USF vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of San Francisco in San Francisco, CA with Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Santa Clara University is larger than USF based on total student enrollment (9,728 students vs. 8,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

USF vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF or SCU? 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 San Francisco than SCU ($45,443 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Francisco are 0.6% lower than at Santa Clara University ($19,764 vs. $19,893).
• Santa Clara University is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF (about $801 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $60,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at SCU than at University of San Francisco (about $801 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $60,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at Santa Clara University (95% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 22.4% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($34,723 vs. $28,368).

USF vs. SCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is 130 points higher than at USF (1290).
• Incoming SCU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at USF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 1190/1390; Santa Clara University 1350/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 25/30; Santa Clara University 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF - Test optional; SCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Jan 15, 2027; SCU Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SCU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at USF (3.57).
• USF has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than SCU (48%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6% at USF vs. 17.7% at SCU.

USF vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF and SCU? 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 San Francisco's (70%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than USF graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $70,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Clara University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($21,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, SCU graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($222 vs. $258).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 73%)

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.