Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private research university in Provo, Utah, owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of the largest religiously affiliated universities in the country, BYU enrolls about 34,354 undergraduates, runs on a distinctive Honor Code, and asks every applicant to secure an ecclesiastical endorsement before enrolling. Admission is moderately selective by rate, with about 69% of applicants admitted, but the academic bar runs high: enrolled first-years average a 3.89 high school GPA and posted a middle-50% of 28–32 on the ACT (1290–1430 SAT) under a test-optional policy. Tuition is among the lowest of any major private university at about $7,096 a year for members of the sponsoring church (non-members pay roughly double), and business, the life sciences, and engineering lead the most-conferred degrees.
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BYU admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Admissions
BYU does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
BYU is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Admissions Factors
How BYU weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from BYU's Common Data Set.
Private universities charge the same tuition regardless of state residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about BYU admissions
Is it hard to get into BYU?＋
BYU is moderately selective by acceptance rate, admitting about 68.6% of applicants, but the academic bar is high. Enrolled first-years average a 3.89 GPA, and the middle 50% scored 28–32 on the ACT (1290–1430 SAT). Every applicant also clears a non-academic gate: an ecclesiastical endorsement and a commitment to the Honor Code, both weighed heavily in BYU's review.
What GPA do you need to get into BYU?＋
Enrolled first-years at BYU average a 3.89 high school GPA, putting the typical admit near straight A's. There is no hard cutoff, but academic GPA and the rigor of your course load are both rated very important, so a strong transcript is the clearest way to be competitive.
Do you have to be a member of the Church (LDS) to go to BYU?＋
No, you do not have to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but every applicant, regardless of faith, must obtain an ecclesiastical endorsement and commit to the Honor Code to enroll. BYU rates religious affiliation and commitment as a very important admission factor, something almost every other university marks not considered.
Does BYU require the SAT or ACT?＋
No. BYU is test-optional, so you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Among enrolled students who did submit, the middle 50% scored 28–32 on the ACT and 1290–1430 on the SAT, and the ACT is the more commonly submitted test at BYU.
Is a 30 ACT good enough for BYU?＋
A 30 sits right in the heart of BYU's admitted range. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 28–32 on the ACT (median 30) and 1290–1430 on the SAT. Because BYU is test-optional, a score in that band helps but works best alongside a near-4.0 GPA, which carries more weight in the review.
How much does BYU cost, and is tuition higher for non-members?＋
Yes. Annual tuition runs about $7,096 for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and roughly $14,192 for non-members, with $0 in required fees either way. Food and housing on campus add about $11,200, which still leaves BYU among the lowest-priced private universities in the country.
What are the most popular majors at BYU?＋
Business and marketing is the single most popular field at about 16% of bachelor's degrees, followed by the biological and life sciences at roughly 12%. Engineering, computer and information sciences, the health professions, and the social sciences round out the most-conferred areas.
Does the application essay matter at BYU?＋
Yes. BYU rates the application essay as a very important factor, the same tier it gives GPA, rigor, and test scores. With a holistic, test-optional review and a near-4.0 average GPA across the pool, a specific, well-revised essay is one of the clearest ways to separate yourself.
Source: Brigham Young University Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-10. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with BYU. Banner photo by Tony Webster, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).