By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 06/2025)

Brigham Young University (BYU) is a private university founded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (approximately 99% of students are members of the Church). Nestled at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains in Provo, Utah, BYU’s 738-acre campus is home to more than 35,000 students who come from 105 countries and every state in the United States.

This institution offers a wealth of subjects to study, including liberal arts, management, engineering, law and agriculture. It’s also known for its language offerings: Students can take courses in 62 different languages. Worth noting: U.S. News & World Report ranks the university #21 as a Best Value school.

Total Cost of Attendance

BYU attendance for the 2024-25 school year cost $21,940. This is significantly lower than the national average for private universities of $60,420, which is almost three times as much.

BYU tuition for the 2022-23 school year was $6,304. This is significantly lower than the national average for private universities of $39,400.

Financial Aid

At Brigham Young, 64% of students receive one or more forms of financial aid. These can include student loans, grants, and/or scholarships.

This student loans guide can help you determine the best options for financing your BYU education.

Explore financial aid options: Utah Student Loan & Scholarships.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

•  Scholarship Search Tool

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

At BYU, 9% of students take out federal student loans. Less than 1% take out private student loans averaging $8,228.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, since it generally has better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

BYU costs for four years of attendance are $87,760, based on 2024-25 tuition and other costs. This is a bargain compared to the national average for four years at private institutions of $241,680.

Here’s some Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

The cost for BYU tuition and fees plus books and supplies for all students is $7,080. This is a fraction of the current national average for private universities, which is $41,540.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

BYU tuition for graduate school is $8,416 per year. This is substantially less than the national average for grad school tuition of $21,730.

There are many options for graduate loans that can help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

You have the option to pay BYU tuition per semester or per term, and the BYU costs depend on how many credit hours you take. The cost per credit hour starts at $364 per credit hour for students who are Latter-day Saints. For those who are not Latter-day Saints, this cost is $728.

Campus Housing Expenses

On-campus housing at BYU is separated by gender, and there are strict visitation policies to align with the religious values of the institution. All single first-year undergraduate students are required to live on campus, in BYU off-campus contracted housing, or with family members.

BYU does work with certain housing facilities that provide off-campus options. Learn more about the off campus housing details .

Brigham Young University Acceptance Rate

The BYU acceptance rate is fairly high, making it moderately competitive to get into.

Admission Requirements

Here are the requirements and recommendations for applying at BYU.

Required:

•  High school transcript

•  Letter of recommendation (seminary, high school, other)

•  Essay

•  Proof of English proficiency possibly

Recommended:

•  SAT or ACT scores

The deadline for applications is December 15th, with notification by February 16th for Fall 2026 applicants.

SAT and ACT Scores

Here are the test scores for the 25th and 75th percentile at Brigham Young University.

Popular Majors at Brigham Young University

With more than a dozen colleges and more than 300 programs of study, Brigham Young’s education offerings are diverse. Here are the top majors at BYU.

1. Research and Experimental Psychology

Undergrads in this program will learn about the history of psychology and how to apply basic research methods in this field of study. They will also have the opportunity to participate in an internship or mentored research.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 230

2. Exercise Sciences

Students interested in how the body works will study Human Anatomy, Physiology, Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Chemistry, Physics, and Nutrition. Many undergraduates go on to get a Masters or PhD in Exercise Physiology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 228

3. Finance

Students in the Finance department learn how to understand and manage risk, analyze financial data, calculate and interpret metrics, and perform estimation and optimization procedures.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 216

4. Computer/IT Administration and Management

This program is a blend of business and technology, focusing on the creation, management, and analysis of data systems for business intelligence and operations. Students apply technology to solve business problems and build skills in areas like systems analysis, design, and implementation.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 196

5. Accounting

In addition to learning the fundamentals of accounting, students will also study Business Law, Principles of Finance, Marketing Management, Financial Statement Auditing, and Critical Thinking.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 193

6. Computer Science

Brigham Young University offers several Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science, including Animation and Games, Bioinformatics, Data Sciences, and a general Computer Science degree.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 183

7. Mechanical Engineering

BYU offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and also in Mechanical Engineering Aerospace. Both programs offer coursework in mathematics and engineering, and teach students to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 179

8. Economics

Econ students at BYU will study Macro and Microeconomics, Econometrics, Monetary Theory and Policy, Industrial Organization, Game Theory and Economics, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 152

9. Family Life: Human Development

This program provides Human Development content and theory. It focuses on how individuals develop, change, and face challenges throughout their lives, with an emphasis on strengthening families and relationships. Students learn how to research and evaluate topics in this field.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 146

10. Elementary Education and Teaching

This program at Brigham Young University trains students to pursue a career educating young children. Its courses teach foundational topics, as well as a deep dive into learning styles and learning differences.

Undergraduate degrees in 2023-24: 144

Graduation Rate

As evidenced by the graduation rates below for those who started their studies in Fall 2017, most BYU students take longer than four years to complete their studies.

•  4 years: 28%

•  6 years: 82%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

After graduating with an undergraduate degree, BYU students can earn, on average, $75,790. This is significantly higher than the national average for undergrads of $68,516 per year.

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 06/2025)

Texas A&M University is a public research university located in College Station, Texas, with a top-notch reputation. According to The Wall Street Journal, as of 2024, it ranked as the top school in the state, #11 of all public universities nationally, and #28 of all institutions in the U.S. This guide will give you information about the university’s admission requirements, the Texas A&M acceptance rate, tuition, financial aid, popular majors, and more.

Total Cost of Attendance

In 2024-2025, Texas A&M tuition and other expenses were as follows:

•  In-state tuition: $13,154, a 0.4% increase over the previous year

•  Out-of-state tuition: $40,124, a.0.5% decrease vs. the previous year

•  Books and supplies: $1,104, a 22.7% increase over the previous year

•  On-campus room and board: $13,008, a 1.1% decrease vs. the previous year

•  On-campus fees: $6,610, a 4.0% increase over the previous year

•  Off-campus room and board: $11,076, a 6.0% decrease vs. the previous year

•  Off-campus fees: $6,610, a 4.0% increase over the previous year

Total costs, then, are as follows:

•  In-state, on-campus total: $33,876, a 1.1% increase over the previous year

•  In-state, off-campus total: $31,944, a 0.6% decrease vs. the previous year

•  Out-of-state, on-campus total: $60,846, a 0.2% increase over the previous year

•  Out-of-state, off-campus total: $58,914, a 0.8% decrease vs. the previous year

Financial Aid

As of mid-2025, the university covers tuition for students with family incomes of $60,000 or less through scholarships and grants. Texas A&M also provides tuition support grants for first-time freshmen and first-time transfer students with family incomes of up to $130,000.

In 2022-2023, 77% of first-time, full-time undergraduates received some kind of financial aid, including student loans. More specifically:

•  Grants or scholarship: 61% of students received this type of aid with an average award of $11,607

•  Federal grants: 20% of students received this type of aid with an average award of $5,783

•  Pell grants: 20% of students received this type of aid with an average award of $5,486

•  Other federal grants: 8% of students received this type of aid with an average award of $851

•  State/local: 21% of students received this type of aid with an average award of $6,001

•  Institutional: 59% of students received this type of aid with an average award of $7,887

•  Student financial aid: 30% of students received this type of aid with an average amount of $8,772

•  Federal student loans: 28% of students received this type of aid with an average amount of $5,072

•  Other student loans: 6% of students received this type of aid with an average amount of $18,597

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

Recommended: Scholarship Search – College Scholarships Finder Tool

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) , a global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid.

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

In 2022-2023, 6% of students at Texas A&M received private student loans with an average amount of $18,597, as noted above.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, since it generally has better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

In 2024-2025, Texas A&M tuition was as follows:

•   In-state: $33,876 per year, or $135,504 for four years.

•   Out-of-state: $60,846 per year, or $243,384 for four years.

According to CollegeData.com, the average cost of attendance at a four-year public university is $115,360 for four years for in-state students and $186,920 for out-of-state students. Texas A&M, as you see, is more expensive than the norm.

Here’s some Texas Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

In 2024-2025, Texas AM tuition was:

•   In-state tuition and fees: $13,154

•   In-state books and supplies: $1,104

•   In-state total: $14,258

•   Out-of-state tuition and fees: $40,124

•   Out-of-state books and supplies: $1,104

•   Out-of-state total: $41,228

In comparison, average tuition costs in the U.S. for in-state public university students was $11,260 and $29,150 for out-of-state residents. Texas A&M is somewhat more expensive for in-state students and significantly more expensive for those from out-of-state.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

In 2024-2025, graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M were:

•   In-state tuition: $6,885

•   In-state fees: $4,863

•   In-state total: $11,748

•   Out-of-state tuition: $19,642

•   Out-of-state fees: $4,863

•   Out-of-state total: $24,505

The national average for graduate school is $21,730 per year for tuition and fees. While in-state students will find a Texas A&M degree less expensive than this figure, out-of-state students will pay a higher-than-average rate. Graduate loans can help with the cost of a post-college degree.

Cost per Credit Hour

Costs per credit hours at Texas A&M are:

•   In-state undergraduate: $365 to $448

•   Out-of-state undergraduate: $1,114 to 1,337

Campus Housing Expenses

In 2024-2025, room and board for on-campus students cost $13,008 and $11,076 for off-campus. There are numerous residence halls students can live in.

Park West is an independently-owned apartment complex on the campus property with numerous apartment buildings owned and operated by the university. A sampling of apartment rent prices as of mid-2025 range from $840 to $1,645, according to Apartments.com, depending on whether the unit is a studio or 2-3 bedrooms.

Texas A&M University Acceptance Rate

In fall 2023, 50,832 prospective students applied, and the Texas A&M University acceptance rate was 63%.

Admission Requirements

Students interested in Texas A&M can apply with their school record, rank, and GPA, as well as a personal statement. The SAT/ACT and English proficiency are also required.

SAT and ACT Scores

Students must submit SAT or ACT scores, as noted above.

In fall 2023, 80% of applicants to Texas A&M submitted SAT scores and 20% submitted ACT scores. The 25th and 75th scores were:

Popular Majors at Texas A&M University

At the end of the 2023-24 school year, 13,305 undergraduates received a degree from Texas A&M. Here are some of the most popular majors.

1. Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

This program provides students with flexibility. They can include courses from a broad range of academic disciplines to gain knowledge of and pursue multiple professional pursuits.

Number of degrees: 595

2. Psychology

Students take courses in applied psychology, clinical work, theory, and research. Classes focus on different disciplines: abnormal psych, cognitive psych, developmental psych, and social psychology.

Number of degrees: 564

3. Biomedical Sciences

This degree is a speciality of applied biology with a focus on health and disease in humans and animals. The goal is to prepare students to contribute to health care, research, and education in this field.

Number of degrees: 546

4. Mechanical Engineering

The curriculum helps to prepare students to create manufacturing systems, robotics, electromechanical devices, control systems, and more. Graduates in mechanical engineering are among the most versatile engineers and enjoy professional employment in industry, government, consulting, and research organizations.

Number of degrees: 469

5. Communication

Undergraduates learn about modern theories and practices in communication and journalism. The coursework focuses on helping students to develop outstanding analytical skills.

Number of degrees: 443

6. Computer Science

This program trains students to understand key facets of computer technology. Among the topics covered are software development, algorithms, and computer systems.

Number of degrees: 392

7. Health and Wellness

The department of kinesiology and sports management is one of the largest at the university and includes physical education activities. Students are prepared to pursue a variety of health care-related careers.

Number of degrees: 355

8. Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations

Students take coursework to prepare them for the global economy: digital marketing, customer experience management, marketing analytics, creativity and brand management, and more.

Number of degrees: 311

9. Education

Texas A&M plays a leading role in producing teachers in the state in bilingual/ESL education, science, and math. The university offers 22 degree programs to fill diverse educational needs and goals.

Number of degrees: 308

10. Accounting

This degree prepares students to understand business operations, communicate financial information, and use data for decision-making. Most graduates work for public accounting firms, financial institutions, business firms, and the like.

Number of degrees: 297

Graduation Rate

Graduate rates at Texas A&M were, for students who started their studies in Fall 2017:

•  4 years: 61%

•  6 years: 84%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Texas A&M grads have median earnings of $72,097 currently. The national average is $68,516, putting Texas A&M grads somewhat above the norm.