SCU vs. Fordham

Deciding between Santa Clara University and Fordham University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Santa Clara University
Fordham University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • SCU Santa Clara, CA
  • Fordham Bronx, NY
  • Setting
  • SCU Midsize City
  • Fordham Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • SCU 9,728
  • Fordham 16,150
  • Type
  • SCU Private 4 Year
  • Fordham Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • SCU #61
  • Fordham #133
  • Religious Affiliation
  • SCU Roman Catholic
  • Fordham Roman Catholic
  • Status
  • SCU Non-profit
  • Fordham Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • SCU
  • Fordham

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • SCU $61,293
  • Fordham $64,915
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • SCU $61,293
  • Fordham $64,915
  • Room & Board
  • SCU $19,893
  • Fordham $24,090
  • Average Net Price
  • SCU $53,883
  • Fordham $48,190
  • Average Grant Aid
  • SCU $28,368
  • Fordham $35,988
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • SCU 71%
  • Fordham 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • SCU 18,970
  • Fordham 43,364
  • Admitted
  • SCU 9,105
  • Fordham 25,719
  • Acceptance Rate
  • SCU 48%
  • Fordham 59.3%
  • Enrolled
  • SCU 17.7%
  • Fordham 9.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SCU 1420
  • Fordham 1400
  • Typical ACT score
  • SCU 32
  • Fordham 31
  • Average High School GPA
  • SCU 3.67
  • Fordham 3.67
  • Typical High School Grades
  • SCU A-
  • Fordham A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • SCU Exceptional
  • Fordham Exceptional
  • Applicant Competition
  • SCU Low
  • Fordham Low
  • ACT Range
  • SCU 31/33
  • Fordham 30/33
  • SAT Range
  • SCU 1350/1490
  • Fordham 1320/1480
  • Submit Test Scores
  • SCU Test optional
  • Fordham Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • SCU Jan 7, 2027
  • Fordham Jan 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • SCU 11:1
  • Fordham 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • SCU
    • Business (33%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Fordham
    • Business (26%)
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • English and Literature (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • SCU 85%
  • Fordham 78%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • SCU $81,900
  • Fordham $64,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • SCU 84%
  • Fordham 77%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • SCU $21,500
  • Fordham $26,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • SCU $222
  • Fordham $268

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • SCU 49%
  • Fordham 39%
  • % Women
  • SCU 51%
  • Fordham 61%
  • Racial Diversity
  • SCU High
  • Fordham High
  • HBCU
  • SCU No
  • Fordham No
  • % White
  • SCU 49%
  • Fordham 59%
  • % Asian
  • SCU 16%
  • Fordham 10%
  • % Black
  • SCU 3%
  • Fordham 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • SCU 17%
  • Fordham 14%
  • % Native American
  • SCU 0%
  • Fordham 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • SCU 0%
  • Fordham 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • SCU 7%
  • Fordham 3%
  • % International
  • SCU 3%
  • Fordham 7%
  • % Unknown Race
  • SCU 4%
  • Fordham 2%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • SCU 55%
  • Fordham 38%
  • % Out-of-State
  • SCU 36%
  • Fordham 51%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • SCU Yes
  • Fordham Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • SCU No
  • Fordham No
  • Meal Plan
  • SCU Yes
  • Fordham Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • SCU No
  • Fordham Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • SCU Yes
  • Fordham No

Comparable Facts

Compare Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA with Fordham University in Bronx, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fordham University is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (16,150 students vs. 9,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting); Fordham University is in Bronx, NY (Large City setting).
  • Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Fordham University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Clara University 11:1; Fordham University 14:1.

SCU vs. Fordham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCU or Fordham? 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 Fordham University than SCU ($48,190 vs. $53,883).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Clara University are 17.4% lower than at Fordham University ($19,893 vs. $24,090).
  • Fordham University is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCU (about $3,622 more per year; $64,915.00 vs. $61,293.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.9% higher at Fordham than at Santa Clara University (about $3,622 more per year; $64,915.00 vs. $61,293.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fordham University than at Santa Clara University (95% vs. 71%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fordham University students is 26.9% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($35,988 vs. $28,368).

SCU vs. Fordham Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCU or Fordham? 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 Fordham and SCU.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is 20 points higher than at Fordham (1400).
  • Incoming SCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Fordham).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Santa Clara University 1350/1490; Fordham University 1320/1480.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Santa Clara University 31/33; Fordham University 30/33.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCU - Test optional; Fordham - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SCU Jan 7, 2027; Fordham Jan 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman SCU students have the same average high school GPA (3.67) as students at Fordham (3.67).
  • Fordham has a higher acceptance rate (59.3%) than SCU (48%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at SCU vs. 9.7% at Fordham.

SCU vs. Fordham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCU and Fordham? 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 Fordham University's (78%).
  • Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $17,700 more per year than Fordham graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $64,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Clara University graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Fordham graduates ($21,500 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, SCU graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fordham graduates ($222 vs. $268).
  • More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fordham students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 77%)

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.