Brigham Young University

What is the accreditation of Brigham Young University?

BYU is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from accreditation that may apply to an individual professional program.

BYU programs in fields such as business, engineering, education, nursing, and law may also be subject to discipline-specific accreditation or professional approval. Applicants entering a licensed profession should verify the status of their exact program and the rules of the state where they intend to practice. Institutional accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and to how other institutions may consider transfer credit, but it does not guarantee that another college will accept a particular course or that a graduate will qualify for a license.

What are the admission requirements at Brigham Young University?

BYU does not have open admission. First-year applicants generally submit the university's application, a secondary-school record and GPA information, and the required recommendations and application responses. Applicants must also meet BYU's ecclesiastical endorsement requirements.

Standardized-test scores are considered but are not required under the admissions information reported for 2024-25. Among enrolled first-time students who submitted scores, the median SAT composite was 1330 and the median ACT composite was 29. Because only a portion of enrolled students submitted each test, those medians are not minimum admission scores or a complete picture of the class. BYU admitted about 68% of first-time applicants in that reporting period.

Applicants educated outside the United States or in a language other than English should check BYU's current English-proficiency rules, which may call for a qualifying test such as the TOEFL. Graduate programs and some undergraduate majors have additional requirements. Application deadlines and test policies can change by entry term, so applicants should use the admissions calendar for their intended term rather than assume that applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

What are the application fees and waivers at Brigham Young University?

The reported undergraduate application fee is $35. This is an application charge, not an enrollment deposit or a payment toward tuition.

Applicants who cannot afford the charge should check the fee-waiver instructions in BYU's current application before submitting it. Waiver eligibility and the method of requesting one can depend on applicant circumstances, and a waiver may need to be approved before payment. Graduate and professional applicants should check their program's application instructions rather than assume the undergraduate fee applies to them.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Brigham Young University?

BYU has Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC programs through which eligible students can pursue military-officer training alongside their academic studies. Participation in ROTC is different from joining the armed forces immediately, although particular scholarship or commissioning paths can create service obligations.

Students considering either branch should ask its BYU detachment about courses, physical and medical standards, commissioning requirements, and scholarship applications. ROTC scholarships are competitive and should not be treated as automatic tuition assistance. Applicants interested in Navy ROTC should confirm whether an approved arrangement at another institution is available to them rather than assume BYU hosts a Navy unit.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Brigham Young University?

BYU accepts transfer applications and generally considers college credit earned at other accredited institutions. Transfer applicants should submit records from every college attended and satisfy the university's application and ecclesiastical endorsement requirements.

The number and timing of completed college credits affect whether an applicant is evaluated primarily as a transfer student or must also provide more extensive high-school information. Transfer admission and transfer-credit acceptance are separate decisions: a course may transfer as credit without satisfying a particular major or general-education requirement. BYU's transfer-equivalency resources can help with preliminary planning, but an official evaluation follows review of the applicant's records.

Applicants aiming for a restricted major should check its prerequisites and admission process before choosing courses elsewhere. They should also confirm current term-specific deadlines and BYU's minimum residence-credit requirements for graduation; entering with many credits does not necessarily eliminate the need to complete substantial coursework at BYU.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Brigham Young University?

BYU offers international study opportunities through its David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies. Options can include study abroad, international internships, and other approved experiences, with destinations and formats varying by year and program.

Students should determine whether a particular opportunity is operated by BYU or arranged through a partner, how its courses apply to their degree, and whether prerequisites or language skills are required. Program charges and travel expenses can differ substantially from a regular term in Provo. Financial-aid eligibility also depends on the program and the student's aid package, so academic approval and funding should be settled before making nonrefundable travel plans.