Stories

Santa Clara University is set to welcome an incredibly diverse and accomplished Class of 2026 after receiving 16,641 applications, the second-most in its history.

Students who applied through the Regular Decision option received their notifications through their SCU application portal on March 15. 

Notable characteristics of the admitted class include: 

• An average unweighted GPA of 3.83 and average SAT score of 1,455
• 53 percent chose to submit test scores
• 51 percent are students of color, a 3 percent increase from last year
• 50 percent are from California
• 22 percent are from Catholic high schools, including 7% from Jesuit high schools
• 11 percent are first-generation college students, a 3 percent increase from last year 
• Admitted students represent all 50 states, 64 countries/regions and six U.S. territories.

“Beyond any statistic, the themes we saw consistently demonstrated across our admitted students were a curiosity to learn, compassion for others, and desires for advocacy and justice on many of society’s most urgent issues,” said Becky Konowicz, Santa Clara University’s dean of admission. “Their hope and energy, matched with an SCU education, I know will continue the legacy of global thinkers and leaders.”

To celebrate their acceptance and learn more about SCU, admitted students are invited to Preview Week, being held virtually April 5-8 and in-person on April 9. Participants can sit in on mock classes, take campus tours, ask questions to current Broncos, learn about financial aid, and more. Admitted students can also attend SCU Live! events on campus or in nine cities across the country to connect with current students, staff, and faculty. 

During that same week in April, SCU also will welcome students of diverse backgrounds, with sessions specifically for students of African, Asian, Latinx, Middle Eastern, and Native American heritage. This celebration of cultures culminates with a special social, Unity Night, on Friday night hosted by student identity groups and organizations.  

Santa Clara University will continue to host admitted-student events through Bronco Exchange, an online portal that allows admitted students to connect with current students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Opportunities for newly admitted students to engage with the SCU community can be found on the University's admitted student page.

The Class of 2026 will be arriving at a historic time, as Santa Clara’s 30th president, Julie H. Sullivan, Ph.D will begin her new term on July 1. Currently the president of the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, Sullivan will become the first non-Jesuit and first woman to serve as president in SCU’s 171-year history. 

The class also will take advantage of the newly opened Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation, one of the largest STEM education facilities in the country, featuring flexible labs, collaboration hubs, an Innovation Zone, and multidisciplinary project spaces.

Admitted first-year students have until May 1 to accept Santa Clara’s admission offer. Transfer students can still apply to Santa Clara until April 15. More than 200 transfer students will join Santa Clara's incoming first-year students this fall.