Brigham Young University-Idaho: 95.6% Acceptance Rate

95.6%Acceptance

$4,656Tuition

42,090Students

55%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$53,406Earnings

#6 in IdahoPrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalData: 2023-24Latter-day Saints

About Brigham Young University-Idaho

BYU-Idaho runs on a unique three-semester system that lets students graduate faster or take breaks for missions and internships. The university serves 42,090 students in Rexburg, a small town surrounded by Idaho farmland and mountains. As a school owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it requires all students to follow an honor code that covers everything from dress standards to curfews. The acceptance rate hits 95.56%, but don't mistake this for low standards. Most students are committed Latter-day Saints who choose the school for its religious environment and affordable education.

The financial picture makes BYU-Idaho one of the best bargains in higher education. Tuition costs just $4,656 for everyone, whether you're from Idaho or across the country. After aid, students from families earning under $30,000 pay only $3,102 per year. Graduates carry a median debt of $13,969 and earn $53,406 ten years after graduation. With monthly loan payments averaging $148, most graduates can comfortably handle their debt load.

The student body tilts 55% female, and only 24% come from Idaho. The three-semester calendar means you'll meet students taking different paths through their degrees, creating a campus where some people are always coming or going for missions, internships, or family time.

Academics & Faculty

BYU-Idaho operates on a unique three-semester calendar that lets students graduate faster or take breaks for missions and internships. The university offers practical programs focused on career preparation rather than research, with strong business, education, and health science tracks that appeal to students wanting job-ready skills. With a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, classes are larger than at top colleges, but professors focus entirely on teaching since this isn't a research university. The 55% six-year graduation rate reflects the school's mission-focused student body, where many students take breaks for LDS missions or work, making traditional four-year timelines less common than at secular universities.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Graduation Rate (4-year): 54.5%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 55.1%
Retention Rate: 69.6%
Median Earnings (10 years): $53,406
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians.	Bachelor	$80,336
Computer Science.	Bachelor	$77,966
Computer and Information Sciences, General.	Bachelor	$73,635
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.	Bachelor	$66,653
Mechanical Engineering.	Bachelor	$64,493
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians.	Bachelor	$63,005
Computer Engineering.	Bachelor	$61,516
Construction Management.	Bachelor	$61,218
Civil Engineering.	Bachelor	$57,318
Soil Sciences.	Bachelor	$57,318

View all 98 programs →

Campus Life

BYU-Idaho sits in Rexburg, a small Mormon farming town about two hours from Salt Lake City and 45 minutes from Jackson Hole. With housing for only 1,162 students on a campus of 42,090, just 3% of students live in dorms. Most rent apartments or houses nearby, creating a close-knit community where students know their neighbors. Winters here are brutal, with temperatures dropping well below freezing and heavy snow from November through March. You'll need serious winter gear.

The campus follows a strict honor code that requires modest dress, no alcohol or caffeine, and no dating alone until you're 16 (though most students are older). Students attend devotionals, join study groups, and participate in service projects. With 55% women and 45% men, dating is a major part of campus culture. Weekends revolve around outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, and camping when weather permits. The unique three-semester system means students attend year-round with different tracks, so campus never empties out completely. This creates an intense but supportive academic environment.

Setting: Town-Distant
Housing Capacity: 1,162 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

67 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Dating Violence	0	0	19	0
Rape	0	0	19	0
Fondling	1	0	13	0
Aggravated Assault	1	1	3	0
Stalking	2	1	0	2
Burglary	0	0	2	0
Domestic Violence	0	0	1	1
Motor Vehicle Theft	0	0	1	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 14°–29°F
July Avg: 52°–85°F
Annual Precipitation: 12.6"
Annual Snowfall: 70.1"

Student Demographics

BYU-Idaho draws students from across the country, with about three-quarters coming from outside Idaho, reflecting the school's connection to the nationwide Latter-day Saints community. The student body skews female at 55%, which aligns with the university's strong programs in education and family studies that traditionally attract more women. About 25% of students receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves many middle-class families seeking an affordable religious education. The diverse geographic mix creates a unique campus where students from rural Idaho farm towns study alongside classmates from suburban California and international missionary returnees.

Men: 45.0%
Women: 55.1%
White: 58.9%
Black: 2.6%
Hispanic: 18.5%
Asian: 1.2%
In-State Students: 24.4%
Pell Grant Recipients: 24.9%

Location

Brigham Young University-Idaho sits in Rexburg, a small town about 240 miles north of Salt Lake City and 30 miles northeast of Idaho Falls. The campus serves 42,090 students in eastern Idaho's high desert country, where winters bring heavy snow and summers stay cool. Rexburg feels like a classic college town, with the university dominating daily life and local businesses catering to students. The area offers easy access to outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, and fishing, with Yellowstone National Park just 90 minutes away. Only 24.43% of students come from Idaho, meaning most travel from other western states to attend. Students considering colleges in Idaho may also compare Brigham Young University-Idaho with similar schools in the region.

Address: Rexburg, Idaho 83460-1690

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $53,406
Median Earnings (5 years): $54,925
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $35,600
Loan Repayment Rate: 70.0%
Monthly Loan Payment: $148/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $13,969

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Brigham Young University-Idaho?

BYU-Idaho accepts 95.56% of applicants, making admission highly accessible for students who meet the LDS honor code requirements. The average SAT score is 1095, which reflects the university's focus on providing education to a broad range of LDS students rather than being highly selective.

How much does Brigham Young University-Idaho cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $7,131 annually, with tuition set at just $4,656 regardless of residency status. This remarkably low cost reflects the LDS Church's subsidy of the university, making quality education affordable for church members.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Brigham Young University-Idaho?

The student-faculty ratio is 20:1 across the university's 42,090 enrolled students. BYU-Idaho operates on a unique three-semester calendar system that allows the university to serve more students year-round while maintaining its commitment to accessible LDS education.

What are the graduation rates at Brigham Young University-Idaho?

The six-year graduation rate stands at 55.10%, with graduates earning a median salary of $53,406 ten years after enrollment. The 69.63% retention rate reflects challenges some students face with the rigorous honor code and academic demands of the three-semester system.

Where is Brigham Young University-Idaho located and what is campus life like?

The university sits in Rexburg, Idaho, a small town setting with housing capacity for only 1,162 students out of over 42,000 enrolled. Most students live off-campus in the tight-knit LDS community, where the honor code governs both academic and social life.

Does Brigham Young University-Idaho require students to follow an honor code?

The university operates under a strict LDS honor code that governs student behavior, dress, and lifestyle choices as part of its religious mission. With 24.43% of students coming from Idaho and the rest largely from LDS families nationwide, the honor code creates a distinctive campus culture focused on faith and service.