California · College profile
Santa Clara University: SAT & ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate and Costs
Santa Clara University is a private nonprofit four-year university in Santa Clara, California, enrolling about 6,552 undergraduates. It admits roughly 48% of applicants, which makes it moderately selective relative to four-year colleges nationally.
SAT and ACT scores at Santa Clara University
| Measure | Score |
|---|---|
| SAT 25th percentile | 1350 |
| SAT 75th percentile | 1490 |
| SAT midpoint (estimated) | 1420 |
| ACT 25th percentile | 31 |
| ACT 75th percentile | 33 |
| ACT midpoint (estimated) | 32 |
A quarter of enrolled students scored below 1350 and a quarter scored above 1490. Treat 1490 as the target that makes your score a clear strength in this applicant pool, and 1350 as the point below which the rest of your application has to carry more weight.
The two ranges describe the same class, so submit whichever test places you higher in its own range — an ACT 33 and an SAT 1490 are read as equivalent here.
Admissions and selectivity
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 48.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 6,552 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 11:1 |
| Setting | City |
| Control | Private Nonprofit |
Cost and financial aid
| Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition and fees | $61,293 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $61,293 |
| Room and board | $19,893 |
| Average net price (first-year students) | $50,062 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 11.3% |
| Students taking federal loans | 37.4% |
| Median federal loan debt at graduation | $16,845 |
Net price is the number that matters: $50,062 is what a typical first-year student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price. Run the college's own net price calculator with your family's numbers before ruling it out on cost.
Graduation and earnings outcomes
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Graduation rate (6-year) | 87.9% |
| First-year retention | 93.9% |
| Median earnings 10 years after entry | $109,183 |
| Students who are first-generation | 16.5% |
Most popular majors
- Business & marketing — 27% of bachelor's degrees
- Engineering — 15% of bachelor's degrees
- Social sciences — 11% of bachelor's degrees
- Communication — 8% of bachelor's degrees
Shares are of bachelor's degrees awarded, so a concentrated list usually signals a college known for those programs.
How your score compares
Take a free adaptive practice test on FunSAT, get an unofficial score estimate, and see exactly where you land inside Santa Clara University's reported range alongside the rest of your college list.
Start a free practice test →Frequently asked questions
What SAT score do you need for Santa Clara University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Santa Clara University scored between 1350 and 1490 on the SAT. A score at or above 1490 puts you in the top quarter of admitted students; below 1350 the rest of your application carries more weight.
What ACT score do you need for Santa Clara University?
The middle 50% ACT range at Santa Clara University is 31 to 33. Aim for 33 to make the score a clear strength.
What is the acceptance rate at Santa Clara University?
Santa Clara University admits about 48.0% of applicants according to the most recent U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data.
How much does Santa Clara University cost?
Published tuition and fees are $61,293 in-state and $61,293 out-of-state, but the average first-year student pays a net price of $50,062 after grant aid.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most-Recent-Cohorts-Institution. May 2026 release (file published 2026-05-26). Score ranges and costs are reported by the institution to the U.S. Department of Education and can lag the current admissions cycle by a year or more.
FunSAT is a free browser-based SAT and ACT prep app: digital SAT and ACT practice tests, unofficial score calculators, a built-in graphing calculator, college admissions chances from official U.S. Department of Education data, and a scholarship search. Start free practice →