Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA · Midsize city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 48.0%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 18,843
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 8,261
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 1,552
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 19%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 47%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 40%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 670–730
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 680–760
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 31–33
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 25% / 12%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- required
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- required
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- not considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $82,026
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $61,293
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $61,293
- Median debt at graduation
- $19,162
- Students with federal loans
- 37%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 88%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 94%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $72,660
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $109,183
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 6,552
- Graduate students
- 3,151
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 11 : 1
- Women
- 49%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 11%
- Full-time faculty
- 72%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Julie Sullivan
- Main phone
- (408) 554-4000
- Address
- 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 1 | late December |
| Early Action | November 1 | late December |
| Early Decision II (binding) | January 7 | mid-February |
| Regular Decision | January 7 | late March |
- Apply with
- Common App
- Application fee
- $75 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Essays
- 1 optional essay (150-300 words)
- Recommendations
- 1 teacher evaluation or counselor recommendation
Testing: SAT/ACT not required; no disadvantage for not submitting
Financial aid policies
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Merit scholarships: Merit awards reviewed at admission; no separate application
- CSS Profile needed for need-based aid; not needed for merit-only consideration
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 76.4% (467 of 611)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 405 / 268 / 263
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: scu.edu, scu.edu, scu.edu, scu.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.