At a Glance
Santa Clara University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Santa Clara, CA. Approximately 6,552 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 48% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 25 miles from campus. The school competes in NCAA Division I athletics. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 50/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Location
Santa Clara, CA
Campus Identity
Santa Clara University is a mid-size private nonprofit university in Santa Clara, CA. Approximately 6,552 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 48% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 25 miles from campus. The school competes in NCAA Division I athletics. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 50/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
Follow Along
Campus Lifestyle
Santa Clara University is a 5,000–9,999, urban school with NCAA D1 athletics. The campus is 25 miles from Tunitas Beach, CA and 123 miles from Dodge Ridge Ski Area.
Athletics
NCAA D1
West Coast
School Size & Setting
5,000–9,999
Urban setting
Beach Access
25 miles
Tunitas Beach, CA
Weather
Warm Climate
58°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
Santa Clara University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Dodge Ridge Ski Area, 123 miles away with 10 lifts and 862 skiable acres. All are within 128 miles of campus.
California
California
California
Nearest Beach
Students at Santa Clara University are 25 miles from Tunitas Beach, CA.
Tunitas Beach, CA
Ocean access within 25.4 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara has a mild climate, with winters averaging 51°F in Dec and summers peaking around 70°F in Aug.
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
Santa Clara University in CA earns a composite safety score of 50/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
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
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $61,293 |
| Fees | $636 |
| Room & Board | $19,893 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $81,822 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
83 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
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 enrolled.
How many students attend Santa Clara University?
Santa Clara University enrolls 6,552 undergraduates. That figure counts degree-seeking undergraduate students across all years, not just the incoming class, and it excludes graduate students. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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 2024-25 academic year, Santa Clara University charges $61,293/year in tuition. Including room and board ($19,893/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $55,860/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $50,062/year — what students actually pay. 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.
Is Santa Clara University a Division I (D1) school?
Yes. Santa Clara University is an NCAA Division I school, part of the West Coast. Division I is the top tier of NCAA athletics, home to the largest programs, athletic scholarships, and nationally televised 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), avg net price ($50,062/year after aid), campus culture in Santa Clara, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Santa Clara University against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Santa Clara University directly for the most current information.
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)