The average acceptance rate at SCU over the past 10 years is 49.81%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 48.00%. Compared to the previous year, it became easier to gain admission to SCU in 2025.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 17.41%, and the 2025 yield is 17.69%. Overall, the yield has increased by 2.01% from 2015 to 2025.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 48.00%, demonstrating consistent admission standards over the past decade. The stability of this rate suggests that SCU maintains a predictable and steady admissions environment for prospective students.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 17.69%. This stable yield rate reflects consistent conversion of admissions offers into actual enrollments at SCU. The stability indicates predictable enrollment outcomes and sustainable admission practices.
For the 2025 admission cycle, SCU received approximately 18,970 applications, admitted 9,105 students, and enrolled 1,611 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that SCU is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.
SCU 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at SCU over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 49.81%, while the most recent rate stands at 48.00%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 48.00%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 46.85% and for women is 52.44%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at SCU have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 48.80% | 45.66% | 51.52% |
| 2016-17 | 48.30% -0.49% |
45.77% 0.10% |
50.51% -1.00% |
| 2017-18 | 53.56% 5.26% |
51.60% 5.83% |
55.34% 4.83% |
| 2018-19 | 49.91% -3.65% |
47.48% -4.12% |
52.16% -3.18% |
| 2019-20 | 48.82% -1.09% |
46.68% -0.80% |
50.75% -1.41% |
| 2020-21 | 50.72% 1.89% |
49.20% 2.52% |
52.13% 1.37% |
| 2021-22 | 54.00% 3.28% |
50.01% 0.81% |
57.00% 4.88% |
| 2022-23 | 52.11% -1.89% |
47.47% -2.54% |
56.58% -0.42% |
| 2023-24 | 43.84% -8.27% |
40.15% -7.32% |
47.30% -9.28% |
| 2024-25 | 48.00% 4.16% |
44.52% 4.37% |
51.09% 3.78% |
| Average | 49.81% | 46.85% | 52.44% |
SCU has demonstrated an improvement in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has increased from 17.35% in 2015 to 17.69% in 2025, representing a 2.01% increase. The 10-year average yield stands at 17.41%, reflecting strengthening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at SCU from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has increased by 2.01% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 17.35% | 20.77% | 14.71% |
| 2016-17 | 17.22% -0.13% |
19.25% -1.52% |
15.62% 0.91% |
| 2017-18 | 17.40% 0.18% |
19.07% -0.18% |
16.00% 0.38% |
| 2018-19 | 17.16% -0.25% |
19.67% 0.60% |
15.05% -0.95% |
| 2019-20 | 17.48% 0.32% |
18.85% -0.81% |
16.34% 1.29% |
| 2020-21 | 15.06% -2.42% |
17.90% -0.95% |
12.56% -3.78% |
| 2021-22 | 17.00% 1.95% |
20.00% 2.09% |
14.99% 2.44% |
| 2022-23 | 18.91% 1.91% |
20.41% 0.41% |
17.70% 2.71% |
| 2023-24 | 18.79% -0.13% |
20.31% -0.10% |
17.57% -0.13% |
| 2024-25 | 17.69% -1.09% |
20.25% -0.06% |
15.71% -1.86% |
| Average | 17.41% | 19.65% | 15.62% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 16,614, the average number of admitted is 8,255, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 1,437.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Santa Clara University from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 14,899 | 7,270 | 1,261 |
| 2016-17 | 15,834 6.28% |
7,648 5.20% |
1,317 4.44% |
| 2017-18 | 15,061 -4.88% |
8,067 5.48% |
1,404 6.61% |
| 2018-19 | 16,242 7.84% |
8,107 0.50% |
1,391 -0.93% |
| 2019-20 | 16,300 0.36% |
7,958 -1.84% |
1,391 |
| 2020-21 | 16,488 1.15% |
8,362 5.08% |
1,259 -9.49% |
| 2021-22 | 16,848 2.18% |
9,098 8.80% |
1,547 22.88% |
| 2022-23 | 16,650 -1.18% |
8,677 -4.63% |
1,641 6.08% |
| 2023-24 | 18,843 13.17% |
8,261 -4.79% |
1,552 -5.42% |
| 2024-25 | 18,970 0.67% |
9,105 10.22% |
1,611 3.80% |
| Average | 16,614 | 8,255 | 1,437 |
The following table compares Santa Clara University' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | 43.84% | 48.00% | 9.49% |
| University of San Francisco | 61.71% | 50.77% | 21.55% |
| Pepperdine University | 62.86% | 49.85% | 26.10% |
| Saint Mary's College of California | 86.53% | 88.58% | -2.31% |
| Gonzaga University | 81.69% | 75.96% | 7.54% |
| Brigham Young University | 67.78% | 69.19% | -2.04% |
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