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Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA · City · 6,552 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$50,062
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
88%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
58% typical
$109,183
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,545 typical
48%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
About

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara University is a top-ranked Jesuit institution best known for pairing high-tech career pathways with an ethical, service-minded philosophy. Its strongest academic offerings reside within the highly regarded Leavey School of Business and the School of Engineering, both of which feed directly into global tech firms, startups, and finance institutions. The student experience is characterized by a close-knit, collaborative community centered around the historic Mission Santa Clara de Asís and a vibrant, sunny California campus. A major hallmark of the university is its unbeatable Bay Area location, which grants undergraduates exceptional access to high-profile internships, cutting-edge research, and an influential regional alumni network.

Wikipedia:Santa Clara University is a private Jesuit university in Santa Clara, California, United States. Established in 1851, Santa Clara University is the oldest operating institution of higher learning in California. The university's campus surrounds the historic Mission Santa Clara de Asís which traces its founding to 1777. The campus mirrors the Mission's architectural style and contains Mission Revival architecture and other Spanish Colonial Revival styles. The university is classified as a "Doctoral/Professional" university.

Location
Santa Clara, CA, 95053 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
SJC · San Jose
1 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$61,293
Housing & food (on campus)$19,893
Books & supplies$1,062
Cost of attendance$92,556
Average net price$50,062
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$61,293
Housing & food (on campus)$19,893
Books & supplies$1,062
Cost of attendance$92,556
Average net price$50,062
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.scu.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Santa Clara University’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$64,956
Fees$780
Books & supplies$1,305
Personal expenses$3,969
Transportation$1,386
Total published by the school$92,556
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$22,985
$30–48k
$19,154
$48–75k
$26,531
$75–110k
$37,219
$110k+
$60,678
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$16,788
First-years who got one215
Source: Santa Clara University's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
88%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
81%
Back for yr 2
94%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
90% graduated · 7% transferred · 3% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$91,198
10 yrs after entry$109,183
Debt
Median at graduation$19,162
Monthly payment$203
Middle 50% owe$10.2k–$27k
90th percentile$31,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral/Professional University: 58% graduate within 6 yrs, $55,545 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
48%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1426
R 670–730 · M 680–760
ACT midpoint
32
Comp 31–33 · M 29–33
SAT middle 50%: 1350–1490
40080012001600

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Santa Clara University: Very important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Santa Clara University's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.

If Santa Clara University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 51%Women 49%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
11 : 1
Pell grant
11%
First-gen
17%
Family income
$97,113
Independent
8%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
2%
Race & ethnicity
White
37%
Hispanic
20%
Black
3%
Asian
21%
Two or more
9%
Non-resident
7%
Unknown
2%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Beach Volleyball
    Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Rowing
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Water Polo
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$91,198
After 10 yrs
$109,183
Finance and Financial Management Services164
Communication and Media Studies140
Psychology, General115
Mathematics and Computer Science103
Marketing99
Political Science and Government96
Accounting and Related Services84
Computer Engineering83
Economics77
Biology, General61
Public Health59
Natural Resources Conservation and Research46
Management Information Systems and Services42
Neurobiology and Neurosciences39
Human Resources Management and Services39
Mechanical Engineering36
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$1.6B
Full-time faculty
72%
Faculty salary
$14,682/mo
Teaching spend
$22,421
per student
Federal loans
37%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral/Professional University
Research activity
R2 — high research
$8M research spending · 24 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if Santa Clara University is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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