Big 12 Schools: Members and Admission Information

For students who want the experience of a big research university with NCAA Division I athletics, the Big 12 is worth a close look. Each of these universities offers a wide range of academic and athletic opportunities. Admissions criteria vary widely, so you may want to dig deeper into the profile for each school for average ACT and SAT scores, acceptance rates and financial aid information. For direct comparisons of the students they admit, see the Big 12 SAT chart and the Big 12 ACT chart.

The Big 12 Conference is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision of the NCAA's Division I. You may also want to explore the schools in the other top conferences: ACC | Big East | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac 10 | SEC

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Baylor University

Baylor is the most selective university in the Big 12 with an acceptance rate of 44 percent. Its preprofessional programs, especially business, are among the most popular with undergraduates.

Location: Waco, Texas
School type: Private, Baptist affiliation
Enrollment: 16,959 (14,348 undergraduates)
Team: Bears
For ACT and SAT scores, acceptance rate, costs, financial aid, and other information, visit the Baylor University admissions profile.

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Iowa State (Iowa State University at Ames)

Like the University of Colorado at Boulder, Iowa State University at Ames is a member of the Association of American Universities. The university has particular strengths in the sciences, engineering, and agriculture.

Location: Ames, Iowa
School type: Public
Enrollment: 36,350 (30,671 undergraduates)
Team: Cyclones
For ACT and SAT scores, acceptance rate, costs, financial aid, and other information, visit the Iowa State University admissions profile.

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Kansas (University of Kansas at Lawrence)

Along with its excellent athletic programs, the University of Kansas at Lawrence wins high marks for both its high-level research and the quality of student life.

Location: Lawrence, Kansas
School type: Public
Enrollment: 27,565 (19,262 undergraduates)
Team: Jayhawks
Explore the Campus: KU Photo Tour
For ACT and SAT scores, acceptance rate, costs, financial aid, and other information, visit the University of Kansas admissions profile.

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Kansas State (Kansas State University at Manhattan)

Kansas State University takes pride in its high number of Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Goldwater, and Udall scholars. For programs in technology and aviation, students can attend the branch campus in Salina, Kansas.

Location: Manhattan, Kansas
School type: Public
Enrollment: 23,779 (19,472 undergraduates)
Team: Wildcats
For ACT and SAT scores, acceptance rate, costs, financial aid, and other information, visit the Kansas State University admissions profile.

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Oklahoma (University of Oklahoma at Norman)

University of Oklahoma Stadium. Majdan / Flickr

The University of Oklahoma at Norman enrolls an impressive number of National Merit Scholars, and it graduates a significant number of Rhodes Scholars. The university's quality of life and strong academics have earned it high marks for value.

Location: Norman, Oklahoma
School type: Public
Enrollment: 27,918 (21,609 undergraduates)
Team: Sooners
For ACT and SAT scores, acceptance rate, costs, financial aid, and other information, visit the University of Oklahoma admissions profile.

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Oklahoma State (Oklahoma State University at Stillwater)

Oklahoma State University's School of Business draws more students than any of the other schools at the university. Students with good grades and a strong work ethic should check out OSU's Honors College.

Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma
School type: Public
Enrollment: 25,622 (21,101 undergraduates)
Team: Cowboys
For ACT and SAT scores, acceptance rate, costs, financial aid, and other information, visit the Oklahoma State University admissions profile.

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Texas (University of Texas at Austin)

University of Texas, Austin, Tower. Silly Jilly / Flickr

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the top public universities in the country, and with over 50,000 students, it is also one of the largest. The McCombs School of Business is particularly strong.

Location: Austin, Texas
School type: Public
Enrollment: 51,331 (40,168 undergraduates)
Team: Longhorns
For ACT and SAT scores, acceptance rate, costs, financial aid, and other information, visit the University of Texas at Austin admissions profile.

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Texas Christian University

Texas Christian is strong academically -- the university has a 14 to 1 student/faculty ratio, and the student-teacher interaction is valued highly. For its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences, TCU was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Recent years have seen lots of campus construction, renovations and upgrades.

Location: Fort Worth, Texas
School type: Private, Christian Church
Enrollment: 10,394 (8,891 undergraduates)
Team: Horned Frogs
For admissions and financial data, see the Texas Christian admissions profile.

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Texas Tech (Texas Tech University at Lubbock)

With its attractive Spanish architecture, Texas Tech's 1,839-acre campus is one of the largest in the country. The university is far more than a tech school; in fact, of all of Texas Tech's Colleges, Arts and Sciences has the highest undergraduate enrollments.

Location: Lubbock, Texas
School type: Public
Enrollment: 36,551 (29,963 undergraduates)
Team: Red Raiders
For ACT and SAT scores, acceptance rate, costs, financial aid, and other information, visit the Texas Tech admissions profile.

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West Virginia University

West Virginia University, the flagship campus of the state university system, offers 185 degree programs, and the school was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences. Highly motivated students who are looking for smaller and more challenging classes should check out the WVU Honors College.

Location: Morgantown, West Virginia
School type: Public
Enrollment: 28,488 (22,350 undergraduates)
Team: Mountaineers
For acceptance rate, test scores, costs, and other information see the West Virginia University admissions profile

Big 12 Conference Schools