoting collaboration among faculty and students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio enables personal attention and mentorship
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature2 records

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Evangel University: Evangel University is a private, Assemblies of God-affiliated comprehensive university in Springfield, Missouri, offering undergraduate and graduate programs. It mirrors MBU on faith affiliation, mission, program breadth (including online), and private Christian positioning.
• College of the Ozarks: College of the Ozarks is a private Christian liberal arts college in Point Lookout, Missouri, known for its 'Hard Work U' model and no-tuition scholarship approach. Comparable to MBU on faith-based mission, Missouri footprint, and undergraduate focus.
• Greenville University: Greenville University is a private Christian university in Greenville, Illinois, affiliated with the Free Methodist Church. It is comparable to MBU on faith-based mission, residential undergraduate experience, small class sizes, and similar tuition-discounting economics.
• Drury University: Drury University is a private university in Springfield, Missouri, with a strong liberal arts tradition and growing online programs. Comparable to MBU in program breadth, faith heritage, and tuition-discounting model.
• Maryville University of Saint Louis: Maryville University is a large private university in Town and Country, Missouri, that competes with MBU across nursing, business, and online programs in the St. Louis market and nationally through Maryville Online. It is a direct competitor for adult-learner and graduate enrollment.
• Hannibal-LaGrange University: Hannibal-LaGrange University is a private Baptist-affiliated university in Hannibal, Missouri, offering associate through graduate programs. Comparable to MBU on Baptist heritage, regional Missouri presence, and broad program mix including nursing and education.
• McKendree University: McKendree University is a private, United Methodist-affiliated university based in Lebanon, Illinois, with extension sites in the St. Louis metro. It competes with MBU on regional undergraduate recruitment, nursing, business, and adult-learner programs.
• Fontbonne University: Fontbonne University is a small Catholic-affiliated private university in St. Louis that competes with MBU for Metro St. Louis undergraduate and graduate students, particularly in education, business, and arts programs. Comparable on size, faith heritage, and regional positioning.
• Webster University: Webster University is a private, nonprofit university headquartered in Webster Groves (St. Louis metro) with a global campus network and strong online footprint. It competes with MBU on graduate, international, and online offerings in the same metropolitan recruitment area.
• Lindenwood University: Lindenwood University is a private, faith-affiliated university in St. Charles, Missouri, serving the same St. Louis metro market with comparable undergraduate, graduate, and online programs across business, education, and the arts. It is one of MBU's closest direct competitors on price, programs, and student profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/mobaptistu
• Xx.com/MoBaptistU
• Facebookfacebook.com/42051361330
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/missouri-baptist-university

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Missouri Baptist University