BYU-Pathway Worldwide is an online higher-education program run in partnership with BYU-Idaho and Ensign College, and for many people in Utah County it is the college option they hear about at church but never see explained in plain numbers. It is not BYU in Provo, and it is not an online version of a Provo degree. It is a separate, low-cost, fully online path to certificates and bachelor's degrees awarded by BYU-Idaho and Ensign College.
This guide covers what it costs, how its degrees are built, who it suits, the next deadlines, and how it compares with the other affordable option in the county, Utah Valley University. Figures come from BYU-Pathway's own pages, read in November 2026, and from UVU's published 2026-27 tuition. Tuition and discounts change every year, so check BYU-Pathway's tuition page for the rate in effect when you register, and treat the comparisons below as a way to frame the decision rather than a quote.
The short version
| BYU-Pathway Worldwide | |
|---|---|
| Format | 100% online, plus a weekly gathering online or at a local Church building |
| Who awards the degree | BYU-Idaho or Ensign College |
| Tuition (U.S., Church members) | $89 a credit; non-members pay 25% more |
| Discounts | Guaranteed 10%, 25% or 50%; extra 25% for recently returned missionaries |
| Federal aid | Not available for U.S. citizens (no Pell, federal loans or VA benefits) |
| Admission | Free application, no ACT or SAT, decision within five business days |
| Bachelor's degree length | 90 to 96 credits, designed for three years |
| Next start | Courses start Jan. 4, 2027; apply by Dec. 28 |
What it is
BYU-Pathway Worldwide was announced in February 2017 and serves students around the world in partnership with BYU-Idaho and Ensign College. Students take online courses from those two schools, and the credentials are theirs.
Every program begins with foundational academic and religion courses. BYU-Pathway says these help students clarify goals, build skills in time management, communication, collaboration and leadership, learn online tools, and strengthen their faith. Every course counts toward the degree, so the start isn't a separate remedial program.
Students also gather once a week, either in online groups or at local Church facilities, for educational and leadership activities tied to their courses. For a Utah County student, that means a gathering at a nearby meetinghouse is likely an option, though the online groups work the same way.
BYU-Pathway courses include religion credits, and its application FAQ covers the CES Honor Code. Anyone can apply, regardless of Church membership.
How the degrees are built
BYU-Pathway's model is certificate first. Instead of only earning a bachelor's degree at the end, students earn three certificates and an associate degree on the way to it.
- A certificate is typically five courses and can be finished in a year or less.
- Every certificate course builds directly into a degree.
- Students choose a bachelor's degree, then pick three certificates that build it.
The bachelor's degrees are 90 to 96 credits, shorter than the traditional 120, because the program eliminates elective credits. BYU-Pathway says that lets a student finish in three years and saves about a quarter of the time and money.
The online bachelor's degrees listed for the three-year format:
- Applied Business Management
- Information Technology
- Applied Health
- Professional Studies
- Communication
- Software Development
- Family and Human Services
Each degree comes with job-focused certificates, and BYU-Pathway assigns mentors for support and guidance.
What it costs
BYU-Pathway lists U.S. tuition at $89 per credit for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Other students pay 25% more, which works out to about $111 a credit. Rates vary by country and are updated annually.
Discounts
Every student qualifies for at least one discount:
- Heber J. Grant Tuition Discount: 10%, 25% or 50%, based on need and enrollment status. Students complete an interactive lesson in their student portal after enrolling. Degree-seeking students must apply at the start of their program, register at least three days before the block begins, and reapply every two years.
- Returned Missionary Scholarship: 25% for anyone who returned from a mission in the past 60 months, even if they didn't complete it. Register at least three days before the block starts.
- Needs-based scholarship, determined with an assigned mentor, limited to one term during the first year.
- Reduced tuition for students who start through PathwayConnect, kept for the whole degree program.
- Private scholarships that students find and apply for on their own.
What a year costs, roughly
At the U.S. member rate, 30 credits is $2,670 before any discount. With the 25% Heber J. Grant discount, that drops to about $2,003; with 50%, about $1,335. Books and a reliable computer and internet connection are extra.
What a whole degree costs
The three-year structure is where the price difference gets large. A bachelor's degree through BYU-Pathway is 90 to 96 credits. At the U.S. member rate of $89 a credit, that is $8,010 to $8,544 in tuition for the entire degree before any discount. With the 25% Heber J. Grant discount, it is roughly $6,000 to $6,400; with 50%, roughly $4,000 to $4,300. Students who start through PathwayConnect keep its reduced rate for the whole program, which BYU-Pathway says lowers the cost further.
For comparison, eight semesters at UVU's 2026-27 resident rate of about $3,437 a semester comes to about $27,500 in tuition and fees, before scholarships and grants, and before any future increases. That isn't a like-for-like comparison, because UVU's degrees are longer, include in-person instruction and qualify for federal aid. But it shows why BYU-Pathway appeals to people paying out of pocket.
The federal aid catch
This is the line most people miss. BYU-Pathway says U.S. citizens working toward a degree through BYU-Pathway are not eligible for federal loans, Pell Grants, VA benefits or other third-party scholarships. For a low-income student who would qualify for a full Pell Grant at a public college, that changes the math.
Who it tends to suit in Utah County
BYU-Pathway was built for students who can't relocate to a campus or attend on a fixed schedule, and in Utah County that describes a lot of people who live within a few miles of two universities.
Parents at home are the clearest case. A course load of four credits and 9 to 15 hours a week, with a weekly gathering that can be online or at a nearby Church building, fits around school drop-offs and naps in a way that a class at 10 a.m. on a campus does not.
Working adults who started college and never finished are another. Because every course counts toward a degree and certificates arrive in a year or less, there is something to show for each stretch of effort, even if life interrupts the next one.
Returned missionaries get the most generous pricing: the 25% returned missionary discount for anyone home within the past 60 months, on top of the low base rate. For a returned missionary who isn't ready to commit to a full-time campus schedule, it is a low-risk way to start.
Students whose English is still developing can begin with EnglishConnect and the foundational courses before moving into certificate work.
It suits fewer people who want a traditional campus experience, a major outside its list, or the full value of a Pell Grant.
How it compares to UVU
For a Utah County resident, the obvious comparison is Utah Valley University, an open-admission public university in Orem.
| BYU-Pathway (U.S., member) | UVU (Utah resident, full time) | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, 30 credits | $2,670 before discount | $6,873.10 for 2026-27 |
| Federal aid (Pell, loans) | Not available | Available through the FAFSA |
| Format | Online, plus weekly gathering | In person and online |
| Bachelor's degree length | 90 to 96 credits | Standard four-year degrees |
| Majors | A focused list of applied degrees | A much wider range |
| Test scores | Not required | Not required for admission; used for scholarships |
When BYU-Pathway makes more sense:
- You work full time, have young children or need to study on your own schedule.
- You want a lower-cost, applied degree in business, IT, health, communication, software or family services, and the three-year structure fits.
- You don't qualify for much federal aid, so a Pell Grant wouldn't change the comparison.
- You want religion courses and a weekly gathering as part of school.
When UVU likely makes more sense:
- You qualify for a Pell Grant. UVU's Greenlight program covers the tuition left after grants and scholarships for full-time Utah residents who are Pell eligible, which can cover the rest of your tuition.
- You want a major BYU-Pathway doesn't offer, in-person classes, labs, athletics or campus life.
- You need a degree for a licensed profession with specific program requirements.
See UVU tuition 2026-27 and BYU and UVU scholarships for 2027-28 for the UVU side.
Applying
BYU-Pathway's application is designed to be quick:
- Free to apply, with no obligation to enroll.
- No ACT or SAT.
- About 20 to 30 minutes; you can save and finish later.
- Decision within five business days.
- Sign in with your Church account, or create a free account if you don't have one. You don't need to be a member.
Time and tech. Most new students start with 4 credits, including 1 credit of religion, and should plan for 9 to 15 hours of coursework a week. You need reliable internet. A smartphone works for the first courses, but a computer is recommended for certificate courses.
Upcoming deadlines
BYU-Pathway says you can apply any time of year, but each block has its own deadline:
| Apply by | Courses start |
|---|---|
| Dec. 28, 2026 | Jan. 4, 2027 |
| Feb. 22, 2027 | March 1, 2027 |
| April 26, 2027 | May 3, 2027 |
Remember that discount applications have their own timing: register at least three days before your block begins to keep the Heber J. Grant discount and the returned missionary discount.
Learning English first
BYU-Pathway also runs EnglishConnect, its English-learning program, for students who need to strengthen their English before or alongside academic courses. If English is your second language, ask about it when you apply. For free and low-cost English classes in Utah County, see our Spanish-language guide to English classes.
Is it a real degree?
Yes, in the sense that matters most: the diploma is issued by the school that teaches the courses. BYU-Pathway degrees are BYU-Idaho or Ensign College credentials, and BYU-Idaho holds regional accreditation. The degrees are applied by design, built around certificates that BYU-Pathway says are meant to make students more employable before they finish, and the bachelor's degrees skip electives to keep the program to 90 to 96 credits.
The trade-off is that a shorter, applied degree may not fit every plan. A graduate program or licensing board may have its own requirements for course work or degree length. If you have a particular graduate program or license in mind, ask it directly before you choose, and ask a BYU-Pathway mentor how other students have handled the same goal.
Your first block, step by step
- Create or sign in to your account. If you already sign in at churchofjesuschrist.org, use the same login. If not, create a free account; you don't need to be a member.
- Apply before the block deadline. The next one is Dec. 28 for courses starting Jan. 4, 2027.
- Watch for your decision, which BYU-Pathway says comes within five business days.
- Register at least three days before the block begins, which also keeps you eligible for the Heber J. Grant and returned missionary discounts.
- Complete the discount lesson in your student portal after enrolling, and apply for the Heber J. Grant discount at the start of your program.
- Join your weekly gathering, online or at a local Church facility.
Things to know before you start
- It isn't BYU in Provo. The degree comes from BYU-Idaho or Ensign College, and there's no Provo campus experience.
- No federal aid. Plan your budget around BYU-Pathway's own discounts and private scholarships.
- Keep your discount. Reapply for the Heber J. Grant discount every two years, and register early each block.
- Use the gatherings. The weekly group is part of the design and the easiest way to stay on track.
- Talk to a mentor early. BYU-Pathway assigns mentors, and they also help decide eligibility for the needs-based scholarship, so it pays to meet yours before your first block starts.
- Check how the degree fits your goal. If you're aiming for a specific employer or graduate program, ask whether the three-year applied degree meets their requirements.
Related Guides
- BYU vs. BYU-Idaho
- UVU tuition 2026-27
- BYU tuition 2026-27
- BYU and UVU scholarships for 2027-28
- BYU vs. UVU
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does BYU-Pathway cost?
Who awards BYU-Pathway degrees?
Can I use a Pell Grant or federal loans for BYU-Pathway?
When is the next BYU-Pathway application deadline?
Do I need to be a Church member to attend BYU-Pathway?
Do I need the ACT or SAT for BYU-Pathway?
How many hours a week does BYU-Pathway take?
Is BYU-Pathway cheaper than UVU?
Sources
The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.
- BYU-Pathway Worldwide: Tuition, BYU-Pathway Worldwide. Checked November 13, 2026.
- Tuition Discounts, BYU-Pathway Worldwide. Checked November 13, 2026.
- PathwayConnect, BYU-Pathway Worldwide. Checked November 13, 2026.
- Three-year bachelor's degrees, BYU-Pathway Worldwide. Checked November 13, 2026.
- Certificate-first degree options, BYU-Pathway Worldwide. Checked November 13, 2026.
- Start your BYU-Pathway application, BYU-Pathway Worldwide. Checked November 13, 2026.
