SCU vs. Lewis and Clark

Comparable Facts

Compare Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA with Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Santa Clara University is larger than Lewis and Clark based on total student enrollment (9,728 students vs. 3,504 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting); Lewis & Clark College is in Portland, OR (Large City setting).
• Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Lewis & Clark College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Clara University 11:1; Lewis & Clark College 12:1.

SCU vs. Lewis and Clark Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCU or Lewis and Clark? 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 Lewis & Clark College than SCU ($37,999 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lewis & Clark College are 21.3% lower than at Santa Clara University ($15,648 vs. $19,893).
• Lewis & Clark College is 5.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCU (about $3,535 more per year; $64,828.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at Lewis and Clark than at Santa Clara University (about $3,535 more per year; $64,828.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lewis & Clark College than at Santa Clara University (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lewis & Clark College students is 48.1% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($42,021 vs. $28,368).

SCU vs. Lewis and Clark Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is 120 points higher than at Lewis and Clark (1300).
• Incoming SCU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at Lewis and Clark).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Santa Clara University 1350/1490; Lewis & Clark College 1210/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Santa Clara University 31/33; Lewis & Clark College 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCU - Test optional; Lewis and Clark - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCU Jan 7, 2027; Lewis and Clark Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lewis and Clark students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at SCU (3.67).
• Lewis and Clark has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than SCU (48%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at SCU vs. 9.7% at Lewis and Clark.

SCU vs. Lewis and Clark Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCU and Lewis and Clark? 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 Lewis & Clark College's (73%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $31,000 more per year than Lewis and Clark graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $50,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Clara University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Lewis and Clark graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, SCU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lewis and Clark graduates ($222 vs. $253).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lewis and Clark students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 82%)

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.