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Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA·Private·~48% acceptance

Santa Clara University is a private university in Santa Clara, CA. It admits about 48% of applicants. Students pay an average net price of about $50,062 per year after financial aid. About 88% of students graduate, and alumni earn a median of about $109,183 ten years after enrolling.

Average cost
$50,062/yr avg net price after aid
Full cost $82,026
Aid cuts ~$31,964/yr on average

Average across all aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual price depends on your family's income. Take the free Matchmaker for an estimate based on your numbers.

Deadlines
ED
Nov 1
EA
Nov 1
RD
Jan 7

ED, EA and RD not confirmed with the college yet. Check their site before you rely on it.

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Your fit

Blueprint scores how well Santa Clara University matches your grades, budget, and preferences. New to Blueprint? Start with the Discovery quiz to find your best-fit majors first.

Admissions
GPA range3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)1350–1490
ACT (middle 50%)31–33
Test policyTest optional
Programs
Computer Science
Data Science / Statistics
Information Systems / IT
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Environmental Science
Outcomes
88%
graduation rate
94%
freshman retention
$91,198
median earnings, 6yr
$109,183
median earnings, 10yr
How Santa Clara reads an application

What Santa Clara values

Very important
Course rigorGrades (GPA)Application essaysExtracurricularsTalent / abilityCharacter / personal qualitiesVolunteer workWork experience
Important
Class rankRecommendationsDemonstrated interest
Also considered
Test scoresFirst-generation statusAlumni relation (legacy)Geographic residenceState residencyReligious commitment

From Santa Clara’s Common Data Set. Put your effort where it counts most.

What Santa Clara requires

Required
Grades (GPA)Course rigorCollege-prep programRecommendationsApplication essaysTOEFL / English proficiency
Considered
Class rankTest scoresWork experienceAlumni relation (legacy)

From federal IPEDS data — what Santa Clara requires vs considers (not how heavily each is weighed).

Frequently asked questions
What is Santa Clara University's acceptance rate?
Santa Clara University admits about 48% of applicants.
How much does Santa Clara University cost?
At Santa Clara University, the average net price after aid is about $50,062 per year, and the full cost of attendance is about $82,026 per year before aid. Your actual price depends on your family's income. Take Blueprint's free Matchmaker for an estimate based on your numbers.
What SAT or ACT scores do you need for Santa Clara University?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1350–1490 on the SAT and 31–33 on the ACT.
What are Santa Clara University's application deadlines?
Santa Clara University's deadlines are Early Decision around Nov 1, Early Action around Nov 1, Regular Decision around Jan 7. Always confirm exact dates on the school's official site.
What does Santa Clara University value most in applicants?
In its most recent Common Data Set, Santa Clara University rates Course rigor, Grades (GPA), Application essays, Extracurriculars, Talent / ability, Character / personal qualities, Volunteer work, and Work experience as "very important" in admissions decisions, and also weighs Class rank, Recommendations, and Demonstrated interest. Take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see how your profile lines up.

See if Santa Clara University is a fit for you

Two free steps: find your best-fit majors with the Discovery quiz, then run the College Matchmaker for your real admission odds and net price at Santa Clara University, side by side with your other schools.