Brigham Young University Stats Reveal A Surprise
- 01. Brigham Young University stats: what stands out
- 02. Overall acceptance and selectivity
- 03. Undergraduate enrollment and student body
- 04. Transfer admissions and pathways
- 05. Historical trends in acceptance rates
- 06. Key metrics in a single table
- 07. Academic profile of admitted students
- 08. Notable admissions statistics at a glance
- 09. Why these stats matter to prospective students
- 10. Actionable steps for applying to BYU
Brigham Young University stats: what stands out
Brigham Young University (BYU) currently operates with an overall acceptance rate of roughly 67-69%, making it a moderately selective institution where just under seven of every ten applicants receive an offer of admission. For the 2024 admissions cycle, BYU received about 11,700 freshman applications and admitted nearly 7,900, yielding an acceptance rate of 67.8%, with around 90% of the incoming class entering with a high school GPA of 3.75 or higher. Total enrollment at BYU hovers near 35,000-41,000 students, depending on dataset vintage, with the undergraduate population constituting roughly 85-90% of the body.
Overall acceptance and selectivity
BYU's overall acceptance rate has trended upward over the past decade, reflecting both a growing applicant pool and a deliberate broadening of access. In 2015 the university reported an acceptance rate near 48%, indicating significantly tighter admissions; by 2023 that figure had risen to 69.2%, and the 2024 cycle settled at 67.8%, suggesting a modest contraction in recent years amid rising application volume. That recent 67.8% rate corresponds to roughly 7,929 admits out of 11,698 freshman applications, with yield-the share of admitted students who ultimately enroll-historically ranking among the highest in the nation despite increasingly competitive peer institutions.
International applicants face a slightly tougher path than domestic ones, with data indicating a domestic acceptance rate of about 67.9% versus 58.9% for international applicants. This gap reflects both the smaller size of the international applicant cohort and the heightened scrutiny around visas, academic translation, and capacity. Regular Decision mirrors the overall rate closely at 67.8%, while Early Action statistics are not separately published, suggesting BYU does not materially differentiate its admissions decision timing by round.
Undergraduate enrollment and student body
For the 2023-2024 academic year, BYU reported a total enrollment of approximately 35,074 students, with 32,221 in undergraduate programs and 2,853 in graduate programs. Full-time students numbered about 31,055, while 4,019 took a part-time or flexible load, reflecting the university's emphasis on traditional, immersive degree pathways. More recent aggregations place total enrollment closer to 41,238, with 37,940 undergraduates and 3,298 in graduate programs, suggesting a rapid period of expansion between 2021 and 2025.
The gender distribution is also instructive: roughly 48.4% of BYU's students are male and 51.6% female, a relatively balanced split across a large and growing cohort. Within the undergraduate segment, men slightly outnumber women in some earlier datasets, while graduate programs show a narrower gap, indicating that graduate enrollment patterns differ from the broader undergraduate profile. These figures sit within the context of a university closely tied to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where many students integrate religious practice and service into their academic timelines.
Transfer admissions and pathways
Transfer admissions at BYU are slightly more competitive than first-time freshman admissions, with a transfer acceptance rate of 60.6% for the 2024 cycle. That year, 2,049 transfer applicants produced 1,274 accepted offers, up from earlier years when the rate fluctuated between 49.1% and 68.0%, signaling both volatility and a tightening of standards. The rising number of transfer applicants has coincided with greater selectivity, as BYU seeks to balance the desires of students seeking to move into its robust academic ecosystem with the constraints of physical capacity and academic fit.
Notable parts of the transfer application process include a focus on GPA, prior course rigor, and evidence of academic upward trajectory; institutions report that transfer admits often carry a cumulative GPA above 3.5. BYU's transfer pathways are further shaped by the university's religious affiliation, which can influence decisions on coursework completed at non-LDS or secular institutions, particularly when there are questions about doctrinal alignment or campus culture fit. As a result, prospective transfers are strongly encouraged to review articulation agreements and consult with admissions counselors early.
Historical trends in acceptance rates
Examining historical acceptance rates reveals a clear long-term trajectory: BYU has become more accessible over the past decade even as its overall reputation and selectivity have grown. In 2015 the rate sat around 48.05%, but by 2020 it climbed to roughly 69.22%, then slipped back to 59.0% in 2021 during the pandemic-driven uncertainty, before stabilizing in the high-60s from 2022 onward. This volatility aligns with broader national patterns in higher education, where remote learning, test-optional policies, and shifting applicant behavior created temporary imbalances between application volume and institutional capacity.
The most recent stable band-between 66.7% and 69.2%-suggests that BYU now functions as a moderately selective public-like private university, with a predictable admissions yield and a relatively transparent admissions profile. Analysts note that this "soft selectivity" is reinforced by the fact that roughly 90% of incoming freshmen report a high school GPA of 3.75 or higher, indicating that the admitted pool is academically strong even if the acceptance rate is not extremely low.
Key metrics in a single table
| Year | Total Applicants | Admitted Students | Acceptance Rate | Yield-related Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ≈13,000 | ≈6,247 | 48.05% | Highly selective phase |
| 2020 | ≈13,000 | ≈9,000 | 69.22% | Peak accessibility |
| 2022 | ≈16,500 | ≈11,000 | 66.67% | Transition period |
| 2023 | ≈13,000 | ≈9,000 | 69.2% | Pre-2024 recalibration |
| 2024 | 11,698 | 7,929 | 67.8% | Current benchmark |
This table synthesizes publicly reported admissions data into a single, machine-readable snapshot, emphasizing the oscillation between tighter and looser admissions during the 2015-2024 window. The drop in absolute applicant numbers from 2023 to 2024-despite a static acceptance rate-suggests either a refinement in applicant targeting or a recalibration of the university's marketing strategy aimed at reducing "marginal" applications unlikely to convert.
Academic profile of admitted students
The academic profile of BYU's admitted students is strong, with the majority entering with a high school GPA of 3.75 or higher. This cluster reflects a highly selective subset of applicants, even though the overall acceptance rate is in the high-60s, because BYU's applicant pool is heavily self-selected and tends to be dominated by high-achieving, church-affiliated students. Standardized test data vary by year, but recent commentary places median SAT scores in the mid-1200s and ACT scores in the low-28s, positioning BYU competitively with regional public flagships and many mid-tier private research universities.
Class size and classroom composition further reinforce this academic profile: BYU maintains a relatively low student-to-faculty ratio, often cited near 17:1 or lower, which supports small-group learning and personalized attention. This ratio is particularly important given the university's emphasis on undergraduate instruction and its mission to integrate faith and scholarship, factors that shape both course design and faculty availability. As a result, admitted students often report a high degree of faculty engagement compared with peer institutions of similar size.
Notable admissions statistics at a glance
- BYU's overall acceptance rate is approximately 67-69% for recent cycles, with 2024 at 67.8%.
- Nearly 90% of entering freshmen report a high school GPA of 3.75 or higher, indicating a strong academic profile.
- Domestic applicants are accepted at roughly 67.9%, while international applicants face a lower rate of 58.9%.
- Transfer acceptance has recently stabilized around 60.6%, following historical fluctuations between 49% and 68%.
- Historical data show BYU's acceptance rate rising from 48% in 2015 to the high-60s by 2023-2024, reflecting a trend toward greater accessibility.
- Total enrollment ranges from about 35,000 to 41,000 students, depending on dataset vintage and whether online or affiliated campuses are included.
Why these stats matter to prospective students
For prospective applicants, these admissions statistics imply that BYU is accessible to a broad band of high-achieving students but still requires careful preparation. A 67-69% acceptance rate is higher than that of elite private universities, yet the high GPA concentration among admitted students suggests that only a portion of the applicant pool is truly competitive. International students should factor in the lower acceptance rate while also emphasizing strong academic records, standardized test scores, and clear articulation of how they will contribute to BYU's religious and cultural environment.
The transfer acceptance rate of 60.6% signals that moving into BYU from another institution is feasible but not guaranteed, especially as the university manages capacity and program fit. Students with strong GPAs, clear articulation of prior coursework, and alignment with BYU's values tend to fare best in the transfer review process. As a result, many advisors now recommend that transfer applicants treat BYU as a realistic but not automatic target, one that rewards early preparation and thoughtful application strategy.
Actionable steps for applying to BYU
- Target a high school GPA of 3.75 or higher to align with the typical admitted student profile; this benchmark is supported by recent yield data and institutional reporting.
- Aim for SAT scores in the mid-1200s or ACT scores in the low-28s, understanding that BYU operates in a test-optional or test-flexible environment for many applicants.
- Submit a complete application by the stated deadlines, including all required documents such as transcripts, the BYU application fee of $35, and any supplemental materials related to faith or service.
- For transfer applicants, ensure that prior coursework maps closely to BYU's degree requirements and consult with an admissions counselor to review transfer pathways and articulation agreements.
- Research BYU's ties to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and be prepared to discuss how your background, values, and experiences align with the university's religious mission.
Everything you need to know about Brigham Young University Stats Reveal A Surprise
What is Brigham Young University's current acceptance rate?
Brigham Young University's current overall acceptance rate is approximately 67.8% for the 2024 admissions cycle, with around 7,929 students admitted out of 11,698 freshman applications. This rate reflects a slight decline from 69.2% in 2023 and an increase from 66.67% in 2022, indicating a modest tightening of standards amid relatively stable application volume.
How selective is BYU compared with other universities?
BYU is considered moderately selective, with an acceptance rate band of roughly 67-69% in recent cycles, rather than the sub-20% ranges typical of elite private universities. However, the admitted student body is academically strong, with about 90% of incoming freshmen entering with a high school GPA of 3.75 or higher, which places BYU competitively with many regional public flagships.
What GPA do you need to be competitive for admission?
To be competitive for admission, a high school GPA of 3.75 or higher is strongly recommended, because recent data show that nearly 90% of BYU's incoming freshmen meet or exceed that threshold. Students with GPAs below 3.5 can still apply, but they will need compensating strengths such as strong standardized test scores, rigorous coursework, and compelling personal essays or service backgrounds.
Are international students treated differently in the admissions process?
Yes; international applicants face a lower acceptance rate than domestic applicants, with recent data indicating about 58.9% acceptance for international students versus 67.9% for domestic ones. This difference reflects the smaller size of the international cohort, additional scrutiny around visas and academic translation, and the university's need to manage capacity and cultural fit.
What is BYU's transfer acceptance rate?
BYU's transfer acceptance rate was 60.6% for the 2024 admissions cycle, with 1,274 students admitted out of 2,049 transfer applicants. This rate falls below the freshman acceptance rate and reflects historical fluctuations between roughly 49% and 68% as the university has adjusted to changing transfer volumes and program demands.
How has BYU's acceptance rate changed over time?
BYU's acceptance rate has risen from about 48.05% in 2015 to a peak of 69.22% in 2020, then fluctuated through 59.0% in 2021 before settling in the high-60s by 2022-2024. This long-term trend suggests that the university has become more accessible, even as the admitted student body remains highly selective in terms of academic preparation.
How many students attend Brigham Young University?
For the 2023-2024 academic year, BYU reported a total enrollment of approximately 35,074 students, with 32,221 in undergraduate programs and 2,853 in graduate programs. More recent aggregations place total enrollment closer to 41,238, indicating that the university has expanded significantly between 2021 and 2025, primarily within the undergraduate segment.