College Profiles/ Santa Clara University
College Profile · Fall 2027 Entry
Santa Clara University Admissions: Acceptance Rate, Cost, Financial Aid and Deadlines
Santa Clara, CA · 6,552 undergraduates. Everything families need to apply to Santa Clara University for fall 2027, verified against the school’s own Common Data Set, cost of attendance and admissions pages, with ConnectPrep’s strategic read.
By Jeremy Fine, Founder of ConnectPrep
Updated October 11, 2026 · Data verified against official sources
✓ Every figure cited
Quick answer
Santa Clara University admitted 48.0% of first-year applicants.[1] The 2026-2027 cost of attendance is $92,556.[2] For fall 2027 entry, deadlines are Early Decision I Nov 1, Early Decision II Jan 7, Early Action Nov 1, Regular Decision Jan 7.[3]
48.0%
Overall admit rate[1]
31 to 33
Middle 50% ACT[1]
$92,556
Cost of attendance, 2026-2027[2]
87.9%
Six-year graduation rate[1]
Santa Clara University at a Glance
- Location
- Santa Clara, CA
- Type
- Private nonprofit
- Student to faculty ratio
- 11:1[1]
- Endowment
- $1.6 billion (federal data)[1]
- SAT/ACT, fall 2027
- Optional[3]
- Application
- Common App[3]
- First-year retention
- 93.9%[1]
The ConnectPrep Take on Santa Clara University
The ConnectPrep take
Santa Clara states the order of its review: academic performance and challenging coursework first, then the applicant's potential to contribute to campus. It also considers demonstrated interest and requires at least one academic teacher letter. Students are admitted to a specific school, sometimes a major, based on their stated preference. Federal data shows a 48.0% admit rate. Binding ED I and nonbinding EA close Nov 1, with ED II and Regular Decision on Jan 7. Testing is optional; federal data puts the middle 50% ACT at 31 to 33, so we advise submitting at 32 or above and aiming for 33. Federal data also shows median earnings of $109,183 ten years after entry. The biggest mistake is applying Jan 7: Johnson Scholars finalists come only from the EA and ED I pools.
What to do this fall
- Apply EA or ED I by Nov 1 to stay eligible for the full-tuition Johnson Scholars Program.
- Show demonstrated interest through real contact with the university, since Santa Clara says it considers it.
- Choose the school preference deliberately; internal transfer opens only at the end of first year.
- File the CSS Profile by Nov 15 for ED I or EA to be considered for the full range of aid.
Applying to Santa Clara University? Get a free strategy session. We map your student’s round, testing plan, essays and every scholarship deadline for this school.
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Santa Clara University Admissions Statistics
Testing and academic profile
| Academic profile of enrolled first-years |
Middle 50% or share |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing[1] |
670 to 730 |
| SAT Math[1] |
680 to 760 |
| ACT composite[1] |
31 to 33 |
The admit rate and test score ranges on this page come from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, which reports an earlier entering class than the school’s newest Common Data Set.[1]
ConnectPrep score target
Aim for 730 in Reading and Writing and 760 in Math, the 75th percentile for each section here, or 33 on the ACT. A higher score is always better, and the test can be retaken. Not there yet? Take a free practice test and we will build the plan to close the gap.
What Santa Clara University looks for
In its own words: Santa Clara first assesses academic performance and potential, including the overall quality of high school courses and appropriately challenging coursework, and only after that considers an applicant's potential to contribute to the campus community. The admissions office also says it considers demonstrated interest and requires at least one letter from an academic teacher. and.[4][5]
Santa Clara University Application Deadlines 2026-2027
| Round |
Deadline |
Decision |
| Early Decision I |
Nov 1 |
ED I late Dec; ED II mid-Feb |
| Early Decision II |
Jan 7 |
|
| Early Action |
Nov 1 |
late Dec |
| Regular Decision |
Jan 7 |
late Mar |
Insider deadlines families miss
These scholarship, honors, program, interview and aid deadlines come from Santa Clara University’s own pages. Anything tagged Before RD is due before the Regular Decision deadline.
| Program or rule |
Deadline |
What to know |
Johnson Scholars Program
Before RD |
Nov 1 (EA or ED I required) |
Finalists are selected only from the EA and ED I University Honors Program applicant pool, so RD and ED II applicants are excluded; full tuition award. Date from 2024-25 page; selection day was mid-March.[6] |
| University Honors Program |
See note |
Separate application with a short essay and video response opens after admission decisions are released (from 2024-25 page).[7] |
| Presidential, Provost and Dean's merit scholarships |
See note |
Automatic with admission application; awarded to the top 10 to 15 percent of admits. SCU does not offer admission interviews.[5] |
| CSS Profile |
Nov 15 (ED I, EA); Jan 15 (ED II); Feb 1 (RD) |
CSS Profile is required to be considered for the full range of SCU scholarships and grants.[8] |
See how Santa Clara University compares with other colleges in the West deadlines database or the full 2026-2027 college application deadlines hub.
Santa Clara University Cost and Financial Aid
| Cost and aid |
Figure |
| Cost of attendance (2026-2027)[2] |
$92,556 |
| Tuition[2] |
$64,956 |
Undergraduate student living on campus.[2]
What families actually pay: net price by income
Net price is the full cost of attendance minus the average grants and scholarships for first-year students receiving aid, by family income. It comes from federal data, which runs a year or two behind the school’s current cost figures.[1]
| Family income |
Average net price per year |
| $0 to $30,000 |
$22,985 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 |
$19,154 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 |
$26,531 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 |
$37,219 |
| Over $110,000 |
$60,678 |
| All aided students |
$50,062 |
Academics and Majors at Santa Clara University
Signature programs
Johnson Scholars Program
A selective scholarship covering full tuition, with additional costs met based on need, chosen by a committee.[5]
LEAD Scholars Program
A program for first-generation students whose parents did not graduate from a four-year college, offering access to additional campus funding resources, LEAD Week and orientation.[5]
Leavey School of Business
Santa Clara's undergraduate business school, one of the schools first-year students are admitted into based on the preference on their application.[4]
School of Engineering
An undergraduate engineering school that admits first-year students directly, with programs such as Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering.[4]
Choosing a major and getting in
First-year students are admitted to the university and to a specific school, and in some cases a major, based on the preference indicated on their application. Students who want to change schools may apply for an internal transfer at the end of their first year.[4]
Special admission paths
- Early Decision I (November 1, binding).[4]
- Early Action (November 1, non-binding).[4]
- Early Decision II (January 7, binding).[4]
- Johnson Scholars full-tuition scholarship.[4]
- LEAD Scholars Program for first-generation students.[4]
Santa Clara University Retention and Graduation Rates
| Outcome |
Figure |
| First-year students who returned for sophomore year[1] |
93.9% |
| Graduated within six years[1] |
87.9% |
| Median earnings 10 years after starting college[1] |
$109,183 |
| Median federal loan debt of graduates[1] |
$19,162 |
| Undergraduates receiving Pell Grants[1] |
11% |
Make Santa Clara University a realistic goal
ConnectPrep builds the full plan: the right round, a score target and test schedule, essays that sound like your student, and every scholarship and program deadline on one calendar. Start with a free consultation or a free practice test.
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Santa Clara University FAQs
What is the Santa Clara University acceptance rate?
Santa Clara University admitted 48.0% of first-year applicants.
When are the Santa Clara University application deadlines for 2026-27?
For students entering in fall 2027: Early Decision I Nov 1; Early Decision II Jan 7; Early Action Nov 1; Regular Decision Jan 7. 1 scholarship, honors or program deadlines come before Regular Decision; see the insider deadlines table on this page.
How much does Santa Clara University cost?
The 2026-2027 cost of attendance is $92,556.
What does Santa Clara cost for a family earning under $75,000?
The 2026-2027 cost of attendance is $92,556 for a student living on campus. Federal data shows an average net price of $26,531 for families earning $48,001 to $75,000 and $19,154 for families earning $30,001 to $48,000. The CSS Profile is required for the full range of Santa Clara scholarships and grants.
Does Santa Clara offer merit scholarships?
Yes. Presidential, Provost and Dean's scholarships are automatic with the admission application and go to the top 10 to 15 percent of admits. The Johnson Scholars Program covers full tuition, with other costs met based on need, and finalists are selected only from EA and ED I applicants to the University Honors Program.
About the author
Jeremy Fine
Jeremy Fine founded ConnectPrep in 2013 and brings more than 20 years of experience in education, spanning test preparation, college advising and academic program management. He holds a BA from Washington University in St. Louis and an MPA from the University of Pittsburgh.
ConnectPrep is based in Westport, Connecticut, and works with students from kindergarten through graduate school, in person and online. Meet the team.
This profile is an independent ConnectPrep resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Santa Clara University. Figures come from the sources listed above as published when checked in October 2026; the Common Data Set year is noted where used. Policies and costs change, so confirm with the school before applying.
