University

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, California, United States

Verified · last verified 2026-09-02

University details

Institution type: Private, nonprofit
Campus setting: Urban
Application platforms: Not available
Testing policy: Not available
In-state tuition: $61,293
Out-of-state tuition: $61,293
Cost of attendance: Not available (2024–2025)
Undergraduate enrollment: 6,552

Website

Common Data Set

Institution-reported facts by reporting cycle. Missing and withheld values are shown explicitly.

2024–2025 · most recent available

First-year admission rate

48.0%

Calculated from applications and admissions reported in CDS C1. This is a factual calculation, not a CollegePath rating.

First-year admission

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 4.0 (C11): Not reported by institution
High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.75-3.99 (C11): Not reported by institution
High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.50-3.74 (C11): Not reported by institution
High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.25-3.49 (C11): Not reported by institution

Majors

Accounting and Related Services
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Anthropology
Social Sciences
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Engineering
Business/Commerce, General
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Business/Managerial Economics
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Chemistry
Physical Sciences
Civil Engineering
Engineering

Deadlines

Early action · 2026–2027
2026-11-01 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Early decision · 2026–2027
2026-11-01 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Early decision II · 2026–2027
2027-01-07 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Regular decision · 2026–2027
2027-01-07 — First-year deadline listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-14.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf

Supplemental essays

How many responses?

The published 150–300-word supplemental essay is optional.

2026–2027

Optional · First-year applicants
At Santa Clara University, we encourage our students to be creative, embrace challenges, and become changemakers. Think about an issue you care about and believe is important to address. This can be something happening in your local community or more globally. How can an SCU education help you prepare for and address this challenge?
Limit: 300 words — Optional supplemental essay submitted through the SCU application portal; response length is 150–300 words.
https://www.scu.edu/admission/undergraduate/first-year-students/
Optional · First-year applicants; optional; 150-word minimum
At Santa Clara University, we encourage our students to be creative, embrace challenges, and become changemakers. Think about an issue you care about and believe is important to address. This can be something happening in your local community or more globally. How can an SCU education help you prepare for and address this challenge?

Application requirements

2026–2027

Application fee · Required
Value: $75
First-year U.S. application fee listed in the Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Fee waiver · Optional
Value: Accepted
Common App fee-waiver availability listed in the 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Personal essay · Required
The Common App personal essay is marked required in the 2026–2027 Requirements Grid, updated 2026-08-28.
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Supplemental essays · Optional

Sources

Direct sources supporting this university’s facts, with retrieval dates.

Secondary source · supports requirements:2026–2027
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Retrieved 2026-09-02 — Common App member-reported first-year fees, fee-waiver availability, and personal-essay requirements; grid updated 2026-08-28.
Official source · supports requirements:2026–2027:supplemental_essays
https://www.scu.edu/admission/undergraduate/first-year-students/
Retrieved 2026-09-02 — The published 150–300-word supplemental essay is optional.
Common App 2026–2027 Requirements Grid · supports deadlines:2026–2027
https://content.commonapp.org/Files/ReqGrid.pdf
Retrieved 2026-08-20 — Common App member-reported first-year deadlines; grid updated 2026-08-14.
Official source
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?122931

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.00-3.24 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.50-2.99 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.00-2.49 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA 1.00-1.99 (C11)

Not reported by institution

High-school GPA distribution · GPA below 1.0 (C11)

Not reported by institution

Average high-school GPA (C12)

Not reported by institution

First-year applications (C1)

18,970 applicants

IPEDS 2024 provisional statistic discovered via CollegeData.FYI; verify against the institution CDS

First-year students admitted (C1)

9,105 students

IPEDS 2024 provisional statistic discovered via CollegeData.FYI; verify against the institution CDS

First-year students enrolled (C1)

1,611 students

IPEDS 2024 provisional statistic discovered via CollegeData.FYI; verify against the institution CDS

Academics and class size

Student-to-faculty ratio (I2): Not reported by institution

Enrollment

Undergraduate enrollment (B1): 6,577 students; IPEDS 2024 provisional statistic discovered via CollegeData.FYI; verify against the institution CDS
Full-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 6,431 students; IPEDS 2024 provisional statistic discovered via CollegeData.FYI; verify against the institution CDS
Part-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 146 students; IPEDS 2024 provisional statistic discovered via CollegeData.FYI; verify against the institution CDS

Testing

Enrolled students submitting scores · SAT (C9): 24%; IPEDS 2024 provisional statistic discovered via CollegeData.FYI; verify against the institution CDS
Enrolled students submitting scores · ACT (C9): 10%; IPEDS 2024 provisional statistic discovered via CollegeData.FYI; verify against the institution CDS
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 25th percentile (C9): 670 score; IPEDS 2024 provisional statistic discovered via CollegeData.FYI; verify against the institution CDS
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 75th percentile (C9): 730 score; IPEDS 2024 provisional statistic discovered via CollegeData.FYI; verify against the institution CDS
SAT Math · 25th percentile (C9): 680 score; IPEDS 2024 provisional statistic discovered via CollegeData.FYI; verify against the institution CDS
SAT Math · 75th percentile (C9): 760 score; IPEDS 2024 provisional statistic discovered via CollegeData.FYI; verify against the institution CDS
ACT Composite · 25th percentile (C9): 31 score; IPEDS 2024 provisional statistic discovered via CollegeData.FYI; verify against the institution CDS
ACT Composite · 75th percentile (C9): 33 score; IPEDS 2024 provisional statistic discovered via CollegeData.FYI; verify against the institution CDS

Source: Santa Clara University Common Data Set 2024-2025 (institutional data not reported) · Retrieved 2026-09-02

Open the official institutional source

Document ID: url:https://www.scu.edu/ · Import: cds-2026-09-v85

2024–2025 · earlier reporting cycle

First-year admission rate

48.0%

Calculated from applications and admissions reported in CDS C1. This is a factual calculation, not a CollegePath rating.

Enrollment

Undergraduate enrollment (B1): 6,577 students
Full-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 6,431 students
Part-time undergraduate enrollment (B1): 146 students

First-year admission

First-year applications (C1): 18,970 applicants
First-year students admitted (C1): 9,105 students
First-year students enrolled (C1): 1,611 students
High-school GPA distribution · GPA 4.0 (C11): 9.87%; All enrolled students column.
High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.75-3.99 (C11): 44.57%; All enrolled students column.
High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.50-3.74 (C11): 27.62%; All enrolled students column.
High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.25-3.49 (C11): 13.04%; All enrolled students column.
High-school GPA distribution · GPA 3.00-3.24 (C11): 4.16%; All enrolled students column.
High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.50-2.99 (C11): 0.74%; All enrolled students column.
High-school GPA distribution · GPA 2.00-2.49 (C11): 0%; All enrolled students column.
High-school GPA distribution · GPA 1.00-1.99 (C11): 0%; All enrolled students column.
High-school GPA distribution · GPA below 1.0 (C11): 0%; All enrolled students column.
Average high-school GPA (C12): 3.72 GPA

Testing

Enrolled students submitting scores · SAT (C9): 24%
Enrolled students submitting scores · ACT (C9): 10%
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 25th percentile (C9): 670 score
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing · 75th percentile (C9): 730 score
SAT Math · 25th percentile (C9): 680 score
SAT Math · 75th percentile (C9): 760 score
ACT Composite · 25th percentile (C9): 31 score
ACT Composite · 75th percentile (C9): 33 score

Academics and class size

Student-to-faculty ratio (I2): 11.28:1; Fall 2024 ratio calculated from the official CDS counts of 7,468 students and 662 faculty.

Source: Santa Clara University Common Data Set 2024-2025 · Retrieved 2026-09-02

Open the official institutional source

Document ID: url:https://www.scu.edu/media/offices/institutional-research/fampf/common-data-set/Common-Data-Set-2024-2025.pdf · Import: cds-2026-09-v97

Classical and Ancient Studies

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Communication and Media Studies

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

Computer Engineering

Engineering

Computer Software and Media Applications

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

Visual and Performing Arts

Economics

Social Sciences

Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering

Engineering

Engineering Physics

Engineering

Engineering, General

Engineering

English Language and Literature, General

English Language and Literature/Letters

Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

Finance and Financial Management Services

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Fine and Studio Arts

Visual and Performing Arts

Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

Human Resources Management and Services

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Management Information Systems and Services

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Marketing

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Mathematics

Mathematics and Statistics

Mathematics and Computer Science

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Mechanical Engineering

Engineering

Music

Visual and Performing Arts

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Natural Resources and Conservation

Natural Sciences

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

Neurobiology and Neurosciences

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Philosophy

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Physics

Physical Sciences

Political Science and Government

Social Sciences

Psychology, General

Psychology

Public Health

Health Professions and Related Programs

Religion/Religious Studies

Philosophy and Religious Studies

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Sociology

Social Sciences

Limit: 300 words — Verbatim prompt recorded from the official first-party source; cycle wording should be rechecked when the institution updates its application.

The published 150–300-word supplemental essay is optional.

Retrieved 2026-06-10