Baylor Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Waco, TX
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Baylor Admission Overview
Baylor admission requirements are competitive. Last year Baylor admitted 51.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1200-1400 / ACT 27-32. Baylor is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Baylor is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Baylor Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Average
Admission difficulty for Baylor University
Acceptance Rate
The Baylor acceptance rate is 51.3%. Last year, 24,075 of 46,946 applicants were admitted. That is the 13th lowest acceptance rate in Texas.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Baylor and can you get accepted?
Baylor is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 14% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Baylor GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Estimated High School GPA CollegeSimply estimate of incoming freshman GPA on a 4.0 scale.
3.74*Typical High School Grades Letter grade for the estimated average, not a cutoff.
A-Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.74*
Average GPA
Baylor has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.74 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. Baylor is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.
*3.74 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.
Baylor Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Baylor University is test-optional for incoming first-year applicants for the 2027-28 academic year. SAT or ACT scores are not required for admission, and all applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships regardless of testing plan. Applicants choose on the application whether scores will be reviewed and may self-report their best scores; admitted students who used scores must send official reports by May 1. Baylor superscores the SAT and ACT. Homeschooled applicants, students from schools that issue only narrative evaluations, and students graduating high school early must submit SAT, ACT, or (for homeschool) CLT scores.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.web.baylor.edu/admission/incoming-freshman/test-optional-process
Baylor SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1200-1400Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
32%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 610
- Math 590
- Composite 1200
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 700
- Math 700
- Composite 1400
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Baylor typically score around a 1300 SAT (middle 50% 1200–1400) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 88th percentile nationally. Baylor ranks #5 in the state of Texas and #203 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1200 to 1400
SAT policy
Baylor is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1300 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Baylor ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
27-32Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
18%25th Percentile Scores
- English 26
- Math 25
- Composite 27
75th Percentile Scores
- English 34
- Math 30
- Composite 32
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Baylor typically have around a 29 ACT (mid-50 27–32) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 91st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Baylor places #5 among colleges in Texas and #193 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 27 to 32
ACT policy
You may apply to Baylor without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 29.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
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.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Baylor chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Baylor University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Feb 1, 2027Days left to Apply
154Applicants have 154 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Baylor University is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Baylor is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 51.3% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1200-1400); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Baylor University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=223232.
GPA calculator: Baylor University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026