Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Waco, Texas
51% Acceptance Rate
Baylor University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
51%Acceptance Rate
3.74Avg GPA
1313Avg SAT
30Avg ACT
$70,130Annual Cost
$65,793Grad Salary
13%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
51%
Avg GPA
3.74
Avg SAT
1313
Avg ACT
30
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1210–1400
ACT Middle 50%
27–32
Need-Based Aid
13% receive Pell
Baylor University Baylor University, chartered in 1845, is the oldest continuously operating university in Texas and a leading private Christian research institution. The 1,000-acre campus along the Brazos River offers comprehensive programs through 12 schools and colleges, with particular strengths in law, business, and health sciences. Baylor is classified as an R1 research university and maintains a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The campus features iconic landmarks like Pat Neff Hall and modern facilities including the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation. Baylor's athletic teams, the Bears, compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Big 12 Conference.
Baylor takes pride in its distinctive mission as a Christian research university, integrating faith and academic excellence. The campus offers outstanding resources including the Armstrong Browning Library and the Mayborn Museum Complex. Recent additions include the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center and the new Baylor Sciences Building. Baylor's combination of academic rigor, Christian environment, and spirited campus life creates a transformative educational experience. The university's emphasis on undergraduate research and global engagement prepares students for leadership and service.
Baylor University Acceptance Rate
Baylor University is moderately selective. 51% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Baylor University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 51% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.74 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.54 – 3.73
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.29
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Baylor University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Baylor University is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 86 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Regular Decision
February 1
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Baylor University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Baylor University is 3.74. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.44 and 3.74? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.94–4.14.Baylor University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.74 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.54 – 3.73
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.34 – 3.53
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.33
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- One optional supplemental essay (450 words) combining "Why Baylor" and "community contribution" into a single dual-purpose prompt.
- Test-optional; if scores aren't submitted, the essay and transcript carry more weight.
- Honors College admits (BIC, Great Texts, Honors Program, University Scholars, B.Phil.) can switch into a dedicated Honors College Line Camp orientation track.
- CSS Profile (opens October 1) and FAFSA both needed for maximum aid; Early Decision/Early Action priority deadline is November 1.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Baylor University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Baylor University's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Baylor University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Baylor University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Baylor University Without SAT or ACT?
Baylor University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Baylor University Average SAT Score: 1313
The average SAT score of admitted students at Baylor University is 1313 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1313 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean, without being in elite-tier territory.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1400 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Baylor University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1210, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Baylor University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 650 | 600 | 700 |
| SAT Reading | 655 | 610 | 700 |
| SAT Composite | 1313 | 1210 | 1400 |
Below 1210, you're behind most admitted students; at 1400 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into Baylor University with a 1400 SAT?
A 1400 SAT puts you ahead of most of Baylor University's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Baylor University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Baylor University is 30.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 30 — Very Competitive
An average of 30 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 28 | 25 | 30 |
| ACT English | 30 | 26 | 34 |
| ACT Composite | 30 | 27 | 32 |
Can I get into Baylor University with a 32 ACT?
A 32 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Baylor University's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Baylor University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Baylor University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Baylor University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Submit the optional 450-word essay anyway
It combines a "Why Baylor" and community-fit question in one dual-purpose prompt. Since Baylor is test-optional, this essay carries outsized weight in differentiating similar-GPA applicants - don't skip it because it's "optional."
Name specific programs or organizations, not general mission language
Reference something concrete like the Baylor Lariat newspaper or a specific research center rather than "Christian mission" language - admissions wants evidence of real research into campus life.
Register for Honors College Line Camp if admitted to an Honors track
BIC, Great Texts, University Scholars, and B.Phil. admits should switch into this distinct summer orientation track rather than general Line Camp - it connects you with other academically-focused incoming students first.
Submit the CSS Profile by the priority deadline
Needed alongside FAFSA for maximum aid consideration. Early Decision/Early Action priority deadline is November 1 - missing it specifically limits scholarship funds even if you're still admitted.
Expert Insight:
Some applicants skip Baylor's "optional" essay assuming optional means low-value. Because Baylor doesn't require test scores, this essay is one of the few differentiators admissions has - skipping it removes a real opportunity to stand out, not just a formality.
Baylor University Profile
Full Name
Baylor University
City
Waco
State
Texas
ZIP Code
76798
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Baylor University Degree Worth It?
Baylor University offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $73,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.12%.
How much does a degree from Baylor University Cost?
The sticker price is $70,130/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
13% of students receive a Pell Grant and 33.8% take federal loans at Baylor University. File your FAFSA early and list Baylor University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Baylor University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $65,793. That's about 62% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Baylor University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Delaware | Newark, DE | 1297 | 29 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | 1263 | 28 |
| Agnes Scott College | Decatur, GA | 1296 | 29 |
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 1301 | 29 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Baylor University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| University of the Pacific | Stockton, CA | 1303 | 27 |
| University of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | 1313 | 29 |
| Fairfield University | Fairfield, CT | 1323 | 31 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Baylor University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
Degree Programs at Baylor University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Baylor University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Baylor University run about $65,793 a year.
At about $70,130 a year, Baylor University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Baylor University's Pell Grant rate of 13.0% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 51%, Baylor University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Baylor University average a 3.74 GPA.
Baylor University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.44 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.34, Baylor University becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Baylor University — aim above 1313, ideally within the 1210–1400 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Baylor University is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The application fee is 50. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.