More selective than 84% of Texas colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
31% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 19% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Baylor University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
What Baylor University weighs when deciding
How much each part of an application counts for first-year applicants, as Baylor University reports it. Programs with their own criteria (nursing, music, honors) can weigh things differently.
- High school GPA
- SAT/ACT scores
- Rigor of high school courses
- Essay
- Class rank
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- First-generation college student
- Alumni relation (legacy)
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religious affiliation
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Your demonstrated interest
- Interview
Item C7. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Early decision, early action and the waitlist
You hear early and can still apply elsewhere.
3,832 offered a spot, 916 took it, 19 admitted.
Items C2, C21-C22. Common Data Set 2025-26 (fall 2025 first-year students), published by the college.
Baylor University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Baylor University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 610 | 700 |
| SAT math | 590 | 700 |
| ACT composite | 27 | 32 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1200 | 1400 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Baylor University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 51% | 610–700 | 590–700 | 27–32 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 51% | 610–700 | 600–700 | 27–32 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Baylor University compared with other Texas colleges?
Baylor University has the 12th-lowest acceptance rate of 70 Texas colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Southwestern University | 43% | 73% | $29,224 |
| 9 | Texas A & M International University | 44% | 46% | $3,637 |
| 10 | Texas Christian University | 44% | 86% | $36,660 |
| 11 | Austin College | 48% | 67% | $21,107 |
| 12 | Baylor University | 51% | 80% | $41,104 |
| 13 | Hallmark University | 51% | 66% | $12,513 |
| 14 | University of Dallas | 53% | 73% | $22,610 |
| 15 | Wayland Baptist University | 56% | 19% | $20,590 |
| 16 | McMurry University | 57% | 44% | $19,581 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Texas colleges →
Who enrolls at Baylor University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Baylor University admissions questions
What is the Baylor University acceptance rate?
Baylor University accepts 51% of applicants, about 1 in 2. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 20,262 of 39,735 applicants were admitted.
Does Baylor University require the SAT or ACT?
Baylor University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 31% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 19% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Baylor University?
The middle 50% of Baylor University enrolled first-year students scored 1200–1400 on the SAT and 27–32 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Baylor University?
16% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (3,317 of 20,262).
What does Baylor University look for in applicants?
Baylor University reports these as very important for first-year applicants: high school GPA, sAT/ACT scores. Important: rigor of high school courses, essay. Considered: class rank, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent or ability, character and personal qualities, first-generation college student, alumni relation (legacy), where you live, state residency, religious affiliation, volunteer work, work experience, your demonstrated interest. (Common Data Set 2025-26).
Does Baylor University have early decision?
Yes. Baylor University offers binding early decision. It also offers non-binding early action.
How many students get off the Baylor University waitlist?
For fall 2025, 3,832 applicants were offered a waitlist spot, 916 accepted one and 19 were admitted (2% of those who stayed on the list).
Is Baylor University getting harder to get into?
Baylor University accepted 51% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 51% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; Baylor University's Common Data Set 2025-26; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Baylor University overview