ACCEPTANCE RATE
43.8%
More selective than 18% of listed universities.
SelectiveAccessible
Private University
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, is a private nonprofit institution dedicated to cultivating leaders who are committed to making a positive impact in the world.
43.8%ACCEPTANCE
$49,651AVG NET PRICE
88%GRAD RATE
9,340STUDENTS
University data profileIPEDS 2023
San Jose, CAcity
THE SIGNATURE
Santa Clara University Report Card
Explore university facts, programs, and campus life at a glance.
Santa Clara University, founded in 1851, is a private nonprofit institution with a strong Roman Catholic heritage. It emphasizes a well-rounded education rooted in the Jesuit tradition, focusing on fostering academic excellence and social responsibility.
Situated in San Jose, California, in the vibrant Silicon Valley, the university boasts a diverse student body of approximately 9,340 students. This unique setting not only provides access to a world of innovation and technology but also a dynamic campus life that encourages personal growth, engagement, and the development of meaningful relationships among peers and faculty.
AT A GLANCE
TypePrivateFour or more years
Founded1851
Settingcity106 acres
Calendarquarter
Religious affiliationRoman Catholic
GETTING IN
Admissions
Santa Clara University has an acceptance rate of 43.8%, with nearly 18,843 applicants vying for a position each year. The admissions process considers various factors, indicating a selective environment for prospective students.
Source: IPEDS 2023
SAT RANGE (MID 50%)
1,340–1,500
4001600
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Jan 7regular
Early Action Nov 1
Early Decision Nov 1
Undergraduate application fee $70.
WHAT IT COSTS
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker price tells you little — net price after aid is what most families actually pay.
Source: IPEDS 2023
IN-STATE TUITION & FEES
$59,241/yr
Out-of-state: $59,241/yr.
Net price by income band
$0–$30,000
$30,001–$48,000
$48,001–$75,000
$75,001–$110,000
$110,001+
AVERAGE NET PRICE AFTER AID
$49,651/yr
▲ 2% since 2020-2175% receive aid
Average aid package $29,147.
IN THE CLASSROOM
Academics
Santa Clara University is known for its robust academic programs and a strong emphasis on undergraduate teaching, as well as a high six-year graduation rate of 88%. The university offers a comprehensive curriculum with 53 undergraduate majors, preparing students for successful careers.
Source: IPEDS 2023
Student–faculty ratio
10:1
42.6% of classes have fewer than 20 students.
6-year graduation rate
88%
▼ 1 pts since 2016
First-year retention
94%
Compared with the 89% public-university median.
Undergrad majors
53
Undergraduate majors and programs
MOST POPULAR FIELDS OF STUDY
Finance, General.11.1%
Speech Communication and Rhetoric.8.6%
Mathematics and Computer Science.6.9%
Psychology, General.6.7%
Marketing/Marketing Management, General.6.7%
Political Science and Government, General.5.2%
CAMPUS LIFE
Campus & Housing
Campus housing shows how many students live on-campus — which means nearby housing can be essential to the college experience.
On-campus beds
3,797
Housing for approximately 60% of students.
Students needing off-campus housing
3,736
Estimated from enrollment and reported on-campus housing capacity.
Setting
city
106 campus acres.
IN CONTEXT
SCU vs. peer institutions
How SCU compares with officially identified or editorially reviewed peer institutions.
Santa Clara University
$49,651
San Jose State University
$13,833
University of Southern California
$41,496
University of San Diego
$37,675
Loyola Marymount University
$54,471
AFTER GRADUATION
Student outcomes
What graduates earn and how reliably they land work — the bottom-line return on the degree.
Source: College Scorecard 2023
Median earnings · 10 yrs after entry
$109,183
Working after 10 yrs
92.6%
Share of former students working and not enrolled, ten years after entry.
Earning more than a high-school graduate
92.7%
92.7% of students out-earn the typical high-school graduate — a core measure of mobility.
Neighborhoods near SCU
Where students live around Santa Clara University — vibe, walkability, and commute at a glance.
Loading map...
Data Sources: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics. University Apartments is not affiliated with Santa Clara University.