Baylor University

Getting in is the hard part. Baylor University admitted 51.3% of applicants in its most recent reported class, one of the lowest rates in the country. Realistically it is a reach for every applicant, no matter how strong.

Admitted students cluster near the top of the testing range: the middle 50% score 1200–1400 on the SAT and 27–32 on the ACT. Scores at or above that band keep you in contention, but they do not decide it.

The real question is not your odds but your move. That is where Spike comes in: it reads your profile against what Baylor University actually rewards, and tells you what to do next.

Check your own numbers against this class →

Baylor takes pride in offering small class sizes and in-person classes, creating an interactive and engaging learning environment where professors know you by name.

Baylor offers more than 125 majors and programs, including secondary majors that bypass the Common Core, and accelerated combined degree programs allowing students to earn both a bachelor's and master's in five years.

• Twelve Nationally Recognized DivisionsArts & Sciences, Business, Engineering & Computer Science, Nursing, Social Work,
• More than 125 Majors and ProgramsUndergraduate, Graduate, Professional
• Accelerated DegreesBachelor's and master's in five years

Verified from baylor.edu and admissions.web.baylor.edu and about.web.baylor.edu and admissions.web.baylor.edu and admissions.web.baylor.edu and admissions.web.baylor.edu.

• Testingoptional (2027 cycle)

Verified from baylor.edu.

The current prompts, straight from the application. These change year to year, so most guides you will find are a cycle behind.

• a handwritten essay of no more than 500 words illustrating your concept of leadership and how your community service experiences have impacted your life

  Up to 500 words

Every prompt, with how to approach each →

Verified from baylor.edu.

The sticker price is about $74,226, but that is not what most families pay. After need-based aid, the average net price is $41,104.

More than 90% of Baylor undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid and do not pay the full sticker price.

Ten years after enrolling, graduates earn a median of $65,793.

Verified from baylor.edu and the U.S. Department of Education.

“Grab free athletic tickets, explore your housing community, and connect with a vibrant, active community that feels like family, a Tuesday at Baylor.”

Located in Waco, the campus offers a variety of housing community options, not cookie-cutter “dorms,” designed to enhance social and academic life.

Is Baylor University test-optional?

For the 2027 application cycle, standardized testing at Baylor University is optional.

How hard is it to get into Baylor University?

Very hard. Baylor University admits 51.3% of applicants, and the middle 50% of admitted students score 1200 to 1400 on the SAT. Treat it as a reach for every applicant.

How much does Baylor University cost?

The list price is about $74,226, but the average price families actually pay after aid is $41,104.

Is Baylor University worth it?

Graduates earn a median of $65,793 ten years after enrolling, and 80% graduate within six years. Value depends on your aid offer and your goals, which is exactly what Spike helps you weigh.