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Nelson University

Waxahachie, TX·Private·www.nelson.edu/

Campus Identity

NAIAPhD Programs

Nelson University is a small private nonprofit university in Waxahachie, TX. Approximately 1,479 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 89% acceptance rate. Bardwell Lake is about 11 miles from campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 89/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

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At a Glance

Nelson University is a small private nonprofit university in Waxahachie, TX. Approximately 1,479 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 89% acceptance rate. Bardwell Lake is about 11 miles from campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 89/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

89%
Acceptance Rate
656 applications
20
ACT Score (50th %ile)
$25,064
2024-25 Tuition
$21,662
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$10,466
Room & Board
1,479
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
57%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
42%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity89% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

460500550

SAT Math

430480540

Campus Lifestyle

Nelson University is a 1,000–4,999, suburban school with NAIA athletics. The campus is 499 miles from Snow Creek Ski Area.

Athletics

NAIA

Sooner

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Suburban setting

Ski Access

499 miles

Snow Creek Ski Area

Weather

Warm Climate

59°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

Nelson University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Snow Creek Ski Area, 499 miles away with 6 lifts and 30 skiable acres. All are within 660 miles of campus.

499 mi away
30 skiable acres6 lifts
621 mi away
50 skiable acres2 lifts

Nearby Lake

Bardwell Lake is 11 miles from campus, giving Nelson University students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Bardwell Lake

Lake access within 10.6 miles

11 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Waxahachie, TX

Waxahachie has a warm climate, with winters averaging 45°F in Jan and summers peaking around 85°F in Aug.

45°Jan49°Feb56°Mar64°Apr73°May81°Jun84°Jul85°Aug78°Sep67°Oct55°Nov47°Dec

Station: WAXAHACHIE · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

Nelson University in TX earns a composite safety score of 89/100, rated Pretty Safe among U.S. colleges.

89/100
Pretty Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety10010044
100/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
100/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
44/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$25,064
Fees
$960
Room & Board
$10,466
Total
$36,490
App Fee: $35
$21,662avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

72 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Religion/Religious StudiesAssociate's
111 grads/yr$46,892
Bible/Biblical StudiesAssociate's
65 grads/yr$45,704
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized MinistriesBachelor's
57 grads/yr$39,707
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesBachelor's
40 grads/yr$47,277
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
32 grads/yr$52,229

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Marketing
Bachelor's7 grads$66,477
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's22 grads$62,264
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
Master's9 grads$55,000
Psychology, General
Associate's5 grads$54,750
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Associate's7 grads$53,275
Theological and Ministerial Studies
Master's12 grads$53,150
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Bachelor's32 grads$52,229
Education, General
Bachelor's2 grads$50,491
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Bachelor's40 grads$47,277
Religion/Religious Studies
Associate's111 grads$46,892

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Nelson University located?

Nelson University is located in Waxahachie, TX. The main campus address is 1200 Sycamore, Waxahachie, TX. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Nelson University?

Nelson University has an acceptance rate of 89%, making it accessible. Out of 656 applicants, 584 were admitted in the most recent year. 1,479 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Nelson University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Nelson University scored between ? and ? on the ACT, with a median of 20. About 1% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Nelson University?

For the 2024-25 academic year, Nelson University charges $25,064/year in tuition. Including room and board ($10,466/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $17,404/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $21,662/year — what students actually pay. Use Nelson University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Nelson University?

The undergraduate application fee at Nelson University is $35. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Nelson University have college sports?

Yes — Nelson University competes at the NAIA level in the Sooner. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.

Is Nelson University the right fit for me?

Whether Nelson University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (89% admit rate), avg net price ($21,662/year after aid), campus culture in Waxahachie, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Nelson University against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Nelson University directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Waxahachie, TX
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
NCAA
NAIA
Conference
Sooner
School Year Weather
Warm · 59°F avg
App Fee
$35
On Campus Safety Score
89/100
Nearest Airport
Dallas, TX (DAL) · 30 mialso DFW (36 mi), FTW (41 mi)

Location

Waxahachie, TX

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.