Santa Clara University Overview and Key Information

Total undergraduate enrollment

6,695

True or False: SCU has students from all 50 states

False

Percent of students who are male

50% male

Percent of students who are female

50% female

Percent of students from in-state

60% from CA

Percent of students from out of state

40% from out of state

Percent of students who are international

7%

SCU's first-year retention rate

93%

SCU's four-year graduation rate

81%

Percent of students identifying as Asian

22%

Percent of students identifying as Black/African American

5%

Percent of students identifying as Caucasian

36%

Percent of students identifying as Hispanic/Latino

21%

Percent of students identifying as Multiethnic

9%

Percent of students Not reported

2%

Percent of students identifying as Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian

Percent of students with an internship before graduation

74%

Student-to-faculty ratio at SCU

11:1

Average class size at SCU

23 students

Campus size (by acres)

106 acres

Santa Clara's graduate population

Approximately 3,128

Deadline for Early Decision I/Early Action

November 1st

Deadline for Regular Decision application

January 7th

Deadline for Early Decision II application

January 7th

Period for Fall admission for transfer students

January 7th-April 15th

Deadline for winter term transfer application

October 1st

Is the supplemental question required for first-year applicants?

No. Applicants only have to submit the mandatory Common Application essay. If they would still like to submit the supplemental question, they can do so through their SCU application portal

Location of the financial aid office

One Stop

Percent of students receiving financial aid for the 2024-25 school year

83%

CSS Profile requirement for applicants

True

What two forms for need-based aid?

FAFSA and CSS Profile

Do international students qualify for need-based aid?

No

Year SCU was founded

1851, founded by Fr. John Nobili

Year School of Engineering was added

1912

Year School of Business was added

1923

Year SCU first admitted women

1961, 1st Catholic College in California to admit women

What is the adobe wall?

Remnant of early mission, oldest structure on campus, dates back to 19th century (1822)

History of SCU's name

In 1851 Fr. John Nobili, S.J., named the university 'Santa Clara College'; In 1912, the name changed to 'The University of Santa Clara'; In 1985, our name changed to Santa Clara University

SCU's vision statement

Educating leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion to build a more just, humane, and sustainable world.

Year Jesuits were founded

1540, St. Ignatius of Loyola

Number of Jesuits in residence at SCU

26

What are ways Jesuits are active on campus?

Saying mass, teaching classes, and being involved in different centers such as the Bannan Institute or Ignatian Center

What are ways Jesuit Philosophy influences SCU education?

A holistic approach to education, emphasis on Social Justice and Ethics, Centers for Distinction, Study Abroad, Religion classes focused on discussion rather than doctrine

Percent of SCU students identifying as Catholic/Christian

50%

Events or resources based in Catholicism/Christianity on campus

Possible answers include: Confirmation, Marriages in the Mission, CLC, Younglife

Religious clubs on campus not affiliated with Catholicism or Christianity

Possible answers include: Jewish Student Union, Sikh Student Association, Muslim Student Association

What are some resources for non-Catholic/Christian students on campus?

Zen mindfulness meditation, Interfaith Council, etc.

What are some examples of religion classes offered by SCU?

Ways of Understanding Religion; Darwin, God, and the Poets; Theology of Marriage; Theology of Death

How many missions are there in California

21

What number mission is Santa Clara?

8th

What year was the SCU mission founded?

Founded in 1777.

Where was the first Santa Clara Mission built?

Built on the Guadalupe River near the 101 and Mineta San Jose Airport.

What year was the current mission built?

1822

What year was the mission refurbished?

1928

When are masses offered in the Mission?

Mon-Fri at noon, Sunday at 10:00 AM, 6:00 and 8:00 PM.

What do the crosses in front of the mission mean?

They represent remembrance of the Jesuit, their housekeeper and the housekeeper's daughter who were murdered in El Salvador in 1989.

What are the 3 Centers of Distinction?

Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship.

Where is the Markkula Center?

Located in Vari Hall.

Where is the Ignatian Center?

Located in Nobili.

Where is the Miller Center?

Located in Sobrato Center for Discovery and Innovation (SCDI).

What percent of SCU students study abroad?

About ⅓ of students study abroad during their time at SCU.

How many countries and programs does SCU have for study abroad?

60+ coutries, 200+ programs

True/ false: Financial Aid applies to study abroad programs

True

What percentage of students are enrolled in CAS?

48%

How many majors are in CAS?

34

How many minors are in CAS?

52

What is the REAL Program?

Program for CAS students to receive funding for summer career exploration opportunities

What are the 3 Pre-professional advising programs offered through CAS?

Pre-Law, Pre-Health, and Pre-Teaching

What are undergraduate labs? What does working in one entail?

Students work side-by-side with professors on research projects, gaining hands-on experience

If a student wants to major in something not offered at SCU, what can they do?

In certain cases, students can customize their own major under the supervision of an advisor to combine classes that SCU offers, titled an Individual Studies Major.

Percentage of students in the School of Business

30%

9 Majors in the School of Business

Accounting, Accounting and Information Systems (AIS), Business Analytics, Economics, Finance, Management, Marketing, and Management Information Systems (MIS), Individual Studies

9 Minors in the School of Business

Business Analytics, Economics, Entrepreneurship, International Business, Management Information Systems, Marketing, Real Estate, Retail Studies, Sustainable Food Systems.

What BUSN minor(s) open only to BUSN students?

Business Analytics

True or False: You can double major within the School of Business

False. Business majors can double major across schools but not within the Leavey School of Business.

True or False: Only BUSN students can minor in BUSN School

False, any student can pursue a business minor (except for Marketing and BUSN Analytics).

What are some of the business-related activities or clubs?

ACE, Business Fraternities, Santa Clara Entrepreneur's Organization, SCU Microfinance, SC Consulting, and Women in Business

What is the process to transfer into the School of Business?

Students must complete one year in their original college, and may then apply to transfer into the Leavey School of Business.

What is the Business Core Curriculum?

In addition to fulfilling SCU Core requirements, Business students must complete a range of lower-division courses, including Economics, Accounting, Business Law, Data Analysis, and an Introduction to Business.

What is the Upper division Business Core?

Students engage in a Common Core of Knowledge with classes in Finance, Marketing, Management, and OMIS, culminating in a capstone project.

Does LSB offer a five year program? What does that mean?

Yes, students graduate in 5 years with a bachelors and a masters degree

What type of degree do business students receive?

Bachelor of Science in commerce

Percentage of students in the School of Engineering

23%.

Percentage of female engineering students

33% female engineering students.

Percentage of female faculty members in Engineering

30% female faculty members, number one in the nation for the percentage of women faculty tenure or tenure-track.

8 Majors in the School of Engineering

Bioengineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Web Design and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, General Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

What are the eligible majors for the 5-year BS/MS program?

Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, and Bioengineering are eligible for the 5-year BS/MS program.

11 minors in the School of Engineering

Computer Science and Engineering; General Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Aerospace Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Construction Management; Bioengineering, Technical Innovation, Design Thinking, and the Entrepreneurial Mindset; Healthcare Innovation and Design; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Responsible AI.

True or False: First-year students must know coming into SCU that they want to pursue the 5-year BS/MS program.

False

What is the T-Model of Education?

A model of engineering education that combines a deep technical core in math, science, engineering, and design with a broad set of soft skills essential for success.

What is the Senior Design Project in the School of Engineering?

An engineering capstone project where teams present their work to an audience of industry experts, faculty advisors, students, family, and friends at the annual Senior Design Conference.

Can college of arts and sciences majors add an Engineering minor

Yes! Minors are open to all schools

What is the LEAD Scholars Program?

A program for first-generation college students focused on academic success and community engagement, providing academic and vocational development opportunities, holistic advising, peer mentoring, and community building.

How do you get admission to LEAD Scholars Program?

Transfer and first-year students who are first-generation are notified of the program; students indicate interest and are selected with their application to SCU.

What is the Academic Commitment for LEAD Scholars Program?

Students are required to take four classes, including CTW and 2-unit LEAD classes.

What are the Perks for LEAD Scholars?

Includes early move-in, mentoring from older students, priority registration, and free tickets to on-campus speakers and LEAD social events.

What is the University Honors Program?

Offers students enriched intellectual experiences through small, seminar-style classes that foster collaboration, focusing on analytical rigor and meaningful interactions.

What is the Johnson Scholarship?

A merit scholarship covering full tuition for selected students during the academic year, renewable annually for up to four years, with additional financial aid available for costs of attendance.

How do you get admission to Honors Program?

Applications are typically due three weeks after decisions release for EA and ED1, and one to two weeks after for ED2 and RD.

What is the Application Process for Honors Program?

Includes a written application first, followed by a video application second.