SCU vs. Miami

Comparable Facts

Compare Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA with University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Miami is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (19,852 students vs. 9,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting); University of Miami is in Coral Gables, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Miami is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Clara University 11:1; University of Miami 11:1.

SCU vs. Miami Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCU or Miami? 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 University of Miami than SCU ($45,397 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Clara University are 16.4% lower than at University of Miami ($19,893 vs. $23,790).
• University of Miami is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCU (about $1,323 more per year; $62,616.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Miami than at Santa Clara University (about $1,323 more per year; $62,616.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Miami than at Santa Clara University (79% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Miami students is 44.5% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($40,992 vs. $28,368).

SCU vs. Miami Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is 20 points higher than at Miami (1400).
• Incoming SCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at Miami).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Santa Clara University 1350/1490; University of Miami 1320/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Santa Clara University 31/33; University of Miami 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCU - Test optional; Miami - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCU Jan 7, 2027; Miami Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Miami students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at SCU (3.67).
• SCU has a higher acceptance rate (48%) than Miami (18.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at SCU vs. 24.3% at Miami.

SCU vs. Miami Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCU and Miami? 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 University of Miami's (78%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than Miami graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $70,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Miami graduates have a $1,654 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($19,846 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Miami graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($205 vs. $222).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Miami students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 75%)

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.