Santa Clara University
A good fit for students focused on high earning potential. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $85,300 within 10 years; strong 88% graduation rate.
About This School
Santa Clara University is a private nonprofit institution located in Santa Clara, California with approximately 6,552 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 48% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $50,062 per year. The graduation rate is 88%, and the typical graduate earns $85,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
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.
This is a strong option for students drawn to a values-driven, Jesuit education in the heart of Silicon Valley — an 88% graduation rate and median earnings of $85,300 a decade out suggest most students land on their feet. The relatively low median debt of $16,845 is a genuine bright spot, though the $50,959 annual net price is still a serious commitment, so make sure the aid package is real before getting attached. At a 44% acceptance rate, it's selective without being a long shot, making it a reasonable target for students who want a tight-knit campus with strong professional connections nearby.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 11% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Santa Clara University graduates earn most above the national rate in Management Information Systems and Services ($153,926 vs $83,290 nationally).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 164 | $118,737 | $83,343 | +$35,394 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 140 | $84,206 | $56,359 | +$27,847 |
| Psychology, General | 115 | $75,742 | $50,706 | +$25,036 |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | 103 | $147,013 | $118,943 | +$28,070 |
| Marketing | 99 | $104,723 | $69,303 | +$35,420 |
| Political Science and Government | 96 | $93,518 | $63,293 | +$30,225 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 84 | $130,087 | $76,194 | +$53,893 |
| Computer Engineering | 83 | $163,765 | $109,015 | +$54,750 |
| Economics | 77 | $121,307 | $82,686 | +$38,621 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 46 | $72,889 | $55,012 | +$17,877 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 42 | $153,926 | $83,290 | +$70,636 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 39 | $75,430 | $68,069 | +$7,361 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (6,552 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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See How Colleges Compare
Santa Clara University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Santa Clara University?
Santa Clara University has an acceptance rate of 48%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Santa Clara University hard to get into?
Santa Clara University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 48%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.
How much does Santa Clara University cost?
The average net price at Santa Clara University is about $50,062 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Santa Clara University?
Santa Clara University has a graduation rate of 88%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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