Santa Clara, CA Overview
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara University offers students unique opportunities to intern with leading tech companies. The Jesuit institution is known for its strong business and engineering programs. Notable alumni include California Governor Gavin Newsom.
There are currently 6,103 undergraduates at Santa Clara and the school’s acceptance rate is 52%. The tuition at Santa Clara is $57,534.
Santa Clara is a Roman Catholic school. That means that the administration is affiliated with the Roman Catholic faith. Classes may be designed with religious principles in mind, or some schools may even incorporate prayer into their schedule. Other schools with a religious affiliation may not be as active in their incorporation of the faith. It's a good idea to ask an admissions officer or current student what role faith has at Santa Clara to help you make an educated decision.
University
City
SupplementalEssay
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
6,103
Pell Grant 11%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 2%
Undergrad Students Over 25 1%
Percent Male / Female 52% / 48%
Ethnic Diversity at Santa Clara
40% White
21% Asian / Pacific Islander
18% Hispanic
10% Multiracial
6% International / Non-Citizen
3% Black
2% Unknown
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
12:1
Graduation Rate
89%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
28%
28% of graduates
Engineering
14%
14% of graduates
Social Sciences
12%
12% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
9%
9% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
9%
9% of graduates
Psychology
8%
8% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
7%
7% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
2%
2% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
2%
2% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
2%
2% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Family & Consumer Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$78,849
$34,716
$44,133
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$78,849for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at Santa Clara is $78,849. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Santa Clara would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Using State Grants at Santa Clara
If you reside in California and are considering Santa Clara, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more California scholarships
Santa Clara University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Santa Clara need to submit both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA), as well as the CSS Profile.
The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Santa Clara is 001326 and the CSS Profile Code is 4851.
It should be noted that while the FAFSA is free, the CSS Profile does require an application fee. However, students can qualify for a CSS Profile application fee waiver if the cost will present a financial hardship for the students’ family.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA or the CSS Profile, check out these resources:
National Merit Scholarships
If you scored exceptionally high on the PSAT/NMSQT, you may have been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Did you know that this distinction could earn you a scholarship at Santa Clara University? Santa Clara offers scholarship money to National Merit Scholarship Finalists, although terms may vary. Some schools require you to list them as your first choice in order to receive the benefit, and others may impose additional need-based or academic requirements. Be sure to check Santa Clara's website for more information!
Pell Grants at Santa Clara University
8% of students at Santa Clara University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Santa Clara University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Santa Clara students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions Snapshot
52%
32
Does Santa Clara have a supplemental essay?
Yes, applicants to Santa Clara University will have to write a supplemental essay in order to complete their application. Luckily, we have a guide to help you through that essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
Santa Clara Supplemental Essay Guide
Is Santa Clara test-optional?
Santa Clara University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Early Action
Early Decision I
Early Decision II
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Santa Clara?
Students must apply by January 7 to enroll at Santa Clara during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
At Santa Clara students also have the opportunity to apply Early Decision. In order to take advantage of this option, you’ll have to have your application in by November 1.
You can also choose to apply Early Decision II, with a later deadline of January 7.
And if you’re considering applying Early Action at Santa Clara, remember that the deadline is November 1.
Should I apply Regular or Early Decision to Santa Clara?
Applying to Santa Clara with Early Decision can be a great decision if you are 100% sure you want to go there. You’ll find out your admissions decision earlier than other students, and some data shows that you may help your admissions chances. However, you should keep in mind that Early Decision is binding. If you do get into the school, you won’t be able to change your mind later. If there is any doubt in your mind, you should apply Early Action or Regular Decision instead.
Read more: All you need to know about Early Action vs Early Decision
Should I apply Early Action at Santa Clara?
Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.
Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$109,183
Median Debt $19,162
Debt 10 years after graduation $203
Graduation Rate 89%
What is the graduation rate at Santa Clara University?
89% of students who start at Santa Clara University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 31% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Santa Clara University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Santa Clara University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $109,183. This is $58,792 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Santa Clara take out in loans?
Graduates of Santa Clara have to take out a median of $19,162 in federal student loans. This is $5,662 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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