Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Santa Clara, California
43.8% Acceptance Rate
Santa Clara University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
43.8%Acceptance Rate
3.67Avg GPA
1417Avg SAT
32Avg ACT
$77,768Annual Cost
$109,183Grad Salary
10.9%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
43.8%
Avg GPA
3.67
Avg SAT
1417
Avg ACT
32
Selectivity
Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1340–1500
ACT Middle 50%
30–33
Need-Based Aid
10.9% receive Pell
Santa Clara University Santa Clara University, founded in 1851 in California's Silicon Valley, is the oldest operating institution of higher learning in the state. The 106-acre campus offers comprehensive programs through six schools, with particular strengths in engineering, business, and law. Santa Clara maintains a 11:1 student-faculty ratio and is classified as an R2 research university. Campus landmarks include the Mission Santa Clara de As's and the state-of-the-art Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation. The university's athletic teams, the Broncos, compete in NCAA Division I as members of the West Coast Conference.
Santa Clara takes pride in its Jesuit tradition of educating the whole person and commitment to social justice. The curriculum emphasizes ethics, global awareness, and community engagement across all disciplines. Campus life includes over 100 student organizations and extensive service-learning opportunities. Recent additions include the Schott Athletic Excellence Center and the renovated Learning Commons. Santa Clara's combination of academic excellence, Silicon Valley location, and Jesuit values creates a transformative educational experience focused on leadership and service.
Santa Clara University Acceptance Rate
Santa Clara University is selective but reasonable. About 43.8% of applicants (44 per 100) are admitted each cycle.
What SCU Admissions Looks For
- Holistic Read: Recommendations and community involvement carry real weight here.
- Test Scores Help: Where submitted, scores near or above the middle 50% strengthen an application.
Selectivity at a Glance
Selective
Selectivity scale: Selective — 43.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier. A solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.67 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.47 – 3.66
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.22
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Santa Clara University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Santa Clara University (Early Action — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 82 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision II
January 7
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
January 7
Decision by: April 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
SCU GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at SCU is 3.67. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.37 and 3.67? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.87–4.07.SCU GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.67 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.47 – 3.66
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.27 – 3.46
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.26
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Two required essays (150-300 words each): one on background/lived experience and community contribution, one on an ethical dilemma and how an SCU education would help address it.
- One technically optional but strongly recommended 50-word short answer on interest in a selected division/major.
- Test-optional; acceptance rate clusters around 47-50% across recent cycles and sources, with roughly 41% of one recent admitted class not submitting test scores.
- Oldest operating institution of higher education in California (founded 1851); located adjacent to Silicon Valley with particular strength in business (Leavey School) and computer science/engineering.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at SCU
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Santa Clara University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Santa Clara University (SCU) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at SCU. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into SCU Without SAT or ACT?
SCU considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Santa Clara University Average SAT Score: 1417
Admitted students at Santa Clara University average a 1417 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1417 — Very Competitive
SCU's SAT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1500 SAT or 33 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Santa Clara University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1340? A retake is worth it at SCU. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 725 | 680 | 770 |
| SAT Reading | 695 | 660 | 730 |
| SAT Composite | 1417 | 1340 | 1500 |
A score under 1340 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1500+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1400
Can I get into Santa Clara University (SCU) with a 1500 SAT?
At 1500, your SAT is squarely in SCU's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Santa Clara University (SCU) ACT Requirements
SCU's admitted students average an ACT of 32.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 32 — Very Competitive
SCU's ACT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 30 | 27 | 33 |
| ACT Composite | 32 | 30 | 33 |
Can I get into Santa Clara University with a 33 ACT?
At 33, you're in the top quarter of SCU's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, SCU weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for SCU
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
At SCU, admissions looks for reliable, high-achieving students. The goal is to land as a top-tier applicant. That's what triggers both admission and the best merit aid.
Treat the two required essays as complementary, not redundant "why us" answers
SCU requires a 150-300 word essay on how lived experiences and background have shaped a student (an identity/community essay) plus a separate 150-300 word essay asking students to address an ethical dilemma and how an SCU education would help address it - both essays should connect back to specific SCU resources (Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, named programs, Jesuit mission) but via genuinely different personal stories, not the same anecdote reframed twice.
Don't skip the technically optional 50-word "why this major" response
SCU's third prompt (choosing a division/major from a dropdown, then answering in 50 words why) is officially optional, but at a school with roughly 47-50% acceptance and holistic review, admissions counselors consistently advise treating "optional" as a real opportunity, not a skippable formality. Encourage students to use even this tight space deliberately rather than omitting it.
Engage genuinely with SCU's Jesuit, ethics-centered framing rather than treating it as boilerplate
SCU's ethical-dilemma essay prompt and its broader mission (to educate "men and women for others") reflect a specific institutional identity rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics - students should be coached to engage with the actual content of this framing rather than name-dropping "Jesuit values" without substance, since admissions readers see that pattern often.
Use Silicon Valley proximity and specific programs (Leavey School of Business, engineering/CS) as concrete details, not generic "great location" language
SCU's location adjacent to Silicon Valley gives it genuine, citable strengths in business (the Leavey School of Business) and computer science/engineering, distinct from generic "great location for tech" framing. Students interested in these fields should name specific programs, courses, or research centers rather than only mentioning regional proximity.
Expert Insight:
SCU is the oldest operating institution of higher education in California (founded 1851) and explicitly leans into its Jesuit, ethics-and-service-oriented mission in its essay prompts - students whose chosen ethical-dilemma topic might read as politically divisive should think carefully about audience and framing, since SCU's Catholic, Jesuit-rooted values may not align with every possible approach to a controversial issue.
SCU Profile
Full Name
Santa Clara University (SCU)
City
Santa Clara
State
California
ZIP Code
95053
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
Is a SCU Degree Worth It?
Whether SCU is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $93,600, and graduates see a 2.97% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from SCU Cost?
Listed tuition runs $77,768/year at SCU. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land typically much lower.
At SCU, 10.9% receive a Pell Grant and 24.5% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming SCU on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a SCU Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, SCU graduates report a median income of $109,183, about 169% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Santa Clara University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| American University | Washington, DC | 1392 | 31 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 1397 | 31 |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Terre Haute, IN | 1389 | 32 |
| St. John's College | Annapolis, MD | 1381 | 31 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst, MA | 1393 | 31 |
| St Olaf College | Northfield, MN | 1373 | 30 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Santa Clara University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | 1416 | 32 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 1418 | 32 |
| Simpson College | Indianola, IA | 1410 | 32 |
| Mount Holyoke College | South Hadley, MA | 1422 | 32 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Santa Clara University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University Oakland | Oakland, CA | 1472 | 32 |
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | 1461 | 33 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| Georgetown University | Washington, DC | 1494 | 33 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | 1447 | 31 |
Degree Programs at SCU
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About SCU Admissions
Graduates of Santa Clara University earn a high median salary of $109,183/year, varying by field.
Tuition at Santa Clara University runs high, at roughly $77,768+/year, so financial aid planning matters.
10.9% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. Santa Clara University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Santa Clara University's acceptance rate is 43.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Santa Clara University students is 3.67, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.37 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Santa Clara University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.27 or below makes admission tougher at Santa Clara University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
Santa Clara University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1417, and within the 1340–1500 range, keeps you competitive.
Santa Clara University's deadline is November 1 (Early Action), with decisions out by December 15.
Santa Clara University charges an application fee of 70; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before November 1, 2026. That's Santa Clara University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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