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SANTA CLARA, Calif. December 18, 2025—Santa Clara University has released its first round of admission decisions for the Class of 2030. 12,150 students applied early this year, slightly more than last year’s record. Applicants came from more than 2,700 schools across 50 states and 76 countries, with 51% attending public high schools. The applicant pool was notably diverse, including nearly 1,600 first-generation college students and 41% who speak a second language.

“This is an exciting moment for these students and for Santa Clara,” said Santa Clara Dean of Undergraduate Admission Francine Davis. “In reading their applications, we saw not only academic strength but also compassion, creativity, and a desire to make a meaningful impact on their communities. We look forward to welcoming them to campus and helping them discover all the ways they can thrive here.”

Early Decision applicants are typically the most committed to Santa Clara University as their top choice and want to secure a spot early. Students admitted through Early Action have until May 1 to accept Santa Clara’s offer of admission, while students admitted through Early Decision I must confirm their enrollment by January 7.

A Strong Start to Admissions

With about 50% of applicants admitted, the accomplished and talented admitted students reflect the University’s ongoing commitment to making a Santa Clara education more accessible. 

Notable characteristics of admitted students include:

• 3.87 unweighted GPA, an increase from last year
• 51% from outside California
• More than 500 Pell-eligible students
• First cohort of College Track scholars
• 70 Cristo Rey students
• 10 Posse scholars

"We’re excited to reach this milestone and begin building the Class of 2030," said Vice President for Enrollment Management Eva Blanco Masias. "These emerging thinkers, innovators, and community leaders represent the next generation poised to shape the future, both here at Santa Clara University and in the greater world. We look forward to welcoming them into a community that challenges students to learn with purpose, engage deeply, and use their talents in service for the common good."

A Vibrant Mission Campus Awaits the Class of 2030 

• Santa Clara placed No. 59 among more than 400 national-level universities in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 "Best Colleges" edition and No. 23 nationally for Best Undergraduate Teaching. The publication also named Santa Clara one of the top 22  “Colleges With the Best Return on Investment” in the U.S.
• The University holds national rankings in notable publication lists, including No. 56 on TIME and Statista’s “Best Colleges for Future Leaders,” No. 65 on the “2026 Forbes’ List of America’s Top Colleges,” and No. 9 on Payscale’s “Best Universities for a Bachelor’s Degree.”
• Santa Clara’s Career Center once again ranked as a Top 20 Best Career Placement office among private schools by The Princeton Review.
• Santa Clara Athletics won the West Coast Conference Commissioner's Cup—an all-sports award presented at the end of each academic year to the league's top-performing school in conference play.
• Recognized as a "Dream School” by higher education expert and New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Selingo.

The Santa Clara University community looks forward to welcoming newly admitted students with upcoming events and engagements. 

Students who still wish to apply to the University through Early Decision II or Regular Decision admissions may do so until January 7th. These decision results are expected to be announced later in the spring. For transfer students, April 15th marks the rolling admission deadline, and those applying from a California community college will have their application fee waived. There will also be several direct admission events for transfer students to receive a decision on the spot during an in-person interview. The first of these events will be held on Friday, January 23.

About Santa Clara University

Founded in 1851, Santa Clara University sits in the heart of Silicon Valley—the world’s most innovative and entrepreneurial region. The University’s stunningly landscaped 106-acre campus is home to the historic Mission Santa Clara de Asís. Ranked among the top 15 percent of national universities by U.S. News & World Report, SCU has among the best four-year graduation rates in the nation and is rated by PayScale in the top 1 percent of universities with the highest-paid graduates. SCU has produced elite levels of Fulbright Scholars as well as four Rhodes Scholars. With undergraduate programs in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, and graduate programs in six disciplines, the curriculum blends high-tech innovation with social consciousness grounded in the tradition of Jesuit, Catholic education. For more information, visit scu.edu.

Media Contact
Lisa Robinson | SCU Media Communications | lrobinson2@scu.edu | 408-554-4982