Santa Clara University Admission
Acceptance Rate
48.00%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)
17.69%
Freshmen Enrollment
1,611
SAT Scores
1,420
For the 2024-2025 admission, a total of 18,970 students have applied and 9,105 students have allowed to admit to Santa Clara University (Acceptance rate: 48.00%). SCU's yield, also known as enrollment rate, is 17.69 % where 1,611 students have finally enrolled out of 9,105 admitted students.
SCU acceptance rate is lower (tighter to admit) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California. Compared to similar schools in rankings such as Vanderbilt University and Rice University, its acceptance rate is much higher (very easy to get in) (the average acceptance rate of the schools is 9.77%).
SCU enrollment rate (yield) is lower (less admitted-students enrolled) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California. Compared to similar schools in rankings, its yield is much higher (highly eager to enroll) (average yield is 51.81%).
How to Apply to Santa Clara University
The following table summarizes the contact and directory information to apply SCU. SCU offers benefits for veterans, service member, or qualified family members. You may need to prepare certificate of eligibility (COE ) from the Veterans Affairs .
| Admission | www.scu.edu/admission |
|---|---|
| Online Application | www.commonapp.org/ |
| Financial Aid | www.scu.edu/financialaid |
| Net Price Calculator | https://www.scu.edu/financialaid/Net-Price-Calculator.cfm |
| Veterans Tuition | www.scu.edu/financialaid/financial-aid-basics/selective-service-and-veteran-benefits/ |
| Athletic | www.scu.edu/student-right-to-know-act/ |
| Disability Service | www.scu.edu/oae/ |
Admission Statistics Charts
The following chart visualizes the admission statistics at SCU and compares to similar schools by type, level and location.
*Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Test Scores Comparison
In 2025, the average SAT score at Santa Clara University is 1,420 and the average ACT score is 32. Compared to similar schools in college rankings, the admission score of Santa Clara University is comparable to the schools (average score is 1,530). You can check and compare the SAT and ACT scores by subject with tables and charts.
| SAT Average | ACT Average | |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | 1,420 | 32 |
| Similarly Colleges in Rankings | 1,530 | 34 |
| All U.S. Colleges | 1,123 | 68 |
| Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges | 1,132 | 69 |
| 4-Years Colleges | 1,124 | 68 |
| Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California | 1,178 | 75 |
SAT/ACT Scores by Subject
At Santa Clara University, 385 students submitted SAT scores (24% of enrolled students).
The average SAT score is about 1,420 and it is extremely competitive scores than average for Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California. The following table shows the SAT average scores by subject and 25th/75th percentile.
| 25th percentile | 50th percentile (Median) | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 670 | 700 | 730 |
| Mathematics | 680 | 720 | 760 |
| Total | 1,350 | 1,420 | 1,490 |
*Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)(Last update: June 5, 2025)
At Santa Clara University, 154 students submitted ACT scores (10% of enrolled students).
The average ACT score is about 32 and it is lower than average for Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California. The next table shows the ACT average scores by subject and 25th/75th percentile.
| 25th percentile | 50th percentile (Median) | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 31 | 32 | 33 |
| English | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mathematics | 29 | 31 | 33 |
SCU Admission Requirements
The following table summarizes the admission requirement to apply to Santa Clara University. The school requires 6 items to submit - Secondary school GPA, Secondary school record, Completion of college-preparatory program, Recommendations, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), and Legacy status.
2 items are Considered if submitted - Secondary school rank, and Admission test scores.
| Secondary school GPA | Required |
| Secondary school rank | Considered, if submitted |
| Secondary school record | Required |
| Completion of college-preparatory program | Required |
| Recommendations | Required |
| Formal demonstration of competencies | Not Considered |
| Admission test scores | Considered, if submitted |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | Required |
| Work experience | Not Considered |
| Personal statement or essay | Not Considered |
| Legacy status | Required |