SCU vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

Compare Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA with Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Santa Clara University is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (9,728 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Clara University 11:1; Westmont College 10:1.

SCU vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCU or Westmont College? 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 Westmont College than SCU ($32,172 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 14.7% lower than at Santa Clara University ($16,960 vs. $19,893).
• Santa Clara University is 14.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westmont College (about $7,709 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.4% higher at SCU than at Westmont College (about $7,709 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at Santa Clara University (100% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 37.3% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($38,956 vs. $28,368).

SCU vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is 70 points higher than at Westmont College (1350).
• Incoming SCU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Santa Clara University 1350/1490; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Santa Clara University 31/33; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCU - Test optional; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCU Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SCU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than SCU (48%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at SCU vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

SCU vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCU and Westmont College? 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 Westmont College's (77%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $27,300 more per year than Westmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Clara University graduates have a $3,623 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, SCU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($222 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 84%)

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.