Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Santa Clara, California |
| Online | scu.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Religious Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Santa Clara University, located in the heart of California's Silicon Valley, occupies a 106-acre campus in Santa Clara with Spanish Colonial Revival architecture that reflects its founding in 1851 as the first operating institution of higher learning in California. The private Jesuit university sits adjacent to tech industry headquarters and maintains its historic Mission Santa Clara de Asís at the campus center. Known for its selective undergraduate programs in business, engineering, and computer science, SCU leverages its Silicon Valley location through extensive industry partnerships and internship opportunities. The university houses most first-year students in on-campus residence halls, while upper-division students typically live in nearby university-operated housing or private accommodations. As a member of the West Coast Conference, Santa Clara competes in NCAA Division I athletics, with its men's soccer program having achieved particular prominence.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
SCU is rated within the top 15% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 9 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Santa Clara University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#62 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#58 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#8 in Best Colleges in California
#7 in Best Private Colleges in California
#475 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#33 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1290/1480 |
| ACT | 29/33 |
| GPA | 3.67 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 7, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Average |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,152 |
| Other Fees | $654 |
| Room and Board | $17,112 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,051 |
| Total One Year Cost | $78,849 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 33% |
| Social Sciences | 13% |
| Engineering | 11% |
| Communication | 7% |
| Psychology | 6% |
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Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Santa Clara University.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=122931 IPEDS survey data for Santa Clara University.
Current students may use the Santa Clara University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024