September 2023

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 6, 2023— Santa Clara University will welcome 1,568 first-year students—including a record number of Latiné/x students—when undergraduate classes resume Monday, Sept. 18.

The Class of 2027 was selected from 18,844 applicants, the largest applicant pool to date. Students hail from 41 states, and 34 countries or regions across the world. An additional 225 students are joining the class as transfers from 126 other institutions. Both the first-year and transfer cohorts are the second-largest in SCU history.

In recent years, Santa Clara University has committed to a goal of becoming a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, defined as institutions where at least 25% of enrolled undergraduate students are Hispanic. The Class of 2027 is 20% Latiné/x, which indicates a strong interest in Santa Clara among Latiné/x students. In addition, 55% of the incoming class of first-year students identify as persons of color. Fifty-two percent of incoming students are female; nearly 15% are the first in their family to attend a four-year college or university; and 8% are international.

“Santa Clara University is proud to have selected an extremely accomplished, socially conscious, and ethics-minded first-year class, ” said Eva Blanco Masias, vice president for enrollment management. “The strength of our applicant pool and the demonstrated commitment of our admitted students to being ‘people for others’ is a true testament to the enduring value of a Santa Clara education.”

For incoming students, the top five majors of interest are computer science and engineering; psychology; mechanical engineering; finance; and computer science (mathematics). Forty-seven percent will study in the College of Arts and Sciences; 28% in the Leavey School of Business, and a record 25% in the School of Engineering.

Through their supplemental essays, many students in the Class of 2027 expressed a desire to use their SCU education to address issues such as environmental justice, artificial intelligence and technology, health care, racial justice, and homelessness.

Notable incoming first-year class members include an Olympic athlete, published authors, company founders, a professional esport commentator, and a President’s Volunteer Service Award gold medal winner.

Though SCU extended its test-optional policy through this year, 36% of applicants opted to have their SAT or ACT test results considered as part of the admissions process. Those who submitted scores had an average SAT of 1,413 and ACT of 32. The average unweighted GPA for the Class of 2027 is 3.73. 

Ranked No. 55 of 400 universities nationwide in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges,” Santa Clara University will continue to emphasize student-centered learning, small class sizes, excellence across the curriculum and an exceptional learning environment for all students.  

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 see www.scu.edu.

Media Contact
Deborah Lohse | SCU Media Communications | dlohse@scu.edu | 408-554-5121