Private nonprofit · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Midsize city

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, California. 6,552 undergraduates. Admits 48% of applicants.

87%Graduation rate33 pts above the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$36,116Average net price per year81% above the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$117,193Median earnings 10 years after starting99% above the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$19,500Median debt at graduation10% below the national median for similar colleges ($21,609)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($19,500) equals 17% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($117,193). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$22,696
$30,000–$48,000$13,570
$48,001–$75,000$25,352
$75,001–$110,000$40,238
Over $110,000$63,129

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $63,513.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate87%54%
Return for second year94%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$96,609$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$117,193$58,912
Median debt at graduation$19,500$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

70 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Computer Engineering98$93,450$181,034$24,500
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering13—$162,477—
Mathematics and Computer Science94$78,758$147,934$18,750
Accounting and Related Services53$88,383$143,129$17,000
Economics77$71,361$132,322$17,250
Mechanical Engineering39$84,296$127,964$20,250
Finance and Financial Management Services173$88,868$125,893$17,249
Marketing74$72,607$111,959$20,298
Civil Engineering20—$110,396$21,500
Political Science and Government62$52,348$108,579$19,500
Biomedical/Medical Engineering21$84,402$107,040—
Biology, General51$46,955$100,198$19,500
Public Health39—$98,929$13,000
Communication and Media Studies120$62,295$97,296$19,500
Human Resources Management and Services43$65,753$95,261$20,500
Psychology, General112$40,079$88,047$15,500
Natural Resources Conservation and Research32$44,061$81,676$24,500
Management Information Systems and Services0$75,970——
English Language and Literature, General19—$71,897—
Sociology22—$64,700—
Neurobiology and Neurosciences26$52,670—$22,000
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies13———
Computer and Information Sciences, General77——$15,000
Computer Software and Media Applications15———
Engineering, General6———
Engineering Physics3———
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics21———
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics4———
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services25———
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities3———
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology10———
Mathematics9———
Philosophy18———
Religion/Religious Studies5———
Chemistry5———
Physics4———
Anthropology7———
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft10———
Fine and Studio Arts9———
Music11———
Business/Managerial Economics19———
History8———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

48%Admission rate
1,426Average SAT of admitted students
31–33ACT middle 50%
11:1Students per faculty member
14%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

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Quick answers

How much does Santa Clara University cost per year?
The average net price at Santa Clara University, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $36,116 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Santa Clara University graduates earn?
Former Santa Clara University students earn a median of $117,193 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Santa Clara University?
87% of Santa Clara University students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Santa Clara University graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Santa Clara University is $19,500. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.