AP Credit

Santa Clara AP Credit

Santa Clara awards credit on 12 of the 12 common AP exams listed here. A 3 is enough on 2, and the other 10 need a higher score.

Lowest score accepted

Limit on AP credit

At most one-half of the quarter units required to graduate can be transferred in (all transfer and exam credit)

Chart applies to

University-wide, 2026-27

Only some AP awards satisfy Core Curriculum requirements, and several earn elective credit only.

What each AP exam earns at Santa Clara

Twelve common exams. An exam is left out when Santa Clara’s page does not name it.

AP exam	Lowest score	What it earns	With a 5
Calculus AB	4	8 quarter units, MATH 11 and elective credit	Same
Calculus BC	3	4 quarter units, MATH 11	12 quarter units, MATH 11 and 12 and elective credit
English Language and Composition	4	4 quarter units, elective credit	Same
English Literature and Composition	4	4 quarter units, elective credit	Same
United States History	4	4 quarter units, HIST 96AT or 96BT	Same
Biology	4	4 quarter units, elective credit	Same
Chemistry	3	5 quarter units, CHEM 11T	Same
Physics C: Mechanics	4	5 quarter units, elective credit	5 quarter units, PHYS 31
Computer Science A	4	5 quarter units, CSEN 10 and 10L (engineering majors only) or CSCI 10	10 quarter units, CSEN 10, 10L, 11 and 11L (engineering majors only), or 5 units for CSCI 10
Statistics	4	4 quarter units, MATH 8 or OMIS 40 depending on school	Same
Psychology	4	4 quarter units, PSYC 2	Same
Spanish Language and Culture	4	4 quarter units, SPAN 21	Same

“Credit or placement is determined by the appropriate department based on review of the student’s Advanced Placement scores, sometimes in the context of supplemental departmental examinations.”

Santa Clara

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Frequently asked questions

Does Santa Clara accept AP credit?

Santa Clara awards credit on 12 of the 12 common AP exams listed here. A 3 is enough on 2, and the other 10 need a higher score. Only some AP awards satisfy Core Curriculum requirements, and several earn elective credit only.

What AP score do you need at Santa Clara?

The lowest score that earns anything on the non-language exams listed here is a 3. The score needed differs by exam, so check the row for each one.

Is there a limit on AP credit at Santa Clara?

Yes. Santa Clara states this limit: At most one-half of the quarter units required to graduate can be transferred in (all transfer and exam credit).

Read from Santa Clara’s own page and last checked 2026-10-08. Colleges change these charts, and rules can differ by school within a university, so confirm with the official page before you plan around it.