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 Silicon Valley in Santa Clara, California, is a private Jesuit university established in 1851, making it the oldest institution of higher education in the state. Characterized by its mission-centered education that blends high-tech innovation with a social consciousness grounded in the Jesuit tradition, the university is situated on a 106-acre campus that showcases a blend of Mission Revival architecture. The campus is just a short distance from San Jose, offering students a suburban setting with proximity to urban amenities. Santa Clara offers a range of undergraduate programs, with business, engineering, and psychology being some of its most popular majors. The university's Leavey School of Business and School of Engineering are particularly noted for their strong academic programs. While Santa Clara University is highly selective in its admissions process, it also provides a vast array of resources for student support and success. The university facilitates on-campus living with a variety of housing options to foster an integrated educational experience. While Santa Clara does participate in NCAA Division I athletics as part of the West Coast Conference, it is not predominantly recognized for its athletic programs in the same vein as some larger, sports-focused universities.
In the most recent statistical year 16,650 prospective students applied, and 8,677 were granted admission. Of those admitted 1,641 enrolled in the school. 8,007 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 1,171 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $56,880 plus fees of $654. SCU is ranked 62 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2024 U.S. Colleges Ranking.
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% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering SCU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
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