Admit rate has ranged 59%–69% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Brigham Young University (BYU) is a private research university in Provo, Utah, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Known for its rigorous academics, strong honor code, and vibrant student life, BYU offers a unique blend of top-tier education and deeply rooted religious values. With an acceptance rate around 69%, it attracts high-achieving students who benefit from low tuition costs and a tight-knit community.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
2.2 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Engineering$87,604
Computer Science$83,848
Computer and Information Sciences, General$76,460
Chemical Engineering$76,460
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$71,351
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
4
Per 1,000 students
0.12
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
75
Summer high
86°F
Winter low
21°F
Annual rain
21.2"
Annual snow
88.7"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
562
Scholarly works
74,879
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.7%
Bottom → top quintile
30%
From bottom quintile
2%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Brigham Young University?
Brigham Young University's acceptance rate is approximately 68% (Provo, UT), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Brigham Young University?
Admitted students at Brigham Young University typically score 1270–1460 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Brigham Young University cost?
At Brigham Young University, the average net price (after aid) is about $15,564 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Brigham Young University?
Brigham Young University enrolls approximately 32,952 undergraduate students.
Where is Brigham Young University located?
Brigham Young University is located in Provo, UT.
Admissions
BYU is somewhat selective, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 69% ([8], [9], [10]). The middle 50% of admitted students boast impressive stats: a GPA range of 3.86–4.00, ACT scores of 28–32, and SAT scores of 1300–1430 ([7]). Notably, BYU was Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. for the 2026 admissions cycle ([7]). The university has a high YieldThe share of admitted students who actually choose to enroll. Colleges watch it closely, which is why some weigh how interested you seem. rate, with around 80% of accepted students enrolling—a figure rivaling elite institutions like Harvard and Princeton ([11]). Applicants must adhere to the school's honor code, which includes abstaining from alcohol, drugs, and premarital sex ([22]).
BYU is renowned for its rigorous academics and standout programs. Its accounting program is consistently ranked among the best in the nation, while engineering, elementary education, communications, and animation also receive high marks ([17]). The university offers over 200 programs, including unique options like Africana Studies and Actuarial Science ([13]). Students praise the affordability and academic rigor, with one Reddit user noting it's 'an elite academic institution' with 'great price, recognizable name, and low student debt' ([15]). The Princeton Review highlights BYU's balance of affordability and academic excellence, calling its rigor the school's 'greatest strength' ([16]).
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$71,015
Business/Managerial Economics$70,456
Mechanical Engineering$67,772
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
BYU's student life is deeply influenced by its LDS affiliation, with a zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol ([20]). Despite—or perhaps because of—these restrictions, the campus buzzes with activity. Students can join hundreds of clubs, participate in Y-Serve (a community service organization), or engage in intramural sports and swing dancing ([19], [23]). The university's ward system (LDS congregations) fosters tight-knit communities, and students often socialize through church-related activities ([24]). Campus Life oversees 13 departments dedicated to enhancing student experiences, from academic associations to cultural events ([21]).
BYU boasts an impressive 82% graduation rate, with 28% of students finishing within four years and 38% within five ([25], [28]). Alumni outcomes are strong, with the median family income of students at $125,400, and 60% hailing from the top 20% of earners ([29]). The Career Center provides robust support, including experiential learning and internship opportunities ([26]). BYU's focus on low student debt and high employability makes it a standout for upward mobility, though economic diversity is limited—less than 1% of students come from the bottom 20% of household incomes ([29]).
BYU is a bargain compared to peer institutions, with a total cost of $21,940 and an average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. of $14,643 after aid ([33], [36]). About 67% of students receive some form of financial aid, with 49% getting grant money averaging $4,350 ([35]). The university's Net Price Calculator helps prospective students estimate their costs, which are kept low thanks to heavy LDS Church subsidies ([31], [34]). This affordability, combined with strong academics, makes BYU a rare find: a top-tier education without the crushing debt.
BYU is an anomaly in higher education: a religiously affiliated school with the academic clout of a top-tier university and the price tag of a state school. Its honor code creates a unique culture—free of party-school excesses but rich in community and service. The accounting program is a national powerhouse, and the university's focus on undergraduate teaching rivals liberal arts colleges. For LDS students, it's a spiritual and academic home run; for others, it's a chance to access elite academics at a fraction of the usual cost. As one Reddit user put it, BYU offers 'great price, recognizable name, and low student debt'—a trifecta rarely found in higher ed ([15]).
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