How to get into Brigham Young University
How to get into BYU: a Latter-day Saint university where the Honor Code and ecclesiastical endorsement are the actual application
67.8%
Acceptance rate
$6,688
In-state cost
What makes Brigham Young University admissions different
Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah is a large (~33,000 undergrad) private university owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU admits around 68% of applicants. The most distinctive thing about BYU admissions isn't the academic standard — it's the BYU Honor Code and the requirement for an ecclesiastical endorsement from a current religious leader. The Honor Code (which covers dress, grooming, behavior, and chastity standards) is binding on all students regardless of religious affiliation, and the ecclesiastical endorsement is a real application requirement that takes time and conversation.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Read the BYU Honor Code carefully before applying. The Honor Code is binding on all admitted students and is enforced by the Honor Code Office — students sign it as part of admission.
- 2.
Secure the ecclesiastical endorsement. LDS applicants get endorsed by their bishop; non-LDS applicants get endorsed by their own religious leader (or, in some cases, by an LDS bishop). The endorsement is part of the application and not a formality.
- 3.
Apply through BYU's direct application. BYU has its own application system (BYU does not use the Common App) and runs on rolling-style review with priority deadlines.
- 4.
Submit strong academics — BYU's published median GPA and test scores are competitive (around 3.85+ GPA, mid-1300s SAT for admits) — but the Honor Code and endorsement are gating considerations.
- 5.
Apply for the Heritage Scholarship and other named merit awards. BYU's tuition is dramatically subsidized for LDS members and the merit-scholarship pipeline further reduces cost.
- 6.
Confirm the tuition structure. BYU charges different tuition rates for LDS members (lower) and non-LDS students (higher) — the LDS rate is one of the lowest at any private university in the country.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Treating the Honor Code as a formality. The Honor Code covers genuinely strict standards on chastity, dress, grooming, and behavior that are enforced — students who can't or don't want to follow them should not enroll.
- ✕
Underestimating the ecclesiastical endorsement timeline. The endorsement process takes real conversation with a religious leader and shouldn't be left for the last week.
- ✕
Confusing BYU-Provo with BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, or Ensign College — these are different LDS-affiliated schools with different applications and standards.
- ✕
Assuming non-LDS applicants are penalized. Non-LDS applicants are admitted regularly and welcomed; they just pay higher tuition and still must follow the Honor Code.
The specifics for Brigham Young University
What makes this admissions process distinctive
All students sign and are bound by the BYU Honor Code, which covers dress, grooming, behavior, chastity, and substance use standards. The Honor Code Office enforces these standards and consequences for violations can include suspension or expulsion.
Ecclesiastical endorsement requirement
All applicants (LDS and non-LDS) must obtain an annual ecclesiastical endorsement from a religious leader as part of admission and continuing enrollment.
LDS-subsidized tuition
BYU charges different tuition rates for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (substantially lower, subsidized by the Church) and non-LDS students. The LDS rate is one of the lowest at any private university in the United States.
What graduates actually do
BYU, owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, produces a distinctive cohort: nearly all students follow the LDS Honor Code (dress, no alcohol, religious observance) and many take leaves for two-year missions. Alumni dominate Utah's tech and business sectors and have outsized presence at consulting firms, Big Tech, and the Big Four. The Marriott School of Business and engineering programs are particular strengths, and many graduates go directly to top MBA and law programs.
Notable alumni
- Stephen Covey — Authorship (7 Habits of Highly Effective People)
- Mitt Romney — Business/Politics (Bain Capital, US Senator)
- Aaron Eckhart — Acting
- Brandon Sanderson — Fantasy literature
- Ken Jennings — Trivia/television (Jeopardy! champion and host)
- Steve Young — Professional football (NFL Hall of Fame)
Transfer pathway
BYU accepts transfers but applicants must comply with the LDS Honor Code regardless of religious affiliation, including dress and grooming standards, abstention from alcohol/tobacco/coffee/tea, and chastity. Active LDS students must have an endorsement from their ecclesiastical leader; non-LDS students need an endorsement from a religious leader. A 3.5+ GPA is competitive given heavy demand. BYU has articulation with Utah Valley University, Salt Lake Community College, and Ensign College (also LDS-affiliated).
Articulation partners
Salt Lake Community College · Utah Valley University · Ensign College
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
If you're an LDS member with B+ academics who is fully committed to the Honor Code, BYU is a likely admit and an exceptional value. Non-LDS applicants who genuinely want to attend BYU and live by the Honor Code are welcomed but should think carefully about whether the standards match their life. BYU is not the right school for students who are ambivalent about the religious and behavioral standards.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.