Loyola Marymount vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

Compare Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA with Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Loyola Marymount University is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (10,179 students vs. 9,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loyola Marymount University is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Santa Clara University is in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting).
• Loyola Marymount University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loyola Marymount University 10:1; Santa Clara University 11:1.

Loyola Marymount vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola Marymount or SCU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Santa Clara University than Loyola Marymount ($53,883 vs. $59,926).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Clara University are 9.7% lower than at Loyola Marymount University ($19,893 vs. $22,026).
• Loyola Marymount University is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCU (about $1,064 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Loyola Marymount than at Santa Clara University (about $1,064 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola Marymount University than at Santa Clara University (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Santa Clara University students is 16.7% larger than aid received by Loyola Marymount University students ($28,368 vs. $24,318).

Loyola Marymount vs. SCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loyola Marymount or SCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SCU and Loyola Marymount.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is 70 points higher than at Loyola Marymount (1350).
• Incoming SCU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 30 at Loyola Marymount).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola Marymount University 1260/1430; Santa Clara University 1350/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola Marymount University 28/32; Santa Clara University 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola Marymount - Test optional; SCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Loyola Marymount Jan 15, 2027; SCU Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Loyola Marymount students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at SCU (3.67).
• SCU has a higher acceptance rate (48%) than Loyola Marymount (45.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.8% at Loyola Marymount vs. 17.7% at SCU.

Loyola Marymount vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola Marymount and SCU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Santa Clara University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Loyola Marymount University's (77%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $16,200 more per year than Loyola Marymount graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $65,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Clara University graduates have a $168 lower median loan debt than Loyola Marymount graduates ($21,500 vs. $21,668).
• Among borrowers, SCU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola Marymount graduates ($222 vs. $224).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Loyola Marymount students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 79%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.