Founded in 1875 by Brigham Young and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brigham Young University is a premier private research university located in Provo, Utah. Spanning a 560-acre campus at the base of Y Mountain in the Utah Valley, BYU connects faith-centered education with business, law, foreign language instruction, and Big 12 athletic traditions. You can explore its founding charter, religious heritage, and institutional history through the Brigham Young University Wikipedia historical entry.
When you attend BYU, you enter a values-driven academic community defined by an Honor Code, small class sizes, high study abroad participation, and extensive global language fluency. Living in Provo places you inside a fast-growing technological region known as Silicon Slopes.
Premier Academic Programs
BYU organizes its instruction across specialized colleges holding top national reputations across diverse fields:
- Marriott School of Business: Top-ranked business school famous for accounting, corporate finance, entrepreneurship, and supply chain management. Explore degree options on the Marriott School of Business portal.
- Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering: Global leader in mechanical systems, cybersecurity, civil infrastructure, and chemical engineering.
- J. Reuben Clark Law School: Top-ranked private law school specializing in religious freedom, corporate litigation, and legal writing.
- College of Humanities: World-class language training center offering instruction in over 60 international languages.
- College of Fine Arts and Communications: Delivers elite training in animation, commercial music, broadcasting, and theater.
"Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve, the iconic motto carved above the campus entrance, drives student life at BYU."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily student experience centers on the Harold B. Lee Library, the Brigham Young Statue quad, and the Wilkinson Student Center. School spirit revolves around Cosmo the Cougar, the world-famous acrobatic mascot who leads student cheers during NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference athletic events. You can read about spirit traditions and mascot history on the official BYU Cougars Athletics portal. Hiking to the concrete Y on Mount Timpanogos, cheering inside LaVell Edwards Stadium for football games, and joining over 300 student clubs creates a close-knit campus culture.
Research Infrastructure and Animation Technology
BYU operates an active research enterprise recognized for undergraduate research contributions and technology incubation:
- BYU Center for Animation: Emmy Award-winning animation program collaborating directly with major Hollywood studios.
- PRISM Center for Smart Infrastructure: Advanced engineering research lab evaluating smart sensors and concrete durability. Learn more via BYU Research Operations.
- Benson Agriculture and Food Institute: Interdisciplinary research center addressing international food security and sustainable farming.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of presidential candidates, corporate founders, Hall of Fame athletes, and inventors, including:
- Mitt Romney: U.S. Senator, former Governor of Massachusetts, and 2012 U.S. presidential nominee who earned his degree at BYU.
- Steve Young: Super Bowl MVP quarterback, Pro Football Hall of Famer, and lawyer who earned his undergraduate and law degrees at BYU.
- Ken Jennings: All-time Jeopardy! champion and television host who earned his degrees in computer science and English at BYU.
- Jimmer Fredette: National College Player of the Year who captivated college basketball while playing for BYU.
BYU maintains subsidized tuition rates for members of its sponsoring church alongside competitive aid for all students. Review full admission standards on the official BYU Admissions portal.