Santa Clara University
About Santa Clara University
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Santa Clara University is a private Jesuit university in Santa Clara, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. It is known for its engineering, business, and computer science programs and its close ties to the tech industry.
Founded
1851
Location
Santa Clara, California
Students
9,703
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
48%
Selective
Graduation Rate
87.9%
Above national average
Tuition
$61,293
Per year
Avg Net Price
$50,062
After financial aid
SAT Average
1426
Out of 1600
Median Earnings
$109,183
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Very Selective
48 out of 100 applicants get in
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Optional
Application Fee
$70
Early
Nov 1
Regular
Jan 7
Santa Clara University accepts 48% of applicants, with admitted students averaging around 1426 on the SAT. If you're near or above that range, you have a strong chance.
SAT Scores
1426/ 1600
ACT Scores
32/ 36
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Above Average
87.9% complete their degree within six years
Retention
93.9%
4-Year Grad
85%
6-Year Grad
91%
Teaching Quality
12:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
71.8%
$/Student
$22.4K
Class Size
Medium
85% graduate in 4 years, and 93.9% of freshmen return for year two. The retention rate suggests students are happy with their experience.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$61,293
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$19,893
Books & Supplies
$1,062
Total Cost of Attendance
$82,026
After Financial Aid
$50,062
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$22,985
Receive Grants
11.3%
Take Loans
37.4%
The total cost of attendance runs about $82,026/yr, including $19,893 for room and board. After financial aid, the average student pays $50,062.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Santa Clara University fund their education.
While in School
11.3%
Get Grants
Free money
37.4%
Take Loans
Must repay
$97,113
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$19,162
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$203/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Only 37.4% of students take out federal loans, and those who do graduate with a median of $19,162. Many students here manage to minimize borrowing.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Santa Clara University.
Gender
49.5%
Female
51%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
6,552
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
3,151
Graduates
16.5%
First-Gen
20 yrs
Avg Age
1.1%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (50% women, 51% men). 16.5% are first-generation college students. 7.4% international students add diversity to the campus.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Midsize
Campus Quick Facts
6,552
Students
private
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
Doctoral
Classification
What This College Offers
Quarter calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
No
Career Counseling
Yes
What Students Say
Pros
- +Silicon Valley location with direct tech industry access
- +Beautiful mission-style campus with palm trees
- +Small Jesuit university feel with big career outcomes
- +Perfect Northern California weather
Cons
- -Silicon Valley cost of living is extremely high
- -Small school limits course variety
- -Campus can feel quiet on weekends
- -Less name recognition outside the West Coast
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Santa Clara University fields 13 varsity teams with 480 student athletes, about 7% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division I without football
Conference
West Coast
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
13
Biggest: Rowing
Student Athletes
480
7% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
51% / 49%
244
Men
236
Women
10
Men's Teams
12
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Santa Clara Universityearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$109,183
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Finance and Financial Management Services
$80K
164 grads
1yr Earnings
Communication and Media Studies
$52K
140 grads
1yr Earnings
Psychology, General
$39K
115 grads
1yr Earnings
Mathematics and Computer Science
$92K
103 grads
1yr Earnings
Marketing
$58K
99 grads
1yr Earnings
Political Science and Government
$57K
96 grads
1yr Earnings
Graduates start at $91K six years out, climb to $75K by year eight, and reach $109K by year ten. That upward trajectory shows the degree keeps paying off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Santa Clara University
What is the acceptance rate at Santa Clara University?▾
How much does Santa Clara University cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Santa Clara University?▾
How much do Santa Clara University graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.