Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
Baylor admits about 5 in 10 applicants (52%). That puts it in the "Very selective" tier, more selective than 83% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Applicants from Texas and from other states were admitted at similar rates (52% and 55%).
No application fee
Grants credit for AP exams
Men and women
Women were admitted at 48%, men at 57%.
Yield
15% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
Wait list: 3,832 offered a place, 916 accepted, 19 admitted (2.1% of those who accepted)
Applying early
Early decision: 80% admitted
453 of 566 early applicants; 52% of all applicants
Apply by Nov 1; decisions by Dec 15
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
Early action (not binding): apply by Nov 1; decisions by Feb 1
Where you stand
How Baylor reads a record
, GPA, and tests are all very important; class rank is important. Scores are recommended. 47% of first-years sent an SAT and 22% an ACT. Of the 49% whose high school reported a rank, 42% were in the top tenth. Requires 4 years of English, 4 of math, 4 of science, and 2 of social studies. See the years by subject
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Important | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Very important | ||||
| Essay | Very important | ||||
| Recommendations | Important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Not considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Important | ||||
| First generation | Important | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Important | ||||
| Geographic residence | Important | ||||
| State residency | Important | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Important | ||||
| Volunteer work | Important | ||||
| Work experience | Important | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Important | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program considered; demonstration of competencies considered; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
90% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 52% of first-year applicants
1,678 applied · 1,514 admitted · 355 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall, spring, and summer.
At least 1 credit hour completed to apply as a transfer.
Minimum college GPA: 2.8
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: apply by June 15, decisions on a rolling basis
- Spring entry: apply by November 15, decisions on a rolling basis
- Summer entry: apply by May 15, decisions on a rolling basis
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required of some
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required of some
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Required of some
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required of some
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by February 1 for fall 2026.
- Decisions are sent on a rolling basis starting December 15.
- $500 housing deposit, non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 year.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Neither requires nor recommends a set college-preparatory program.
| Years of | Required |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 4 |
| Science (lab: 2) | 4 |
| Foreign language | 2 |
| Social studies | 2 |
| History | 1 |
| Total | 17* |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science. *Added up from the subjects listed; the college didn't give a total.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school class rank
42% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 76% in the top quarter, of the 49% whose high school reported a rank.
This college doesn't publish first-years' .
Source:Baylor University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1285 on the SAT, 115 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Recommended
Scores are recommended, not required. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
20% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1400 or higher.
45% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
25% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
22% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
47% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
27% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 47% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 22% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
1,679 studentssubmitted ACT
799 studentsRead with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:Baylor University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Baylor University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Baylor University Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Baylor University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)