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Santa Clara University

Liaison Partner

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.

Located in Santa Clara, CA and set in a suburban environment, Santa Clara University is a private university. It has an acceptance rate of 43%. The freshman retention rate at Santa Clara University is 93.6% 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 April 15.

Explore this school's profile to find out the most important things about Santa Clara University.

Quick Facts

6,249

Total Number of Undergraduate Students

43%

Acceptance Rate

$60,639

Tuition

10:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

88%

Graduation Rate

Admissions

If you find out as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly improve. Here are the most essential data you should know about admission policy and requirements at Santa Clara University.

According to the most recent data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 8,261 in 2024. Santa Clara University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the student. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. This renowned institution with a rich history offers an unmatched learning experience to its students.

Test Scores

25% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 11% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 57.51% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 41.48% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 1.02% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 76.8, 22.1 between 24-29 and 1.1 in the range between 18-23.

The ACT composite average score for all the admitted students in 2024 was 31 and the average GPA was 3.73. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted as well as an above-average ACT score.

The SAT Critical Reading average score was 700 for the accepted students, while the average SAT Math score was 720.

Average Test Scores

Deadlines

Be sure to apply to this school by January 7. When submitting your application as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is April 15.

43%

Acceptance Rate

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. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.

As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Santa Clara University was 93.6%, which is an amazing 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. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 88%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.

Student Body

It is never easy to figure out which school is the best choice for you. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by learning more about the student body.

Main Student Body

In 2024, the school had an enrollment of 9,326 students.

The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 40% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 6,249, 484 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 215.

Student Population Gender Ratio

With a coeducational student body, the school had 4,077 male and 3,989 female full-time students in 2024. This school had 981 full-time graduate male and 1,028 full-time graduate female students at this school.

Student Population Diversity

Higer Education is committed to expanding the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at Santa Clara University.

In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 1,339, while the number of African American students was 218. 1,168 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 554 identified with more than one race. The school also had 15 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 2 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 116 students whose ethnicity is unknown.

Cost

Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some important data on Santa Clara University costs that most students encounter at this school.

Tuition and Fees

Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Santa Clara University estimated tuition fees.

Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $60,639 in 2024. Santa Clara University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students summed up to $654 in 2024.

Books and Supplies

The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another significant expense. Most students have to set aside about $1,062 for books and supplies during their time at Santa Clara University.

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 colleges and universities typically charge for accommodation and meals?

In 2024, the price of room and board at Santa Clara University was $22,086 per academic year.

Tuition $ 60,639
Room and Board $ 22,086
Book and Supplies $ 1,062
Total Expense $ 83,787

Financial Aid

Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial aid for students. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at Santa Clara University.

The most recent records show that 567 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students amounted to $40,735.

Need-based

Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.

1,716 students were designated some form of need-based financial aid. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 2,403. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $4,500,263, and state $4,943,185. The students of Santa Clara University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $62,368,432, and external in the amount of $1,277,817.

$16,788

Average Amount of Aid Received

Non-Need Based

Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for 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 1,127 students overall (including freshmen) at Santa Clara University in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 291 full-time freshmen. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $36,212,635. 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 $936,969 USD.

Open Applications

Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.

The Common Application for Transfer (Common App for transfer)

School of Engineering - Fall 2025

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Leavey School of Business - Fall 2025

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College of Arts and Sciences - Fall 2025

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Majors

Faculty

10:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio represents the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.

In 2024, this ratio at Santa Clara University was 10:1. That means that there were 10 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 988 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 513 male and 475 female faculty members.

Student Population Diversity Graph

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Campus Life

It is not all about learning and grades at Santa Clara University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about social life at Santa Clara University.

Its campus spans 106 acres.

Student Organizations

A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.

The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 204. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Into the Wild, followed by Activities Programming Board and Santa Clara Community Action Program. Other popular organizations at Santa Clara University are Associated Student Government and Multicultural Center.

For those drawn to acting, there is a drama club where you can participate. You have a talent for media and communication? Santa Clara University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.

Student Services

At Santa Clara University, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.

There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol available 24/7. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.

There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of Santa Clara University.

All in all, campus life at Santa Clara University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.

Career Services

Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Santa Clara University.

Career Counselling

At Santa Clara University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career.

Job Placement

Knowing what salary you can expect once you have completed your studies can help you decide if a certain school matches your career goals.

Students who find employment within six months of graduating can expect an average base annual starting salary of 71,888 USD.

$71,888

Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation

FAQ

Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, CA.

According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 60,639 USD per academic year for Santa Clara University.

This school uses standardized test scores for admission.

According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Santa Clara University is 43%.

The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Santa Clara University is 93.6%.

Contact Information

Santa Clara University,

500 El Camino Real

Santa Clara, CA

95053

408 554-4000

School Website

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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