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Santa Clara , CA
Santa Clara University, located in Santa Clara, California, is a private Jesuit institution known for its rigorous academic programs, innovative teaching methods, and commitment to social justice. Founded in 1851, it is the oldest institution of higher education in California. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in areas such as business, law, engineering, arts and sciences, education, and theology, attracting students from diverse backgrounds.
One of the main highlights of Santa Clara University is its strong emphasis on social justice, which is deeply rooted in the Jesuit tradition. The university encourages students to engage in community service and actively work towards creating a more just and humane society. This commitment is evident through the numerous service-learning opportunities available to students and programs such as the Pedro Arrupe Immersion Program, which allows students to live and serve in underserved communities domestically and internationally.
Academically, Santa Clara University provides a well-rounded education that prepares students for success in their chosen fields and fosters intellectual curiosity. The university boasts a distinguished faculty, many of whom are leaders in their respective fields, and offers a wide range of academic resources and research opportunities. Additionally, the campus offers state-of-the-art facilities, including modern classrooms, research centers, libraries, and interactive learning spaces, ensuring students have access to the tools necessary for a comprehensive education.
Overall, Santa Clara University exemplifies a combination of academic excellence, a commitment to social justice, and a vibrant campus community. It provides students with a transformative education that not only prepares them for career success but also instills in them a deep sense of social responsibility and a desire to make a positive impact on the world.
Santa Clara University is a private university located in Santa Clara, CA. This educational institution operates on a quarterly calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 47%. The freshman retention rate at Santa Clara University is 93.76% and the six-year graduation rate is 88%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 7. For transfer students, the application deadline is November 1.
To find out more about what Santa Clara University has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
6,577
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$62,760
Tuition
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
88%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. Check out some relevant data about admission at Santa Clara University.
According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 9,105 in 2025.
Test Scores
24% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 10% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 57% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 40% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 3% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 89 and 11 between 24-29.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.72. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 7. When submitting your application as a transfer student, the application deadline is November 1.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Santa Clara University was 93.76% in 2025, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 88%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by learning more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Santa Clara University in 2025 was 9,728.
That year, the school had 41.83% of students coming from another state. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 6,577, 487 of which were international students. 205 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 4,116 male and 4,234 female full-time students in 2025, which is indicative of the value gender equality has at this school. This school had 981 full-time graduate male and 1,028 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 1,400, while the number of African American students was 221. 1,297 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 606 identified with more than one race. The school also had 12 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 5 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 131 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this institution have.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Santa Clara University? Here is what you need to know.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $62,760 in 2025. Since Santa Clara University is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $753 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The approximate expense of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $1,089.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Santa Clara University was $20,553 per academic year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school amounted to $12,930, according to the data from 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 62,760 |
| Room and Board | $ 20,553 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,089 |
| Total Expense | $ 84,402 |
Financial Aid
Be it a grant, loan, scholarship, or work-study program, any type of financial help can be a great deal for most students. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at Santa Clara University.
According to the most recent data, 600 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $52,127.6 in financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
1,843 students were granted some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 1,963. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $6,396,854, and state $6,420,517. The students of Santa Clara University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $64,398,272, and external in the amount of $176,758.
$16,384
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 612 students overall (including freshmen) at Santa Clara University in 2025. 186 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $55,119,526. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $559,714 USD.
Majors
Faculty
11:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Santa Clara University was 11:1: that means 11 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The faculty of this school consists of 1,036 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 524 men and 512 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some information about social life at Santa Clara University.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? Santa Clara University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
FAQ
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Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, CA.
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According to the latest information, the tuition for Santa Clara University is 62,760 USD a year.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Santa Clara University is 47%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for Santa Clara University is 93.76%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
