Santa Clara, California · Private · 6,552 undergrads
Santa Clara University admitted 48% of applicants for fall 2025 (9,592 of 20,032, Common Data Set 2025-26). Santa Clara University admitted 76% of early decision applicants (467 of 611). The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent SAT scores had 1330–1470.
The numbers
Applied
20,032
fall 2025
ACT, middle 50%
29–33
enrolled first-years
Average GPA
3.72
enrolled first-years
Accept their offer
18%
of admitted students enroll
Application fee
$70
waivers exist
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Can I get into Santa Clara University?
48% of applicants get in
Competitive: your grades and the classes you took matter most. The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent scores had 1330–1470 on the SAT.
Likely: even the low end of our estimate is 60% or more, and the college admits at least 25% of applicants. Target: our estimate is 30% or more. Reach: our estimate is under 30%, or the college admits under 15%. Long shot: our estimate is under 12%, or the college admits under 12%. Estimates use the college's admit rate and score range plus your grades and scores. They are not a promise.
20,032 applied, 9,592 admitted, fall 2025 (Common Data Set).
Does Santa Clara University need the SAT or ACT?Not checked yet
Not sure yet
We haven't checked Santa Clara University's fall 2027 rule yet. Santa Clara University didn't require scores for fall 2024 (federal data). We haven't checked fall 2027 yet, so confirm on its site.
405 students were offered a wait-list spot and 268 took one. 263 of them got in (98%).
Common Data Set, fall 2025.
Questions people ask
What is Santa Clara University's acceptance rate?
Santa Clara University admitted 48% of applicants for fall 2025 (9,592 of 20,032, Common Data Set 2025-26).
What SAT score do you need for Santa Clara University?
The middle half of enrolled first-years who sent SAT scores had 1330–1470. A quarter of them scored higher and a quarter lower, so it's a typical range, not a cutoff (Common Data Set, fall 2025).
Is it easier to get into Santa Clara University early decision?
For fall 2025, 467 of 611 early decision applicants got in (76%), against 48% overall. Early decision is binding: if you get in, you go. Early applicants often include recruited athletes and legacies, so the gap overstates the advantage for most students.
Where these numbers come from
Admit rate and applicants: Common Data Set, fall 2025 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
GPA, early rounds and wait list: Common Data Set, fall 2025 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
Cost, pay and debt: College Scorecard, 2024-25 (checked Oct 31, 2026)
