Baylor University Acceptance Rate
Waco, Texas · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 39,735
- Admitted
- 20,262
- Yield
- 16.4%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Baylor University's acceptance rate has fallen from 55.4% in 2014–15 to 51% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 33,898 to 39,735 (+17%) over that period.
Its 51% rate makes Baylor University more selective than about 83% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 65 tracked Texas schools, it is more selective than about 85%.
In 2023–24, men were admitted at a higher rate (48.4% for women vs 55.1% for men, a 6.7-point gap). Baylor University has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 16.4% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 33,898 | 18,766 | 55.4% | 3,625 |
| 2015–16 | 32,136 | 14,033 | 43.7% | 3,394 |
| 2016–17 | 34,636 | 13,758 | 39.7% | 3,503 |
| 2017–18 | 37,083 | 14,442 | 38.9% | 3,320 |
| 2018–19 | 37,083 | 14,442 | 38.9% | 3,366 |
| 2019–20 | 34,582 | 15,676 | 45.3% | 3,307 |
| 2020–21 | 33,680 | 23,061 | 68.5% | 3,731 |
| 2021–22 | 36,588 | 20,741 | 56.7% | 4,271 |
| 2022–23 | 40,753 | 18,699 | 45.9% | 3,296 |
| 2023–24 | 39,735 | 20,262 | 51% | 3,317 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 24,331 | 11,771 | 48.4% |
| Men | 15,404 | 8,491 | 55.1% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 610–700 | 31% |
| SAT Math | 600–700 | |
| ACT Composite | 27–32 | 19% |
How Baylor University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Baylor University's acceptance rate?
Baylor University's acceptance rate is 51% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (20,262 admitted of 39,735 applicants).
Is Baylor University test optional?
Baylor University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Baylor University?
Baylor University received 39,735 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 20,262.
What SAT score do you need for Baylor University?
Admitted students at Baylor University typically scored 610–700 on SAT Reading/Writing and 600–700 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Baylor University getting harder to get into?
Baylor University has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 55.4% in 2014–15 to 51% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.baylor.edu/.