University of Silicon Valley
A good fit for students who want small classes and close faculty access. graduation rate is below 40%; median debt is moderately high. solid earnings of $60,400 within 10 years.
About This School
University of Silicon Valley is a private for-profit institution located in San Jose, California with approximately 455 undergraduate students enrolled. University of Silicon Valley has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 51%. The average net price after financial aid is $27,815 per year. The graduation rate is 29%, and the typical graduate earns $60,400 within 10 years of enrollment.
The University of Silicon Valley (USV) is a private for-profit university university in San Jose, California, in Silicon Valley. Founded in 1887 as Cogswell Technical School, and later known as Cogswell Polytechnical College. It was the first technical training institution in the Western United States and one of only two private universities, along with Stanford University, that were originally guaranteed a tax exemption in the California Constitution. USV is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Programs at USV range from digital media to engineering, with an emphasis on digital animation, audio and music production, and video game design.
The numbers tell a mixed story here — a 35% graduation rate and 58% freshman retention rate suggest that most students who start here don't finish, which is a serious red flag worth pressing the school on before enrolling. On the positive side, graduates who do complete their degrees report median earnings of $60,400 after 10 years, which is a reasonable return given the $31,000 median debt load. Worth considering only if you have a very specific reason this school fits your goals — strong self-discipline and a clear plan to finish will matter more here than at most schools.
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
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
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 (455 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in California
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA · Public
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · Public
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
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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