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#5 Best Private Colleges in Texas

Baylor Admission Requirements

Waco, Texas

 14 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Baylor University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

45.9%
Admission Difficulty for Baylor University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Very High 
Applicant Competition Average 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Baylor is 45.9%.  Its admission rate is the 5th lowest in Texas.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Baylor and can you get accepted?

Baylor is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 18,699 out of the 40,753 who applied were admitted.

Baylor University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.74. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Baylor?

46% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

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Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Baylor University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.74 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1320 on the SAT
  • Score 30 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Baylor GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.74*

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Baylor University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Baylor are to have around a 3.74 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to Baylor will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Baylor is 3.74 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #7 in Texas for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Baylor is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.74 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

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Baylor SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Baylor University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 28% of students submitted SAT scores and 23% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1230-1410

Applicants Submitting SAT 

28%
SAT Scores for Baylor University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 620
Math 25th Percentile 610
Composite 25th Percentile 1230
SAT Scores for Baylor University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 700
Math 75th Percentile 710
Composite 75th Percentile 1410
Average SAT Score 1320

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Baylor University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Baylor is 1320 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1230-1410. Students who get into Baylor University score in the top 20 percent of all SAT test takers..  Baylor ranks #5 in the state of Texas and #164 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1320 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Baylor regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1230 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1230, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1140, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Baylor University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1320 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1320, you have around a 46% chance of being admitted. A 1410 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 62% chance of getting in.

Baylor University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1410 and Above Good >62%
1320 to 1410 Avg + 46%-62%
1230 to 1320 Avg - 31%-46%
1140 to 1230 Reach 19%-31%
Less than 1140 Low <19%
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Baylor ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

28-33 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

23%
ACT Scores for Baylor University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 27
Math 25th Percentile 26
Composite 25th Percentile 28
ACT Scores for Baylor University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 31
Composite 75th Percentile 33
Average ACT Score 30

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Baylor?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Baylor is 30, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 28 and 33.  The school ranks #4 in Texas and #148 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 30. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 28 and score in the score in the top 12 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 26.

23 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Baylor University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Baylor University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Baylor for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 30 score has around 46% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 65% with a 33 ACT score.

Baylor University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
33 and Above Good >65%
30 to 33 Avg + 46%-65%
28 to 30 Avg - 34%-46%
26 to 28 Reach 23%-34%
Less than 26 Low <23%
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High School Class Rank

72% of Baylor University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 39% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Baylor University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 39%
Top 25% of class 72%
Top 50% of class 94%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Baylor University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 25,320 15,404 40,753
Accepted 10,691 8,006 18,699
Acceptance Rate 42% 52% 46%
Enrolled 1,926 1,370 3,296
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 18% 17% 18%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

60

Applicants have 60 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Baylor University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Baylor University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Baylor University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Baylor University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Baylor is fairly competitive, you have a decent chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.74 GPA, you have a good shot at getting in. An SAT score of 1320 will further improve your application. If you can get a 1410 on the SAT you will have a very good chance on getting in. Additionally a 30 on the ACT places you in a strong position.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Baylor University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=223232 IPEDS survey data for Baylor University.

Last updated February 24, 2024