Acceptance Rate
48%
Avg. SAT
1490
75th percentile
“Nestled in Silicon Valley's epicenter, Santa Clara University fuses Jesuit values with tech ambition, turning undergraduates into ethical innovators amid startup dreams and sunny sprawl.”
Santa Clara, CA
Location
Midsize City
Campus Setting
You arrive at Santa Clara University, California's oldest operating institution of higher education, founded in 1851 by Jesuit priests on what was once a sprawling rancho in the Santa Clara Valley. This legacy shapes a personality that's equal parts rigorous introspection and worldly drive—think candlelit service retreats alongside hackathons with venture capitalists. The school draws students who blend intellectual curiosity with a do-gooder streak, thriving on collaborative energy rather than cutthroat competition; if you're the type who prefers group projects on sustainable tech over solitary genius-mode, you'll fit right in. But tradeoffs loom large: Silicon Valley's allure means sky-high living costs and a hyper-competitive internship scene that can overwhelm the less networked or entrepreneurial soul. Surrounding you is midsize Santa Clara, a sun-drenched suburb fused to San Jose's bustle, where traffic-clogged commutes to Apple or Google test your patience, yet weekend hikes in nearby foothills offer escape.
Photo Gallery
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
In classrooms buzzing with 10-to-1 student-faculty ratios, professors challenge you to dissect ethical dilemmas in AI or craft business plans pitched to alumni VCs, embodying SCU's Jesuit emphasis on 'cura personalis'—care for the whole person. The Leavey School of Business stands out for its hands-on internships at firms like NVIDIA, while engineering thrives on Silicon Valley pipelines, and the interdisciplinary honors program weaves theology with computer science. You'll encounter undergrad research early, perhaps tinkering in the sustainability lab, but expect a teaching style that's discussion-heavy yet demanding; tradeoffs include larger intro lectures and a vocational tilt that might frustrate pure humanities seekers amid the tech dominance.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
6,577 undergrad • 3,151 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
33%
Black / African American
3%
Hispanic / Latino
18%
Asian
20%
Other / Multi-racial
25%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Santa Clara, CA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus life pulses with Bronco spirit—tailgates at Levi's Stadium for football rivalries, Mission Church weddings for lifelong memories, and weekly mass blending spirituality with social hours. You'll live in modern dorms guaranteed through sophomore year, fostering tight-knit floors where study breaks turn into impromptu Ultimate Frisbee; over 200 clubs span hackathons to cultural fiestas, painting a vibrant, inclusive vibe for outgoing networkers. A typical week mixes 8 a.m. lectures, club meetings, and Valley networking events, capped by Thursday bar crawls in downtown San Jose. Challenges hit hard in the social dynamics: Greek life claims 20% but feels secondary to careerist cliques, and relentless sunny weather (rare rain!) masks isolation for introverts amid pricey off-campus rents pushing $2,000 a month.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
West Coast Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
Yes
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$23,618
$30K – $48K
$27,708
$48K – $75K
$27,484
$75K – $110K
$35,921
$110K+
$52,819
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
94%
4 Years Graduation Rate
85%
6 Years Graduation Rate
90%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$109,183
94% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at Santa Clara University and return in the fall. 85% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 90% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
85%
4-5 years
5%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
9%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$56,880
Acceptance
48%
Undergrads
6,577
4-Year Grad Rate
85%
Endowment
$1.3B
Santa Clara, CA 95053