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Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA·Private·www.scu.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D1PhD Programs

Santa Clara University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Santa Clara, CA. Approximately 6,552 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 48% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 26 miles from campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 50/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

Santa Clara University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Santa Clara, CA. Approximately 6,552 students are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 48% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 26 miles from campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 50/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

48%
Acceptance Rate
18,970 applications
32
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 31–33
$55,224
In-State Tuition
+$636 fees
$55,224
Out-of-State Tuition
+$636 fees
$19,893
Room & Board
6,552
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
18%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
NCAA D1
Athletics
West Coast
Selectivity48% · Moderate
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

670700730

SAT Math

680720760

Campus Lifestyle

Athletics

NCAA D1

West Coast

School Size & Setting

5,000–9,999

Urban setting

Beach Access

26 miles

Aptos, CA

Ski Access

123 miles

Dodge Ridge Ski Area

Weather

Warm Climate

58°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

123 mi away
862 skiable acres10 lifts
Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area

California

128 mi away
88 skiable acres5 lifts

Nearest Beach

Aptos, CA

Ocean access within 25.7 miles

26 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Santa Clara, CA

51°Jan53°Feb56°Mar59°Apr63°May67°Jun70°Jul70°Aug69°Sep64°Oct56°Nov51°Dec

Station: SAN JOSE · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

50/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety515931
51/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
59/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
31/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$55,224
Fees
$636
Room & Board
$19,893
Total
$75,753
App Fee: $70

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

83 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Business Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's
266 grads/yr$195,995
Computer EngineeringMaster's
261 grads/yr$231,929
LawProfessional
231 grads/yr$148,599
Finance and Financial Management ServicesBachelor's
164 grads/yr$118,737
Communication and Media StudiesBachelor's
140 grads/yr$84,206

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Computer Engineering
Master's261 grads$231,929
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Master's grads$196,786
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's266 grads$195,995
Mechanical Engineering
Master's14 grads$170,120
Computer Engineering
Bachelor's83 grads$163,765
Management Information Systems and Services
Bachelor's42 grads$153,926
Law
Professional231 grads$148,599
Mathematics and Computer Science
Bachelor's103 grads$147,013
Accounting and Related Services
Bachelor's84 grads$130,087
Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor's36 grads$122,111

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Santa Clara University located?

Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, CA. The main campus address is 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at Santa Clara University?

Santa Clara University has an acceptance rate of 48%, making it selective. Out of 18,970 applicants, 9,105 were admitted in the most recent year. 6,552 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for Santa Clara University?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at Santa Clara University scored between 31 and 33 on the ACT, with a median of 32. About 10% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend Santa Clara University?

For the 2023–24 academic year, Santa Clara University charges $55,224/year in tuition. Including room and board ($19,893/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $55,860/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use Santa Clara University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for Santa Clara University?

The undergraduate application fee at Santa Clara University is $70. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does Santa Clara University have college sports?

Yes — Santa Clara University competes at the NCAA D1 level in the West Coast. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.

Is Santa Clara University the right fit for me?

Whether Santa Clara University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (48% admit rate), cost ($55,224/year out-of-state), campus culture in Santa Clara, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Santa Clara University against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Santa Clara University directly for the most current information.

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Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Santa Clara, CA
Size
5,000–9,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
NCAA
NCAA D1
Conference
West Coast
School Year Weather
Warm · 58°F avg
App Fee
$70
On Campus Safety Score
50/100
Nearest Airport
San Jose, CA (SJC) · 1 mialso NUQ (8 mi), PAO (13 mi)

Location

Santa Clara, CA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.