The History of Baker University

Founded in 1858, Baker University is the oldest college in Kansas. Baker is a small, independent, coeducational university affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The University includes three components — the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Professional and Graduate Studies, and the School of Nursing.

BU’s College of Arts and Sciences is located at its main (and original) campus in Baldwin City, Kansas, about 45 miles southwest of Kansas City, Missouri, and 15 miles south of Lawrence, Kansas. The campus, shaded by a forest of stately oak and maple trees, is the centerpiece of Baldwin City, a rural town of about 6,000 persons. Undergraduate students live and study at the Baldwin City campus, where they can achieve Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science degree, Bachelor of Music Education or Bachelor of Music degrees. Nearly 40 different degree majors are available at the Baldwin City campus.

With a faculty to student ratio of 15:1, Baker University prides itself in personalized educational opportunities. The tranquil, rural setting of Baldwin City provides BU’s students with an atmosphere exceedingly conducive to their educational, spiritual and interpersonal development.

Throughout it’s history, Baker University has been acclaimed for its ability to provide students excellence in educational as well as personal development. The University has been cited by The Gourman Report as the top private college in Kansas based on the quality of its faculty and facilities. BU academic achievements have been noted by a ranking of second among Kansas Colleges for the percentage of its students earning acceptance to graduate schools.