Brigham Young University is a private university in Provo, Utah, operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offering exceptionally affordable tuition subsidized by church funds. BYU is home to the nation's top-ranked undergraduate accounting program and a nationally recognized animation program. The university enrolls over 30,000 students and maintains a strict honor code that shapes campus culture.
Mascot: Cougar
Notable Alumni
Stephenie Meyer (Twilight series author)•Steve Young (NFL Hall of Fame quarterback)•Brandon Sanderson (bestselling fantasy author)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Campus Experience
BYU has no Greek life and is Princeton Review's perennial #1 'stone cold sober school' — the Honor Code bans alcohol, drugs, coffee, and premarital sex both on and off campus. But the social life is surprisingly active: the dating culture is real, and weekends are packed with university-sponsored concerts, outdoor adventures, and ward activities. It's vibrant — just on completely different terms than any other school on this list.
Nestled against the dramatic Wasatch Mountains, the campus features well-maintained modern and mid-century buildings with expansive lawns and a spectacular mountain backdrop that elevates the entire setting.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
BYU has one of the lowest campus crime rates in the nation, with annual reports showing a general decrease in crime. The honor code culture and campus police contribute to an exceptionally safe environment.
Provo is consistently ranked among the safest cities in the U.S., with very low violent crime and a family-oriented suburban community.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Mon-Fri, tours leave every hour from 9am to 4pm
Duration: ~60 minutes (walking or golf cart tour)
Schedule tours prior to your visit. Walking and golf cart tour options available. Tours via Zoom also offered. 150th anniversary special 60-min cart tour available. Ask receptionist at Hinckley Center for a 1-hour parking pass.
Book a TourSelf-guided tours available — campus is free and open to the public. Student-led virtual tour videos and virtual tours from anywhere in the world also available. BYU Tree Tour guide lets you explore the campus arboretum.
Tour ResourcesSeptember through October for stunning fall mountain views, or April through May when the campus and Provo Valley are green and vibrant. Avoid late December through early January (winter break) and July (summer term has fewer students). BYU's campus is especially beautiful against the Wasatch Mountains backdrop in autumn.
1-hour visitor parking at Hinckley Center visitor lot — ask receptionist for a rearview mirror pass. Additional visitor parking near the Wilkinson Student Center on 1100 North. From Salt Lake City Airport (SLC): I-15 South ~45 min to Exit 269 (University Parkway), east toward mountains to campus. Provo has no major public transit to campus; driving or rideshare needed.
Location
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