• Skip to main content
  • Skip to main navigation
Baylor University
Graduate School
  • About
    • Academic Calendars
    • Research Profiles
    • Annual Reports
    • Staff Directory
    • Graduate School Forms, Policy, and Appeals
    • News
  • Admissions
    • Apply Now
    • Visit Campus
    • Why Baylor?
    • How To Apply
      • Submitting Test Scores
      • April 15th Deadline for Fall Offers
      • Writing a Personal Statement
    • International Applicants
      • International: English Proficiency
      • International: Required Documents
    • Admission FAQs
    • Admitted Student Checklist
      • What does "official" mean?
      • Moving To Waco
      • New Graduate Student Orientation
      • Things to Know When Registering for Classes
      • Immunization Requirements
      • Admitted International Students
      • Admitted Student FAQs
  • Areas of Study
    • Interdisciplinary Research Areas
      • Health Research in the Social Sciences
      • Religion
      • Biomedical Research
      • Materials Science & Engineering
    • Degrees and Programs
    • Graduate Catalog
    • Baylor Colleges and Schools
      • Army-Baylor
      • Baylor Law School
      • College of Arts & Sciences
      • Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
      • George W. Truett Seminary
      • Hankamer School of Business
      • Honors College
      • Louise Herrington School of Nursing
      • Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
      • School of Education
      • School of Engineering & Computer Science
      • School of Music
  • Benefits & Financial Support
    • Health Insurance Benefits
    • Childbirth & Adoption
    • Short-Term Leave
    • Baylor Funding Opportunities
  • Faculty & Staff Resources
    • Graduate Program Directors & Coordinators
      • Responsibilities & Resources
      • How to Run a Degree Audit
      • Catalog & Curricular Revisions
      • GPD Listing
    • Recruitment & Admissions
      • Recruitment Resources
      • Graduate Admissions Handbook
      • 2024-2025 Graduate Admissions Handbook
      • Acceptance Letter Requirements
      • Recruiting Funds
    • Mentoring
      • Mentoring in Business
      • Mentoring in Education
      • Mentoring in Engineering & Computer Science
      • Mentoring in Social Sciences
      • Mentoring in the Humanities
      • Mentoring in the Sciences
    • Your Graduate Students
      • Graduate School Forms
      • Graduate Student Payroll
      • Graduate Student TORs
    • For Graduate Faculty
      • Search for Baylor Graduate Faculty
      • Graduate Council
      • Graduate Curriculum Committee
      • GPS Faculty Development Workshops
      • Graduate Faculty Rights & Membership
      • Co-Authorship Resources
    • Slate Links
  • Student Resources
    • Professional Development
      • Research & Scholarship
      • Teaching & Pedagogy
      • Career Exploration
    • Funding & Award Opportunities
      • Fellowships & Awards
      • Graduate Student Job Openings
      • Travel Awards & External Funding
    • Campus Life
      • Graduate Student Association (GSA)
      • Things to Do at Baylor
      • Calendar & Deadlines
    • Health & Wellness
      • Health Services & Telehealth
      • Counseling Center
      • Campus Recreation
    • Faith & Scholarship
      • Baptist Scholarship
      • Conyers Scholars
      • Ramm Scholars
    • Living in Waco
      • Waco Cultural Guide
      • Living in Waco
      • Housing, Transportation, & Nutrition
    • TWO Newsletter
    • Completing Your Degree
      • Graduate School Forms
      • Dissertation & Thesis Overview
      • Requirements for Graduation
      • Completing Your Degree FAQs
  • Apply Now
  • Canvas
Baylor BU Graduate School Admissions Admitted Student Checklist Moving To Waco
  • Apply Now
  • Visit Campus
  • Why Baylor?
  • How To Apply
  • International Applicants
  • Admission FAQs
  • Admitted Student Checklist
    • What does "official" mean?
    • Moving To Waco
    • New Graduate Student Orientation
    • Things to Know When Registering for Classes
    • Immunization Requirements
    • Admitted International Students
    • Admitted Student FAQs

Moving To Waco

 

Here are some resources for re-settling to Waco, Texas. You'll find things to do, places to go, and ways to plug in locally. Once you're settled in, check out our Living in Waco page for all the accounts and links you'll need around Baylor and Waco. 

 

You can also check out our Living in Waco guide on Instagram.

Living in Waco

About Waco

A renaissance accelerated by Baylor University and Fixer Upper; a 1950s downtown shattered by one of America's most lethal tornadoes; post-Civil War estates and an annual Cotton Palace Pageant; a rowdy cowtown where cattle drives gathered to cross the Brazos river; a village of Huaco Indians:  Waco, Texas has a rich history and a flourishing present.

Facts about Waco
  • The City of Waco is home to around 139,000 people.  Adding in surrounding suburbs almost doubles that number to an estimated 270,000 (2020 figures).
  • The cost of living in Waco, based on an index where the national average is 100, comes in at 78.9, indicating that the cost of living in Waco is cheaper than the national average.  The median home value in Waco, according to Zillow is $220,133 (as of July 2023).
  • Located on I-35, from Waco you can drive to either the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex or Austin, the capital of Texas, in under 2 hours.
  • Waco is the county seat of McLennan County.
  • Waco is home to 3 institutions of higher education:
    • Baylor University
    • Texas State Technical College
    • McLennan Community College
Outdoors in Waco

 See Heart of Texas Sports and Recreation information.

Popular with graduate students: 
  • Cameron Park for biking/walking/hiking trails along the river or climbing hills to clifftop panoramic views
  • Heart of Texas Dog Park
  • Lake Waco and surrounding parks
  • Lake Waco Wetlands
  • Waco Suspension Bridge and Riverwalk
Housing in Waco

The earlier you arrange your housing, the more options you will find available. As the fall semester approaches, housing options become more limited since many undergraduate and graduate students are searching for accommodations.

The following links will assist you with housing options:

  • Graduate Student Housing Community
  • Off campus housing
  • A popular website for students seeking apartments and/or roommates is www.bearcribs.com.
  • McLennan County also offers a free rental housing search website at https://wacohousingsearch.org/.  
Groceries in Waco

Waco has a number of great grocery stores and markets with access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats—even international options! 

Favorites among graduate students:
  • Aldi 
  • Da’Shack Farmer’s Market 
  • Downtown Farmer’s Market 
  • HEB 
  • Jubilee Food Market
  • Sam’s Club 
  • Target 
  • Walmart
  • World Market 
Dining in Waco

Do you like dining?  From food trucks to family-owned restaurants, international flavors to farm-grown produce, check out Waco's food scene at Heart of Texas Dining.

Popular with graduate students: 
  • Alpha Omega
  • Backyard Stage and Grill
  • Bangkok Royal
  • Clay Pot
  • Common Grounds
  • Dichotomy Coffee Shop
  • George's
  • Pinewood Roasters
  • Waco Food Trucks:  some local lists are Downtown Food Trucks, Food Trucks at the Silos, and Route 77 Food Park.
  • Waco Farmers Market (Saturdays year round)

Waco Guide - Locals Love Us

Coffee in Waco

See our Waco Coffee guide on Instagram. 

Family in Waco

Are you bringing a family?  Waco is extremely family-friendly, starring the Mayborn Museum and Cameron Park Zoo, and offering multiple school choices and family activities. See Heart of Texas for Family Entertainment and a ranking of local private schools.

Popular with graduate students with families: 
  • Cameron Park Zoo
  • Free Stuff to Do
  • Mayborn Museum
  • Waco Water Spray Parks
  • Waco Moms Facebook page
Childcare and Schools
  • Waco ISD
  • Midway ISD
  • Robinson ISD
  • China Spring
  • Private Schools
  • Greater Waco Christian Home Educators
  • Many local churches offer "Mother's Day Out" (MDO) or "Parent's Day Out" (PDO) programs for pre-school children, usually 2 or 3 days per week
Sports in Waco

Are you a sports fan?  Between Baylor University, Cameron Park, the Heart of Texas Rodeo, and area facilities such as Cottonwood Creek golf course, choose whether to watch or play. See your choices at the Waco Heart of Texas Sports listings and Extraco Events Center.

Popular with graduate students: 
  • Baylor Athletics (free tickets for students!) 
  • Cycling
  • Texas Sports Hall of Fame
Living Local in Waco

Looking to get plugged in locally?  From churches to charities to clubs, Waco offers multiple ways to connect.

Popular with graduate students : 
  • local churches
  • Act Locally Waco & the Act Locally weekly newsletter
  • Mission Waco
  • Waco Walks
Transportation in Waco

Getting around a new place can be difficult. These resources might help. 

  • Airports (Waco, DFW, DAL, and Austin) 
  • Waco Transit System
  • Zip-Car 
  • Baylor University Shuttle
Churches & Religious Organizations in Waco

Waco is home to a large number of churches and religious organizations. If you are interested in investing in your spiritual life while a graduate student at Baylor, these local church and organization lists are the place to begin.  

  • Local Churches list collected by Baylor University
  • Church Search Websites:  Church Angel, Churches-In
Arts in Waco

Do you like the arts?  Baylor University offers its own drama, music, and art events, and you can find more choices at McLennan Community College, Waco Civic Theatre, and local music events (see the Waco Tribune Calendar). 

Popular with graduate students : 
  • Baylor Music
  • Baylor Theatre
  • Brazos Nights free summer concert series
  • Hippodrome
  • Waco Symphony Orchestra
History in Waco

Do you love history?  Baylor has a rich history that can be found in places small and large. See Waco History for a start. 

Popular with graduate students : 
  • Armstrong Browning Library 
  • Doris Miller Memorial
  • Historic Waco Foundation Home Tours
  • Mayborn Museum Complex
  • Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum
  • Waco Mammoth National Monument 
  • Waco Suspension Bridge
  • Waco Tours
More from Waco

Research all your options at the City of Waco website , the Waco Tribune Calendar, and the Waco Heart of Texas visitor guide, expand your search to nearby Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, and the Texas Hill Country, or explore the entire state of Texas.

For Baylor-specific information, you can also find:

  • a list of on-campus resources and recreation at our Campus Resources page
  • on-campus housing information on our Graduate Student Housing Community page 
  • helpful information for Moving To Waco
  • Waco Guide - Locals Love Us

Baylor Graduate School

Baylor Graduate School
Morrison Hall, Suite 200
One Bear Place #97264
Waco, TX 76798-7264

GraduateAdmissions@baylor.edu
(254) 710-3588
Fax: (254) 710-3870
Apply
Visit
Make a Gift
Live Chat
Baylor BU Graduate School Admissions Admitted Student Checklist Moving To Waco
  • About
    Back
    • Academic Calendars
    • Research Profiles
    • Annual Reports
    • Staff Directory
    • Graduate School Forms, Policy, and Appeals
    • News
  • Admissions
    Back
    • Apply Now
    • Visit Campus
    • Why Baylor?
    • How To Apply
      Back
      • Submitting Test Scores
      • April 15th Deadline for Fall Offers
      • Writing a Personal Statement
    • International Applicants
      Back
      • International: English Proficiency
      • International: Required Documents
        Back
        • Required Documents by Country
    • Admission FAQs
    • Admitted Student Checklist
      Back
      • What does "official" mean?
      • Moving To Waco
      • New Graduate Student Orientation
      • Things to Know When Registering for Classes
      • Immunization Requirements
      • Admitted International Students
      • Admitted Student FAQs
  • Areas of Study
    Back
    • Interdisciplinary Research Areas
      Back
      • Health Research in the Social Sciences
        Back
        • Biological Mechanisms
        • Psychosocial Mechanisms
        • Policy
        • Clinical
      • Religion
      • Biomedical Research
      • Materials Science & Engineering
        Back
        • Materials Research at Baylor
        • Affiliated Faculty
        • PhD Program Requirements
        • MS Program Requirements
    • Degrees and Programs
    • Graduate Catalog
    • Baylor Colleges and Schools
      Back
      • Army-Baylor
      • Baylor Law School
      • College of Arts & Sciences
      • Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
      • George W. Truett Seminary
      • Hankamer School of Business
      • Honors College
      • Louise Herrington School of Nursing
      • Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
      • School of Education
      • School of Engineering & Computer Science
      • School of Music
  • Benefits & Financial Support
    Back
    • Health Insurance Benefits
    • Childbirth & Adoption
    • Short-Term Leave
    • Baylor Funding Opportunities
  • Faculty & Staff Resources
    Back
    • Graduate Program Directors & Coordinators
      Back
      • Responsibilities & Resources
      • How to Run a Degree Audit
      • Catalog & Curricular Revisions
        Back
        • Accelerated UG/GR Degrees
          Back
          • Guidelines for Programs
          • Creating/Proposing Accelerated Options
          • University Policies & Processes for Accelerated UG/GR Programs
      • GPD Listing
    • Recruitment & Admissions
      Back
      • Recruitment Resources
      • Graduate Admissions Handbook
      • 2024-2025 Graduate Admissions Handbook
      • Acceptance Letter Requirements
      • Recruiting Funds
    • Mentoring
      Back
      • Mentoring in Business
      • Mentoring in Education
      • Mentoring in Engineering & Computer Science
      • Mentoring in Social Sciences
      • Mentoring in the Humanities
      • Mentoring in the Sciences
    • Your Graduate Students
      Back
      • Graduate School Forms
      • Graduate Student Payroll
        Back
        • Graduate Student Monthly Payroll Forms
        • Policies & Frequently Asked Questions
      • Graduate Student TORs
    • For Graduate Faculty
      Back
      • Search for Baylor Graduate Faculty
      • Graduate Council
        Back
        • Graduate Council Meeting Minutes
      • Graduate Curriculum Committee
      • GPS Faculty Development Workshops
      • Graduate Faculty Rights & Membership
      • Co-Authorship Resources
    • Slate Links
  • Student Resources
    Back
    • Professional Development
      Back
      • Research & Scholarship
        Back
        • GPS Workshops
          Back
          • Academic Success
            Back
            • Back to Basics: Practical Tips for Graduate Writing and Research
            • Beginning with the End in Mind
            • Conferencing Well
            • Note Taking with the Zettelkasten Method
            • Creating a Poster Presentation
            • The Fulbright: Graduate Student Participation
            • Grant Writing - March 2024
            • Grants & Scholarships & Funding, Oh My!
            • Grant Writing - February 2023
            • Set Up Your Scientific Writing
            • Behind the Curtain of Peer Review
            • Practical Pedagogy: Lecture for Learning
            • Practical Pedagogy: Active Learning
            • Practical Pedagogy: Cultivating Your Teaching Persona
            • Practical Pedagogy: Effortless Engagement; Easy Ways to Bring Technology into the Classroom
            • Practical Pedagogy: Rubrics, Rubrics, Rubrics
            • Practical Pedagogy: Writing Good Test Questions
            • Practical Pedagogy: Making Group Work Work
            • Practical Pedagogy: Teaching Situations No One Prepared You For
            • Practical Pedagogy: Discussions That Teach
          • Job Search Preparation
            Back
            • Career Diversity
            • The Pivot Playbook: Adapting & Thriving in Your Next Chapter
            • Diversity Statements
            • Post-Doctoral Opportunities in Canada
            • Developing Your Online Presence
            • Composing Yourself: CVs and Resumes
            • Alt-Ac Careers
            • How to Interview
            • Mock Interviews
          • Wellness
            Back
            • Building & Balancing Community
            • Mental Wellbeing in Graduate School
            • Faith and Work
            • Failing Forward
            • Self-Care
            • Healthy Living in Graduate School
        • Graduate Writing Center
          Back
          • Make An Appointment
          • Meet Our Consultants
          • Events & Resources
          • For Faculty and GPDs
          • Writing Center FAQs
        • Campus Academic Resources
        • Graduate School Forms, Policy, and Appeals
          Back
          • Graduate School Forms
          • Graduate Student Complaints or Grievances
          • Advisor/Advisee Agreement
          • Policy on Professional Conduct
          • Dismissal Appeal Form
          • Baylor University Student Policies & Procedures
        • Summer Dissertation Fellows
          Back
          • Dissertation Fellows
      • Teaching & Pedagogy
        Back
        • Academy for Teaching & Learning Resources
        • Teacher of Record Information
        • Teaching Capstone in Higher Education
        • Seminars for Excellence in Teaching
        • International Teaching Assistants (ITAs)
      • Career Exploration
    • Funding & Award Opportunities
      Back
      • Fellowships & Awards
        Back
        • Data Research Fellowship
        • Doctoral Administrative Fellowship
        • Postdoctoral Teaching Fellowship
        • Outstanding Dissertation Award
        • Outstanding Instructor Award
        • Outstanding Research Award
        • Outstanding Grant Proposal Award
      • Graduate Student Job Openings
      • Travel Awards & External Funding
        Back
        • Travel Awards
          Back
          • Apply for Professional Meeting Support
          • Apply for Doctoral Research Support
          • 2024-2025 Travel Awards
          • 2023-2024 Travel Awards
          • 2022-2023 Travel Awards
          • 2021-2022 Travel Awards
          • 2020-2021 Travel Awards
          • 2019-2020 Travel Awards
          • 2018-2019 Travel Awards
          • 2025-2026 Travel Awards
        • External Funding Resources
          Back
          • Events & Seminars
          • External Funding Opportunities
          • Workshops
          • Citizenship Not Required Funding Opportunities
    • Campus Life
      Back
      • Graduate Student Association (GSA)
      • Things to Do at Baylor
      • Calendar & Deadlines
    • Health & Wellness
      Back
      • Health Services & Telehealth
      • Counseling Center
      • Campus Recreation
    • Faith & Scholarship
      Back
      • Baptist Scholarship
        Back
        • BCU Scholars
          Back
          • Current BCU Scholars
          • BCU Scholar Alumni
          • The Schmeltekopf Fellowship for Educational Leadership
            Back
            • Don Schmeltekopf: Early Life and Foundations
            • Graduate Education and the NEH (1963 - 1984)
            • Mars Hill and Baptist Culture (1985-1990)
            • A New Vision for Baylor (1990-2006)
            • The Future of Baptist Education
            • Service Recognized
            • Judy Schmeltekopf: Faith, Family, and Baptist Life
            • Faith and Learning at Baylor: Reflections by Dr. Michael Beaty
            • Don Schmeltekopf: Some Thoughts by Dr. David Solomon
            • Testimonials from Friends of the Schmeltekopf Fellowship
            • Past Schmeltekopf Fellows
        • BSIR
      • Conyers Scholars
        Back
        • Conyers Scholars Residential Program
          Back
          • Conyers Scholars Residential Program Leaders
          • Current Conyers Scholars (Residential)
          • Past Conyers Scholars (Residential)
        • Conyers Scholars Online Program
          Back
          • Frequently Asked Questions
          • Leaders
        • Who was A.J. "Chip" Conyers?
      • Ramm Scholars
    • Living in Waco
      Back
      • Waco Cultural Guide
      • Living in Waco
      • Housing, Transportation, & Nutrition
        Back
        • Graduate Student Housing Community
          Back
          • Pinetree
          • Speight-Jenkins
          • Browning Square
          • The Quadrangle
        • Parking
    • TWO Newsletter
    • Completing Your Degree
      Back
      • Graduate School Forms
      • Dissertation & Thesis Overview
        Back
        • Committee and Defense
        • Preliminary Technical Review
        • Formatting Resources
        • Dissertation and Thesis Forms
        • Co-Authored Work and Publications
        • Dissertation & Thesis Frequently Asked Questions
      • Requirements for Graduation
        Back
        • Regalia
        • Letter of Completion
      • Completing Your Degree FAQs
  • Apply Now
  • Canvas
  • General Information
  • Academics & Research
  • Administration
  • Admissions
  • Gateways for ...
  • About Baylor
  • Athletics
  • Ask Baylor
  • Bookstore
  • Calendar
  • Campus Map
  • Directory
  • Give to Baylor
  • News
  • Search
  • Social Media
  • Strategic Plan
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary
  • Graduate School
  • Hankamer School of Business
  • Honors College
  • Law School
  • Louise Herrington School of Nursing
  • Research at Baylor University
  • Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
  • School of Education
  • School of Engineering & Computer Science
  • School of Music
  • University Libraries, Museums, and the Press
  • More Academics
  • Athletics
  • Compliance, Risk and Safety
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Office of General Counsel
  • Office of the President
  • Office of the Provost
  • Operations, Finance & Administration
  • Senior Administration
  • Student Life
  • University Advancement
  • Undergraduate Admissions
  • goBAYLOR
  • Graduate Admissions
  • Baylor Law School Admissions
  • Social Work Graduate Programs
  • George W. Truett Theological Seminary Admissions
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Virtual Tour
  • Visit Campus
  • Alumni & Friends
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Online Graduate Professional Education
  • Parents
  • Prospective Faculty & Staff
  • Prospective Students
  • Students
  • Anonymous Reporting
  • Annual Fire Safety and Security Notice
  • Cost of Attendance
  • Digital Privacy
  • Legal Disclosures
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Notice of Non-Discrimination
  • Report It
  • Title IX
  • Web Accessibility
 
Baylor University
Copyright © Baylor® University. All rights reserved.
Baylor University • Waco, Texas 76798 • 1-800-229-5678