Getting in
For Fall 2025, 20,032 first-year students applied to Santa Clara, 9,592 were admitted and 1,641 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 47.9%.
Source: SCU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state | 10,205 | 4,923 | 48.2% |
| Out-of-state | 7,213 | 3,921 | 54.4% |
| International | 2,604 | 745 | 28.6% |
Source: SCU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. SCU's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the whole university, with no rate by school or major.
Source: SCU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early decision. The Common Data Set gives one count for both early decision rounds together. It gives no early action counts.
Early decision, Fall 2025
| Plan | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I and II | 611 | 467 | 76.4% |
Source: SCU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C21. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
You apply to one of SCU's three schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Leavey School of Business or the School of Engineering. SCU says selectivity does not vary much between them, but your readiness for the program you choose is weighed:
- Leavey School of Business. Readiness at the level of calculus is expected.
- School of Engineering. Readiness at the level of calculus is expected.
- College of Arts and Sciences, natural sciences. Readiness at the level of calculus is expected.
Once you choose a school, you can declare a major or stay undeclared.
Source: SCU Admission, First-Year Students (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
52 majors across 3 schools. Every bachelor's degree major in Santa Clara's official Undergraduate Bulletin 2026-27, grouped by the school that offers it, with the degree it leads to. Minors and graduate programs are left out.
College of Arts and Sciences35
For natural science applicants, readiness at the level of calculus is expected.
Source: SCU Admission, First-Year Students (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Anthropology (BS)
- Art History (BA)
- Biochemistry (BS)
- Biology (BS)
- Chemistry (BA)
- Chemistry (BS)
- Child Studies (BS)
- Classics and Ancient Studies (BA)
- Communication (BA)
- Computer Science (BS)
- Economics (BS)
- Engineering Physics (BS)
- English (BA)
- Environmental Science (BS)
- Environmental Studies (BS)
- Ethnic Studies (BS)
- French and Francophone Studies (BA)
- Gender and Sexuality Studies (BA)
- History (BA)
- Individual Studies (BA)
- Individual Studies (BS)
- Italian Studies (BA)
- Mathematics (BS)
- Music (BA)
- Neuroscience (BS)
- Philosophy (BA)
- Physics (BS)
- Political Science (BS)
- Psychology (BS)
- Public Health Science (BS)
- Religious Studies (BA)
- Sociology (BS)
- Spanish Studies (BA)
- Studio Art (BA)
- Theatre Arts (BA)
Source: SCU Undergraduate Bulletin 2026-27, College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Degrees (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Leavey School of Business9
For applicants, readiness at the level of calculus is expected.
Source: SCU Admission, First-Year Students (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Accounting (BS in Commerce)
- Accounting and Information Systems (BS in Commerce)
- Business Analytics (BS in Commerce)
- Economics (BS in Commerce)
- Finance (BS in Commerce)
- Individual Studies (BS in Commerce)
- Management (BS in Commerce)
- Management Information Systems (BS in Commerce)
- Marketing (BS in Commerce)
Source: SCU Undergraduate Bulletin 2026-27, Leavey School of Business, Undergraduate Degrees (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
School of Engineering8
For applicants, readiness at the level of calculus is expected.
Source: SCU Admission, First-Year Students (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Bioengineering (BS)
- Civil Engineering (BS)
- Computer Science and Engineering (BS)
- Electrical Engineering (BS)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering (BS)
- General Engineering (BS)
- Mechanical Engineering (BS)
- Web Design and Engineering (BS)
Source: SCU Undergraduate Bulletin 2026-27, School of Engineering, Undergraduate Degrees (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | November 1 | Late December | Yes |
| Early Action | November 1 | Late December | No |
| Early Decision II | January 7 | Mid-February | Yes |
| Regular Decision | January 7 | Late March | No |
The enrollment deposit is due January 7 for Early Decision I, March 1 for Early Decision II and May 1 for Early Action and Regular Decision.
Source: SCU Admission, First-Year Key Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early Decision I and II are binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll in the term you applied for, and gap year requests are not considered. You may not apply early decision anywhere else. You may apply to other early action programs, but you must promptly withdraw those applications if SCU admits you. Early Action is not binding. Applicants denied in any early round are not reconsidered in Regular Decision.
Source: SCU Admission, Early or Regular Decision (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
SCU is test-optional for the 2027 term: the SAT and ACT are not required, and you choose on the Common App whether your scores are considered. If you send scores, they are read; if you do not, you are at no disadvantage in admission or merit scholarship review.
Source: SCU Admission, Test Optional (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set agrees: it marks the SAT or ACT as not required for fall 2027 applicants but considered if submitted.
Source: SCU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
- Testing. SCU has not set its test policy for fall 2028 entry yet: it says it is still reviewing the test-optional policy for future years.
Source: SCU Admission, Test Optional (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
We found nothing else announced for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: SCU Admission, First-Year Key Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at Santa Clara, 2026-2027:
| Tuition | $64,956 |
|---|---|
| Student engagement and well-being fee | $780 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $20,094 |
| Books and supplies | $1,305 |
| Transportation | $1,386 |
| Personal and miscellaneous expenses | $3,969 |
| Loan fees | $66 |
| Total | $92,556 |
For a student living on campus. SCU's budget is $99,030 living off campus and $85,413 living at home.
Source: SCU Financial Aid, Cost of Attendance (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $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 incomes | $50,062 |
What first-year, full-time students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from SCU's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to Santa Clara University on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA · Private48.2% admitted$48,381 average net price
University of San DiegoSan Diego, CA · Private53.6% admitted$30,365 average net price
University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA · Private61.7% admitted$41,431 average net price
Brandeis UniversityWaltham, MA · Private45.4% admitted$35,736 average net price
George Washington UniversityWashington, DC · Private47.1% admitted$36,586 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.