You’ve asked; we’ve listened. Here, we cover some of the most asked questions about getting into Baylor. After reading this, you’ll have a better idea of how you measure up to other students getting admitted and of whether or not Baylor is a good fit for you academically.
How Hard is it to get into Baylor?
Baylor is what we would call a moderately selective school. Getting in requires real work and preparation, and getting an acceptance letter is quite an achievement. It’s also not the rat race that some Ivy League application processes seem to be. If you have the stats for it, you have a real shot.
What Is Baylor’s Acceptance Rate?
Baylor’s acceptance rate is 51%.[1] This would classify Baylor as a moderately selective school. If you have the grades to match those accepted by Baylor, you have a decent shot of getting in. This is especially true because Baylor reports that they value grades and standardized test scores above all else in an application.[2] Remember also that Baylor reviews applications holistically, so if you don’t have the grades for which you hoped, there are other things that could turn heads on the admissions committee: an excellent essay, an interesting activities list, or an impressive resume.
As a side note, this 51% acceptance rate was quite a challenge to find. The first few calls to Baylor proved unfruitful. Out of pure frustration, I called a fifth time and was connected to someone who directed me to an online report with our answer. Buried in the report were the numbers I needed to calculate the 51%. Eureka!
Is Baylor Hard to Get Into?
Now for the verdict. An acceptance rate of 51% tells us a lot. Baylor is hard to get into if you don’t have the grades and test scores that other admitted students do. However, Baylor lacks the competitive ACT and SAT requirements of Harvard or Princeton. In fact, SMU’s acceptance rate and TCU’s admission requirements are technically harder to get into than Baylor’s. Remember that, for Baylor, grades and standardized test scores carry more weight than the other parts of your application. If you do have the grades and scores to match their standards, it won’t be as hard.
Academics
Your academics are the most important factor to the Baylor admissions committee. This includes your standardized test scores, your GPA, and how well you’ve done with the rigor of classes you’ve chosen. Let’s explore what academic level you need to be on to get into Baylor.
Baylor Average ACT
The average ACT score of those admitted to Baylor is 28.[3] If you are sitting at a 28 or above (and a solid GPA), you’ll be within the academic profile of many admitted students.
Baylor SAT Requirements
Does Baylor Require SAT scores? Baylor doesn’t have a minimum score threshold for the SAT (or the ACT for that matter). In fact, they don’t require either test at all. We’ll revisit that in a moment. But that doesn’t mean they don’t value your ACT and SAT scores if you choose to submit them. Baylor’s website says the following:
Due to the volume of applications we receive, Baylor values standardized test scores as distinguishing factors in a student’s application. We encourage our applicants to submit their scores to create a well-rounded application file that will stand out among the rest.[4]
That means that to stand out, your SAT score ought to be up to snuff. The average SAT score of students admitted to Baylor is 1,260.[5] If you have scored a 1,260 or higher on the SAT, you check one of Baylor’s boxes.
Is Baylor Test-Optional?
Baylor is currently test-optional.[6] But what does that mean for you? Now that you know the average test scores for students admitted to Baylor, compare those to your scores. Let’s use the ACT as our example. You should have a score of 28 or higher if you plan to submit your ACT score to Baylor. Anything less than the average 28 won’t help your application; it will detract from it. If your test scores aren’t helping, don’t lose hope. Baylor reviews applications holistically and will still give other parts of your application a fair shot.
Does Baylor Superscore?
Baylor does supercore on both the ACT and the SAT. We love that good news! However, here’s something to watch out for with Baylor supercoring. Starting in April of 2025, Baylor has changed their superscoring process to no longer include the science section. Superscores will be based only on English, Math, and Reading scores.[7] If you’re unsure, check your score in goBaylor. Whatever is posted there is the score the admissions team sees.
What GPA Do You Need to Get Into Baylor?
Baylor does not post an average GPA for admitted students. There is also no minimum GPA required for the application. However, they do give us some information on class rank that might help. Almost everyone (93%) admitted they were in the top half of their class; about two-thirds (68%) were in the top quarter; and about a third (35%) were in the top 10% of their class.[8] If you are going to be accepted to Baylor, you should be near the top of your class, with whatever GPA might be required to get there.
Baylor Admission Requirements?
There are no minimum test scores or GPA when applying to Baylor. There is, however, a checklist of items you will need in your application.
Required:
- Completed application from Baylor Online Application, CommonApp, or ApplyTexas
- Short essay
For 2026, the essay is…
What are you looking for in a university, why do you want to attend Baylor, and how do you see yourself contributing to the Baylor community?
- High school transcript
Optional:
- ACT or SAT scores
- The Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS)
- Recommendation letters
- Resume
As an argument to submit some of these optional application materials, Baylor says that…
Test scores and GPAs are only part of your story.[9]
In other words, if you only give the bare minimum, Baylor doesn’t see your whole story. Consider adding some of those optional materials to bolster your application. A glowing rec letter or an impressive ACT score can really help your application stand out to the admissions committee.
Applying to Baylor
Visit the previous paragraph for what to include in your Baylor application. Here, we’ll talk about deadlines for those materials.
Baylor Application Deadline
Baylor’s regular decision deadline is February 15th. This is the deadline if you have missed the early action deadline of November 1st. Your chances if applying regular decision aren’t as great, but you still have a shot if you have an impressive application.
When does Baylor release decisions for regular applications? You should get a response by April 10th.[10]
Baylor Early Action Deadline
Baylor’s early action deadline is November 1st. This deadline, set much earlier than February 15th, forces you to get your act together much more quickly. But your chances of getting in are greater. I say, take the chance if you’re able to apply early action.
When does Baylor release Early Action Decisions?
The Baylor Early Action decision date is no later than February 1st.[11] Note that this release date is sooner than the regular decision release date. This implies that they are accepting early action applicants before regular decision applicants. Just one more reason to get it done sooner if at all possible.
Baylor Early Decision Deadline
Baylor’s early decision deadline is November 1st as well. Early decision is a binding agreement. If you apply early decision, you are committing to attend the school if accepted. Only apply early decision if you are certain you want to attend Baylor over any other school.
When does Baylor release decisions for ED applications? You will be notified by December 15th.[12] This is the earliest anyone is notified because the admissions committee reviews these applications first. Think of it as getting first dibs on acceptance. You are much more likely to be accepted when you apply ED.
Conclusion
Getting into Baylor is about preparation and positioning. With a 51% acceptance rate, Baylor is selective enough to require strong academics, but accessible enough that qualified students have a real opportunity. If your GPA, class rank, and test scores align with those of admitted students, you’re in the conversation. If they’re slightly below, a compelling essay, meaningful involvement, and strong recommendations can still make an impact.
The biggest takeaway? Focus on what you can control. Challenge yourself academically. Apply early if you can. Submit test scores only if they strengthen your application. And don’t treat the “optional” materials as an afterthought if they help tell your story.
References
[1] “Common Data Set | Institutional Research | Baylor University.” Institutional Research. Accessed 10 March 2026.
[2] Ibid.
[3] “Baylor University – Incoming Freshman | Baylor University.” Undergraduate Admissions. Accessed 4 March 2026.
[4] “Test Optional Process | Undergraduate Admissions | Baylor University.” Undergraduate Admissions. Accessed 4 March 2026.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid.
[8] “Common Data Set | Institutional Research | Baylor University.” Institutional Research. Accessed 10 March 2026.
[9] “Baylor University – Incoming Freshman | Baylor University.” Undergraduate Admissions. Accessed 4 March 2026.
[10] “Admission Plans | Undergraduate Admissions | Baylor University.” Undergraduate Admissions. Accessed 5 March 2026.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.