SCU Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- Santa Clara, CA
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SCU Admission Overview
SCU admission requirements are competitive. Last year SCU admitted 48% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.67 GPA (A-) and SAT 1350-1490 / ACT 31-33. SCU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
SCU is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
SCU Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Average
Admission difficulty for Santa Clara University
Acceptance Rate
The SCU acceptance rate is 48%. Last year, 9,105 of 18,970 applicants were admitted. That is the 32nd lowest acceptance rate in California.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into SCU and can you get accepted?
SCU is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Santa Clara University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.67. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
SCU GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.67Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.67
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at SCU typically have around a 3.67 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. SCU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #32 in California for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
SCU Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Santa Clara University is test-optional for first-year admission for the 2027 term. Applicants are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores and are at no disadvantage in admission or merit scholarship review if they omit them. Students who want scores considered may self-report them in the application portal or send official reports from the testing agency. Santa Clara superscores across test dates. If you enroll after applying with scores, official reports that match your self-report are due by the deposit deadline.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.scu.edu/admission/undergraduate/first-year-students/test-optional/
SCU SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1350-1490Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
24%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 670
- Math 680
- Composite 1350
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 730
- Math 760
- Composite 1490
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at SCU typically score around a 1420 SAT (middle 50% 1350–1490) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 96th percentile nationally. SCU ranks #12 in the state of California and #86 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1350 to 1490
SAT policy
SCU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1420 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
SCU ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
31-33Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
10%25th Percentile Scores
- English N/A
- Math 29
- Composite 31
75th Percentile Scores
- English N/A
- Math 33
- Composite 33
Average ACT
Incoming testers at SCU typically have around a 32 ACT (mid-50 31–33) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 97th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. SCU places #11 among colleges in California and #62 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 31 to 33
ACT policy
You may apply to SCU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 32.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
72% of Santa Clara University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 35% are in the top ten percent.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the SCU chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Santa Clara University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 7, 2027Days left to Apply
129Applicants have 129 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 7, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Santa Clara University is $70.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
SCU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 48% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.67 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1350-1490); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Santa Clara University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=122931.
GPA calculator: Santa Clara University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026