Baylor University

Baylor is moderately selective, admitting about 52.2% of its roughly 45,000 applicants in the most recent cycle. Enrolled first-years posted middle-50% SAT scores of 1190–1370 and 26–32 on the ACT, and among the 49% who reported a class rank, 76% sat in the top quarter of their graduating class. Strong grades in a solid course load matter most, since Baylor weighs academic GPA and test scores as very important.

Aim for the middle-50% range: enrolled first-years scored 1190–1370 on the SAT and 26–32 on the ACT. A score above 1370 or 32 puts you in the top quarter of admitted students. Baylor is test-optional, so you can apply without scores, but when submitted they count as a very important factor.

A 1300 is competitive at Baylor. It lands in the upper-middle of the admitted range, above the median of 1280 and on track toward the 75th-percentile mark of 1370. Pairing it with a strong GPA and a specific essay makes for a solid application, since Baylor reviews holistically rather than against a hard score cutoff.

No. Baylor is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT scores. About 47% of enrolled first-years submitted the SAT and 22% the ACT. Home-schooled students, applicants from high schools that issue only narrative transcripts, and a few specific majors still need to submit scores, so check your program's requirements.

Baylor's binding Early Decision round admits at a higher rate than the overall 52.2%: about 453 admits from 566 Early Decision applications, or roughly 80%. ED is a binding commitment, so apply that way only if Baylor is your clear first choice. Baylor also offers non-binding Early Action with a November 1 deadline for students who want an early answer without the commitment.

Tuition and fees run about $67,756 a year, with food and housing adding roughly $17,222. Aid is substantial: about 56% of first-year students receive need-based scholarship or grant aid, the average need-based package is near $44,891, and Baylor meets about 71% of demonstrated financial need on average.

Business and marketing is the largest field at about 24% of bachelor's degrees, followed by the health professions at roughly 20% and the biological and life sciences at about 11%. Communication and journalism, the social sciences, and psychology round out the most-conferred areas, reflecting Baylor's deep pre-business and pre-health pipelines.

Yes. Baylor rates the application essay as an important factor in its holistic review, alongside the rigor of your high school record. Academic GPA and test scores carry the most weight, so a specific, well-revised essay is where you add the personal context and voice that grades and scores can't show.

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