Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, California · Private
Santa Clara University admitted 48% of 20,032 applicants (Common Data Set 2025-2026). First-year students who sent the SAT scored 1330–1470 in the middle half. Test scores are optional. 88% of students graduate within six years.
Your chances at Santa Clara University
Enter a score to see whether Santa Clara University is a reach, target or likely school for you.
Based on the admit rate (48%) alone. Add a score for a sharper read.
A rough read from the admit rate and test scores only. Grades, courses, essays and activities matter as much or more. To see your whole list at once, use the chances calculator.
Application deadlines
Santa Clara University’s first-year deadlines for 2026–27 on the Common App:
- Early decision
- November 1, 2026
- Early decision II
- January 7, 2027
- Early action
- November 1, 2026
- Regular decision
- January 7, 2027
The application fee is $75, and Santa Clara University accepts the Common App fee waiver. Santa Clara University asks for the Common App personal essay, one teacher recommendation, and a midyear report from your school. For financial aid it uses the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.
Deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone. From Common App’s requirements grid, updated September 25, 2026. Check Santa Clara University’s admissions site before you submit. See every college’s deadlines or early decision vs. early action.
Early decision and early action
Early decision applicants were admitted at 76% (467 of 611), compared with 48% for all applicants.
Santa Clara University offers early action but didn’t report its early admit rate.
Early applicants often include recruited athletes and students with stronger applications, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps one student.
405 students were offered a spot on the waitlist, 268 took it, and 263 were admitted from it.
High school GPA
First-year students averaged a 3.72 GPA. 47% of those who reported a class rank were in the top 10% of their class.
Some colleges report weighted GPAs, so compare loosely.
What it costs
Full price with housing is $83,142 a year. After grants, students paid $49,651 on average.
Average price after grants, by family income:
Quick answers
What is Santa Clara University’s acceptance rate?
Santa Clara University admitted 48% of applicants: 9,592 of 20,032 (Common Data Set 2025-2026).
When is Santa Clara University’s early decision deadline?
For 2026–27, early decision is due November 1, 2026, early decision II is due January 7, 2027, early action is due November 1, 2026, and regular decision is due January 7, 2027. Common App deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone.
What SAT score do you need for Santa Clara University?
The middle half of admitted students who sent the SAT scored 1330 to 1470, with a median around 1410. A score at or above 1410 puts you in the top half of admitted students who sent one.
How much is Santa Clara University’s application fee?
The application fee is $75 for 2026–27, and Santa Clara University accepts the Common App fee waiver.
What does Santa Clara University require?
Besides the application and transcript, Santa Clara University asks for the Common App personal essay, one teacher recommendation, and a midyear report from your school.
Does Santa Clara University have supplemental essays?
Yes. For 2026–27, Santa Clara University asks 1 question of its own on top of the main essay (one short answer, 25–50 words). Its supplemental essays page lists each one word for word with the word limit.
Does Santa Clara University require the CSS Profile?
Yes. Santa Clara University uses the CSS Profile for financial aid, along with the FAFSA, and it may ask a noncustodial parent to fill one out too.
Not sure which colleges fit?
A Clarity Prep mentor builds a balanced list with your student and checks in every week until it’s done.
Writing your essays? See Santa Clara University’s supplemental essays and get a free essay review.