Baylor vs. BYU

Baylor University and Brigham Young University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Baylor University
Brigham Young University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Baylor (51.3% admitted vs 67.8%). Typical SAT 1300 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: BYU. Average net price is $16,694 vs $47,001 at Baylor.
  • Graduation: Baylor 72% vs BYU 78%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Baylor $56,200 vs BYU $69,100 (median).
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Key differences

Baylor University Brigham Young University
Acceptance rate
Baylor more selective
Baylor51.3%
BYU67.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
BYU higher
Baylor1200-1400
BYU1270-1460
Average net price
BYU $30,307 less
Baylor$47,001
BYU$16,694
In-state tuition
BYU $51,412 less
Baylor$58,100
BYU$6,688
Out-of-state tuition
BYU $51,412 less
Baylor$58,100
BYU$6,688
Graduation rate
BYU +6 pts
Baylor72%
BYU78%
Median earnings (10 years)
BYU +$12,900
Baylor$56,200
BYU$69,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Baylor 46,946
  • BYU 11,698
  • Admitted
  • Baylor 24,075
  • BYU 7,929
  • Acceptance rate
  • Baylor 51.3%
  • BYU 67.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Baylor 14.2%
  • BYU 77.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Baylor 1300
  • BYU 1370
  • Typical ACT score
  • Baylor 29
  • BYU 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Baylor 3.74
  • BYU 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • Baylor A-
  • BYU A
  • Admissions standards
  • Baylor Very High
  • BYU Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Baylor Low
  • BYU Low
  • SAT range
  • Baylor 1200-1400
  • BYU 1270-1460
  • ACT range
  • Baylor 27-32
  • BYU 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Baylor Test optional
  • BYU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Baylor Feb 1, 2027
  • BYU Dec 16, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Baylor $58,100
  • BYU $6,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Baylor $58,100
  • BYU $6,688
  • Room & board
  • Baylor $15,314
  • BYU $10,396
  • Average net price
  • Baylor $47,001
  • BYU $16,694
  • Average grant aid
  • Baylor $27,232
  • BYU $6,088
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Baylor 98%
  • BYU 51%
  • Graduation rate
  • Baylor 72%
  • BYU 78%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Baylor $56,200
  • BYU $69,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Baylor 73%
  • BYU 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Baylor $25,000
  • BYU $11,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Baylor $258
  • BYU $113
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Baylor 15:1
  • BYU 21:1
  • Popular majors
  • Baylor
    • Business (28%)
    • Health Professions (10%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • BYU
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • Baylor Waco, TX
  • BYU Provo, UT
  • Setting
  • Baylor Midsize City
  • BYU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • Baylor 20,626
  • BYU 35,873
  • Type
  • Baylor Private 4 Year
  • BYU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Baylor #167
  • BYU #131

Comparable Facts

Compare Baylor University in Waco, TX with Brigham Young University in Provo, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Brigham Young University is larger than Baylor based on total student enrollment (35,873 students vs. 20,626 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Baylor University is located in Waco, TX (Midsize City setting); Brigham Young University is in Provo, UT (Midsize City setting).
  • Baylor University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brigham Young University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Baylor University 15:1; Brigham Young University 21:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brigham Young University are 32.1% lower than at Baylor University ($10,396 vs. $15,314).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 768.7% higher at Baylor than at Brigham Young University (about $51,412 more per year; $58,100 vs. $6,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Baylor University than at Brigham Young University (98% vs. 51%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Baylor University students is 347.3% larger than aid received by Brigham Young University students ($27,232 vs. $6,088).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at BYU than at Baylor (30 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Baylor and BYU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Baylor Feb 1, 2027; BYU Dec 16, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BYU average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at Baylor (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.2% at Baylor vs. 77.5% at BYU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Brigham Young University graduates have a $14,000 lower median loan debt than Baylor graduates ($11,000 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, BYU graduates have an estimated $145 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Baylor graduates ($113 vs. $258).
  • More BYU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Baylor students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 73%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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