Overview of Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University is a private Jesuit institution situated on a 106-acre campus in Santa Clara, California. Santa Clara University has impressive retention and graduation rates. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to choose from. A robust student/faculty ratio supports students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. In athletics, the Santa Clara University Broncos play in the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 8,642 (5,520 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 51 percent male/49 percent female
• 99 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $53,634
• Books: $1,971
• Room and Board: $15,507
• Other Expenses: $3,717
• Total Cost: $74,829

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 76 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 73 percent
  • Loans: 34 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $26,392
  • Loans: $6,149

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Engineering; Social Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; and Psychology

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 95 percent
•  4-Year Graduation Rate: 84 percent
•  6-Year Graduation Rate: 91 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Crew-Rowing, Golf, Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Crew-Rowing, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo, Beach Volleyball

Overview of Santa Clara University Admissions

Santa Clara University, which accepts half of all applicants, has a selective admissions process. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. This institution has a robust admissions process that involves a multitude of academic measures. Applicants must complete an online application. A persuasive essay and glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices. Students should make a campus visit to determine if the institution is a good fit for them.

Admissions Data                        

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, Santa Clara University had an acceptance rate of 50%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 50 students gained admission, making Santa Clara’s admissions process competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 62% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of Santa Clara’s students score within the top 20% nationally on the SAT. 50% of students admitted to Santa Clara scored between 630 and 700 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 630 and 25% scored over 700. 50% of students scored between 640 and 740 on the math part, while 25% scored under 640, and 25% scored over 740. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1440 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Santa Clara University.

ACT Requirements and Scores

During the 2018-19 admissions phase, 46% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of Santa Clara’s students score within the top 11% nationally on the ACT. The median 50% of students admitted to Santa Clara received a cumulative ACT score between 28 and 32, while 25% scored over 32, and 25% scored under 28.

GPA

In 2019, the median 50% of Santa Clara University’s class had high school GPAs between 3.57 and 3.90. 25% had a GPA of over 3.90, and 25% had a GPA under 3.57. Successful applicants to SCU have A and high B grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Santa Clara University, it should be easy to gain admissions to the schools below. If Santa Clara University is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

University of Connecticut, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Syracuse University, United States Military Academy, Penn State University Park, University of Cincinnati

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Santa Clara University, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Binghamton University, Lehigh University, University of Florida, University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Washington

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Santa Clara University. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

New York University, University of Michigan, Emory University, Boston College, Boston University, University of California, Berkeley, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute  

Applying to Santa Clara University

Application Deadline: January 7

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.scu.edu/admission/undergraduate/

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://apply.commonapp.org/Login

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.scu.edu/admission/graduate/

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://www.scu.edu/admission/graduate/