Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Provo, Utah
69.2% Acceptance Rate
Brigham Young University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
69.2%Acceptance Rate
3.89Avg GPA
1376Avg SAT
30Avg ACT
$20,879Annual Cost
$75,790Grad Salary
32.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
69.2%
Avg GPA
3.89
Avg SAT
1376
Avg ACT
30
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
1290–1450
ACT Middle 50%
28–32
Need-Based Aid
32.3% receive Pell
Brigham Young University (BYU), founded in 1875 in Provo, Utah, is a private Mormon university ranked #89 in National Universities by U.S. News. Known for its business, engineering, and language programs, BYU offers a values-based education with a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The 560-acre campus includes the Harold B. Lee Library and the Eyring Science Center.
BYU's Honor Code and LDS affiliation shape campus life, with 98% of students adhering to the faith. The university excels in undergraduate research and offers unique programs in family studies and Middle Eastern texts. Its global campuses and study-abroad options reflect its missionary focus.
Brigham Young University Acceptance Rate
At 69.2%, admission to Brigham Young University is achievable for most students who meet the basic academic profile.
What BYU 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 — 69.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.89 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.69 – 3.88
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.44
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Brigham Young University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark February 23 for Brigham Young University, with decisions typically out by May 1.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 194 days left — Regular Decision
Regular Decision
February 23
Decision by: May 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 23, 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.
BYU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at BYU is 3.89. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.59 and 3.89, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.09–4.29.BYU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective. This GPA sits within the typical admitted band.
Recommended Strategy: A top-5th-percentile SAT/ACT score makes the strongest case here.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.89 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.69 – 3.88
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.49 – 3.68
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.48
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Six required supplemental essays for all applicants, submitted through BYU's own application platform, not the Common App
- Every applicant, regardless of religious affiliation, must complete an Ecclesiastical Endorsement through an interview process to be admitted
- Standardized testing (SAT/ACT) was reinstated for the 2024-25 admissions cycle after a prior test-optional period
- All students must commit to the Honor Code (covering dress, conduct, and substance standards) regardless of Church membership
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
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 BYU
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Brigham Young University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
Brigham Young University (BYU) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at BYU. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into BYU Without SAT or ACT?
BYU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Brigham Young University Average SAT Score: 1376
Admitted students at Brigham Young University average a 1376 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1376 — Competitive
A 1376 average is a respectable, above-average benchmark nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1450 SAT or 32 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Brigham Young University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1290? A retake is worth it at BYU. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 685 | 640 | 730 |
| SAT Reading | 685 | 650 | 720 |
| SAT Composite | 1376 | 1290 | 1450 |
A score under 1290 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1450+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1400
Can I get into Brigham Young University (BYU) with a 1450 SAT?
At 1450, your SAT is squarely in BYU's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Brigham Young University (BYU) ACT Requirements
BYU's admitted students average an ACT of 30.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 30 — Very Competitive
BYU's ACT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 29 | 26 | 31 |
| ACT English | 31 | 27 | 34 |
| ACT Composite | 30 | 28 | 32 |
Can I get into Brigham Young University with a 32 ACT?
At 32, you're in the top quarter of BYU's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, BYU weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for BYU
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Getting into BYU isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.
Start your Ecclesiastical Endorsement immediately, regardless of faith
Every applicant - LDS or not - must complete this interview-based endorsement. It can be started before your application is even finished, so don't let it become a late bottleneck.
Treat all six required essays as a major, weighted part of your file
BYU's process reportedly treats essays as one of the most important admission factors, capable of offsetting a lower GPA or test score - budget real time for them.
Answer the "spiritually strengthening" prompt directly, not with generic religious language
This prompt specifically asks why you want to learn in an environment combining study and faith - address that combination directly rather than writing a standard "why this school" essay.
Confirm the current testing policy before assuming it's optional
Standardized testing was reinstated for the 2024-25 cycle after a prior test-optional period - BYU has changed this policy more than once recently, so verify directly.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes treat the Ecclesiastical Endorsement as a minor formality to handle after submitting the rest of their application. It isn't - it requires scheduling interviews with actual religious leaders, which takes real calendar time, and an incomplete or lapsed endorsement affects both admission and continued enrollment. Start it early.
BYU Profile
Full Name
Brigham Young University (BYU)
City
Provo
State
Utah
ZIP Code
84602
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a BYU Degree Worth It?
At $20,879/year against a $75,790 median graduate salary, BYU is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $64,900, and graduates see a 3.35% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from BYU Cost?
Listed tuition runs $20,879/year at BYU. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At BYU, 32.3% receive a Pell Grant and 11.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming BYU on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a BYU Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, BYU graduates report a median income of $75,790, about 87% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Brigham Young University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1344 | 31 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
| University of Connecticut | Storrs, CT | 1338 | 31 |
| Wheaton College | Wheaton, IL | 1363 | 30 |
| Centre College | Danville, KY | 1345 | 29 |
| Bentley University | Waltham, MA | 1340 | 31 |
| Clark University | Worcester, MA | 1339 | 32 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Brigham Young University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| St. John's College | Annapolis, MD | 1381 | 31 |
| St Olaf College | Northfield, MN | 1373 | 30 |
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | New Brunswick, NJ | 1383 | 31 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Brigham Young University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | 1416 | 32 |
Degree Programs at BYU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About BYU Admissions
Brigham Young University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $75,790/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Brigham Young University is relatively affordable, around $20,879/year.
32.3% of Brigham Young University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Brigham Young University's acceptance rate is 69.2%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Brigham Young University students is 3.89, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.59 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Brigham Young University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.49 or below makes admission tougher at Brigham Young University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Brigham Young University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1376, and within the 1290–1450 range, keeps you competitive.
Brigham Young University's deadline is February 23, with decisions out by May 1.
Brigham Young University charges an application fee of 35; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before February 23, 2026. That's Brigham Young University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.