SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 21, 2026— In a joyful annual ritual, Santa Clara University welcomed over 1,900 new first-year and transfer students during its campus-wide Welcome Weekend. Over three days, dozens of campus units and organizations held open houses; students moved into residence halls and got acclimated to campus; and President Julie Sullivan welcomed the new arrivals to the 2026-27 school year.
“Your Santa Clara education will prepare you for a meaningful life and career success in this rapidly changing world,” said Sullivan. She advised the students to develop their “authentic selves,” saying “authenticity comes from radical self-acceptance of who you really are” in order “to discern what matters to you, what your values are, and what is your ‘why’.”
Santa Clara’s undergraduate Class of 2030 comprises 1,622 Broncos from 44 states and 18 countries or regions across the world. An additional 289 students—a record cohort— joined Santa Clara as transfers from over 134 institutions including 38 California Community Colleges campuses.
“The members of the Class of 2030 personify the best values of Santa Clara University, with talented students from so many different backgrounds who want to use their gifts and talents to build a more sustainable, just and kind world,” said Eva Blanco Masias, vice president for enrollment management. “We are also delighted that our efforts to meet the financial need of stellar students from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds, geographic locations, and transfers from other institutions is resulting in tremendous interest in Santa Clara university’s values-based and experiential education.“
The Class of 2030 was chosen from among nearly 20,000 applicants, and the University also received a record-breaking 1,359 applications from transfer students.
Santa Clara’s incoming first-year students have an average unweighted GPA of 3.69 from rigorous high school curricula.
Other facts about incoming first-year students include:
- First-generation college students represent 18% of the class
- International students represent 6%
- Graduates of Jesuit high schools: 8%
- Incoming Posse scholars: 10
- Cristo Rey graduates: 38 students, up from 33 from last year and comprising the most enrolled Cristo Rey graduates of any U.S. university.
Media Contact
Deborah Lohse | Santa Clara University Media Communications | [email protected] | 408-554-5121
