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Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University admits a bit under 50% of applicants; strong grades put you in the conversation at Santa Clara University, and the data below says what "strong" means.
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Santa Clara University sits in Santa Clara proper — a private campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it. The school maintains its Roman Catholic affiliation, which threads through campus life to a degree that varies by program.
Its highest-earning path is Computer Engineering, where graduates median $163,765 four years out. 11.3% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 6,552 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 93.9% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 1340 and 1500 — above the CA middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Santa Clara University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Santa Clara University received 18,843 applications and admitted 8,261 (43.8%), with 1,552 enrolling.
Santa Clara University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 1340–1500 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Santa Clara University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 660 | 700 | 730 |
| SAT Math | 680 | 720 | 770 |
| ACT Composite | 30 | 31 | 33 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Santa Clara University compares
| Santa Clara University | California median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 48% | 75.7% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $61,293 | $23,000 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $109,183 | $64,778 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Santa Clara University: $109,183 median at year ten, versus $64,778 across California institutions.
Cost, size & completion
Tuition runs $61,293 regardless of where you're from. At Santa Clara University, that sticker is a starting point for aid talks — not what the median family pays.
At 6,552 undergrads, Santa Clara University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
87.9% of Santa Clara University students finish a bachelor's within six years — 33.1 points above the national 54.9% — and the single best predictor that the $61,293 price above buys a degree, not just enrollment.
Top majors by earnings at Santa Clara University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $163,765 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $153,926 |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | $147,013 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $130,087 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $122,111 |
| Economics | $121,307 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $118,737 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $114,426 |
| Civil Engineering | $105,594 |
| Marketing | $104,723 |
| Political Science and Government | $93,518 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $84,206 |
| Psychology, General | $75,742 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $75,430 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $72,889 |
Median earnings for these 15 Santa Clara University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $109,183 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 30 additional Santa Clara University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Santa Clara University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 1340–1500 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 48% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Santa Clara University's acceptance rate?
43.8% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 8,261 admitted from 18,843 applicants.
How much does Santa Clara University cost?
At Santa Clara University, published tuition is $61,293 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Santa Clara University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Santa Clara University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $109,183 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in California
- Scripps College — 38.3% admitted
- University of San Diego — 52.4% admitted
- San Diego State University — 36.2% admitted
- Pacific Union College — 47.3% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.