Baylor University Acceptance Rate & Test Scores

Waco, TX · Private · 4-year

  • Acceptance rate: 51% for fall 2024
  • SAT, middle 50%: 610–700 reading and writing, 590–700 math
  • ACT, middle 50%: 27–32 composite
  • Average net price: $49,727 a year (2022–23)

Baylor University GPA calculator 

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Where you standEnter your GPA

Add a test score to compare it with what Baylor University reported: an acceptance rate of 51% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 27–32.

Plan the grades I need

A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. Baylor University reviews each application.

Baylor University GPA requirements

Baylor University requires a high school GPA from first-year applicants, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Federal data doesn't include GPA averages, and Baylor University hasn't published one we could verify, so this page doesn't list an average GPA.

Baylor University acceptance rate

Baylor University admitted 24,075 of 46,946 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 51%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Baylor University is a private nonprofit 4-year university in Waco, Texas, with 14,915 undergraduates.

SAT and ACT scores

Scores of the first-year students who entered Baylor University in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Test25th percentileMedian75th percentile
SAT Reading and Writing610650700
SAT Math590650700
ACT Composite273032
ACT English263034
ACT Math252730
32% submitted SAT scores and 18% submitted ACT scores, as Baylor University reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1329 for admitted students.

Admission requirements

What Baylor University looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:

Admission factorStatus
High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average.Required
High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned.Required
Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application.Required
High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class.Considered if submitted
College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school.Considered if submitted
RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors.Considered if submitted
Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores.Considered if submitted
Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations.Considered if submitted
Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work.Considered if submitted
Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college.Considered if submitted
Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III.Not considered
Requirements can differ by program and applicant type, so check with Baylor University's admissions office before you apply.

AP credit

Baylor University awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

It also awards credit for life experience, such as work or military service.

Average net price

First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $49,727 a year at Baylor University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into Baylor University?

Moderately selective: more than half of applicants got in. Baylor University admitted 51% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.

What SAT and ACT scores do Baylor University students have?

The middle 50% of Baylor University's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 610–700 in reading and writing and 590–700 in math; ACT composite 27–32, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.

Is Baylor University test optional?

Yes. Baylor University considers SAT or ACT scores if you send them, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 32% sent SAT scores and 18% sent ACT scores.

What percent of applicants does Baylor University accept?

Baylor University's acceptance rate was 51% for fall 2024: it admitted 24,075 of 46,946 first-year applicants, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education.

How important is GPA for getting into Baylor University?

A lot: Baylor University requires high school GPA, high school record and essay or personal statement. It considers high school class rank, college preparatory program, recommendations, test scores, demonstration of competencies, work experience and legacy status if you send them. It doesn't consider other tests. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

What GPA does Baylor University look for?

Baylor University requires a high school GPA from first-year applicants, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024. It hasn't published an average GPA we could verify, so we don't list one.

Do I have a chance at Baylor University with a 3.0 GPA?

GPA alone can't tell you here. Baylor University admitted 51% of first-year applicants for fall 2024. It requires a high school GPA but hasn't published an average we could verify, so there's no admitted-student GPA to compare a 3.0 against. Your transcript and test scores are the clearer guide.

Does Baylor University look at legacy status?

Yes. Baylor University considers whether a parent or other relative attended, though it isn't required, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Can you get college credit for AP scores at Baylor University?

Yes. Baylor University awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

What is the average net price at Baylor University?

First-time, full-time undergraduates who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $49,727 a year at Baylor University in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Before you apply, check Baylor University's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.

Sources

  1. College Navigator: Baylor UniversityU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
  2. College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).

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