SCU vs. Tulane

Comparable Facts

Compare Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA with Tulane University of Louisiana in New Orleans, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tulane University of Louisiana is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (13,310 students vs. 9,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting); Tulane University of Louisiana is in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting).
• Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tulane University of Louisiana is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Clara University 11:1; Tulane University of Louisiana 7:1.

SCU vs. Tulane Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCU or Tulane? 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 Tulane University of Louisiana than SCU ($47,427 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tulane University of Louisiana are 5.2% lower than at Santa Clara University ($18,868 vs. $19,893).
• Tulane University of Louisiana is 12% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCU (about $7,385 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12% higher at Tulane than at Santa Clara University (about $7,385 more per year; $68,678.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Clara University than at Tulane University of Louisiana (71% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tulane University of Louisiana students is 39.8% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($39,654 vs. $28,368).

SCU vs. Tulane Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Tulane University of Louisiana (1460) is 40 points higher than at SCU (1420).
• Incoming SCU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at Tulane (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Santa Clara University 1350/1490; Tulane University of Louisiana 1400/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Santa Clara University 31/33; Tulane University of Louisiana 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCU - Test optional; Tulane - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCU Jan 7, 2027; Tulane Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SCU students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Tulane (3.64).
• SCU has a higher acceptance rate (48%) than Tulane (14%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at SCU vs. 40.3% at Tulane.

SCU vs. Tulane Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCU and Tulane? 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).

• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Tulane graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $74,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Clara University graduates have a $6,029 lower median loan debt than Tulane graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,529).
• Among borrowers, SCU graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tulane graduates ($222 vs. $284).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tulane students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 62%)

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.