Santa Clara, CA · 6.6k students
Trajecta score
-3.7 since '20Ranked #89 of 2,375
5-year trend
69.9 · #74
2020
68.3 · #184
2021
67.0 · #220
2022
67.6 · #211
2023
66.2 · #269
2024
Academic Profile
64/ 100
Career Outcomes
93/ 100
Student Success
83/ 100
Affordability
38/ 100
Academic Investment
92/ 100
Access & Equity
21/ 100
Academic Profile
64
Career Outcomes
93
Student Success
83
Affordability
38
Academic Investment
92
Access & Equity
21
AI Fit Analysis
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See how your profile stacks up at Santa Clara University — predicted chances, program fit, and a personalized application strategy.
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Cost / Net Price
$82k / $50k
SAT Avg
1,426
Retention
94%
Grad Rate
88%
Admissions
Test Scores
Scores represent the midpoint of enrolled students, not a cutoff.
Finances
Tuition
In-State Tuition
$61,293
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$61,293
per year
Aid & Debt
Pell Grant Share
11%
undergraduates receiving Pell
Federal Loan Share
37%
students borrowing
Median Debt
among completers
$19,162
Admissions Factors
Self-reported by the school in its Common Data Set (section C7) — the school's own statement of which application factors matter in its admissions decisions.
3.72
average high school GPA of enrolled freshmen · 100% reporting
Source: Common Data Set 2024-2025, what Santa Clara University reports weighing in admissions.
| Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigor of secondary school record | Rigor of secondary school record: Very Important | |||
| Class rank | Class rank: Important | |||
| Academic GPA | Academic GPA: Very Important | |||
| Standardized test scores | Standardized test scores: Considered | |||
| Application essay | Application essay: Very Important | |||
| Recommendation(s) | Recommendation(s): Important | |||
| Interview | Interview: Not Considered | |||
| Extracurricular activities | Extracurricular activities: Very Important | |||
| Talent/ability | Talent/ability: Very Important | |||
| Character/personal qualities | Character/personal qualities: Very Important | |||
| First generation | First generation: Considered | |||
| Alumni/ae relation | Alumni/ae relation: Considered | |||
| Geographical residence | Geographical residence: Considered | |||
| State residency | State residency: Considered | |||
| Religious affiliation/commitment | Religious affiliation/commitment: Considered | |||
| Volunteer work | Volunteer work: Very Important | |||
| Work experience | Work experience: Very Important | |||
| Level of applicant's interest | Level of applicant's interest: Important |
Supplemental Essays · 2026-27
school's admissions site ↗Community and lived experience
Required150-300 wordsAt Santa Clara University, we value our diverse and inclusive community. Our campus learning environment is enriched by the lived experiences of people from different backgrounds. What people, places, events, or circumstances have shaped the individual you are today and how you could contribute to our community?
Ethical dilemma and an SCU education
Required150-300 wordsAt Santa Clara University, we push our students to be creative, be challenged, and be the solution. Think about an ethical dilemma that you care about that our society is currently facing. This can be something happening in your local community or more globally. How can an SCU education help you prepare for and address this challenge?
Drafting these? Write them with AI feedback in Trajecta →
Methodology
The Trajecta Score (0–100) blends six dimensions of public college data into one comparable number, then nudges it by how much data each school reports. Selectivity tiers are separate — they’re based purely on a school’s admission rate.
Read the full methodologyMedian earnings 10 years out, earnings vs. a high-school grad, and loan repayment.
Admission selectivity and the incoming class’s SAT / ACT scores.
Average net price after aid and the typical debt of graduates.
Graduation rate and first-year retention.
Instructional spending and faculty salaries per student.
Share of Pell-grant students and reliance on federal loans.
Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and IPEDS. Figures are the most recent reported and may lag a year or two. This tool is read-only and not personalized — inside the Trajecta app, scores are tailored to your profile as a fit score.
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