UnisHub University Compass

Santa Clara University (SCU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

0 · 0 reviews

About Santa Clara University

Set beside a historic mission, Santa Clara University pairs sunlit mission-style courtyards with modern labs, studios, and collaborative spaces. You can feel it. It's known for strong teaching across engineering, business, sciences, and the liberal arts, with small classes and a habit of tying ethics to real-world questions. Students find advising, a well-used library, wellness support, and a career center offering personal guidance.

Life here feels active and service-minded. Clubs span cultural groups to design-build teams, with Broncos packing intramurals, outdoor trips, and arts nights. The Silicon Valley neighborhood brings internships, guest speakers, and projects with nearby companies, while Jesuit roots encourage reflection and community engagement. Career prep is boosted by an alumni network that includes Steve Nash and Brandi Chastain. Traditions center on the Mission church, spirited games, and plenty of sunshine.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, California, 95053, USA
Website
scu.edu
Unit ID
122931

Academic & Institutional

Control
Private non-profit institution (tuition + donations)
Accreditation
WSCUC
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Quarter system (four terms per year: fall, winter, spring, summer)
Award Levels
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (P)
Campus Setting
Located in a midsize city (population between 100,000 and 249,999)
Carnegie Classification
Doctoral - R3 (Moderate Research)
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$59,241
Tuition $58,587 + Fee $654
Out-of-State
$59,241
Tuition $58,587 + Fee $654
Student Profile
Total Students 9,340
Undergraduate 6,235
Graduate/Other 3,105
Male: 4,644 Female: 4,696
Applications
Total Applicants 18,843
Admitted 8,261
Enrolled 1,552
Acceptance: 43.8% Yield: 18.8%
Staff
Total Staff 2,023
Full-time 1,720
Part-time 303
Full-time: 85% Part-time: 15%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

Santa Clara University (SCU) offers 65 degree programs across 24 major academic fields, graduating approximately 2,655 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (7 programs, 680 graduates), Engineering (10 programs, 539 graduates), Psychology (3 programs, 234 graduates), Law (3 programs, 205 graduates) and Social Sciences (4 programs, 168 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Business (7 programs, 680 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Business Administration and Management 180
Master's
52.0201
Finance, General 173
Bachelor's
52.0801
Management Science 110
Master's
52.1301
Marketing Management 102
Bachelor's
Master's
52.1401
Accounting 53
Bachelor's
52.0301
Organizational Behavior 43
Bachelor's
52.1003
Business Economics 19
Bachelor's
52.0601
Engineering (10 programs, 539 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Computer Engineering 366
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
14.0901
Mechanical Engineering 55
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
14.1901
Computer Hardware Engineering 43
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
14.0902
Biomedical Engineering 25
Bachelor's
Master's
14.0501
Civil Engineering 24
Bachelor's
Master's
14.0801
Electrical and Electronics Engineering 14
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
14.1001
General Engineering 6
Bachelor's
14.0101
Engineering Physics 3
Bachelor's
14.1201
Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering 2
Master's
14.4201
Aerospace Engineering 1
Master's
14.0201
Psychology (3 programs, 234 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Counseling Psychology 117
Master's
42.2803
General Psychology 112
Bachelor's
42.0101
Applied Psychology 5
Master's
42.2813
Law (3 programs, 205 graduates)
Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Law 203
Doctorate (P)
22.0101
Foreign Law Programs 1
Master's
22.0202
Legal Research and Professional Studies 1
Master's
22.0299
Social Sciences (4 programs, 168 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Economics 77
Bachelor's
45.0601
Political Science and Government 62
Bachelor's
45.1001
Sociology 22
Bachelor's
45.1101
Anthropology 7
Bachelor's
45.0201
Computer & IT (2 programs, 122 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Information Technology 107
Bachelor's
Master's
11.0103
Web and Digital Multimedia Design 15
Bachelor's
11.0801
Communication (1 programs, 120 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Speech Communication and Rhetoric 120
Bachelor's
09.0101
Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 94 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Mathematics and Computer Science 94
Bachelor's
30.0801
Biological Sciences (3 programs, 87 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Biology and Biological Sciences 51
Bachelor's
26.0101
Neuroscience 26
Bachelor's
26.1501
Biochemistry 10
Bachelor's
26.0202
Education (4 programs, 80 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Educational Leadership and Administration 38
Master's
Doctorate (R)
13.0401
Multiple Level Teacher Education 38
Master's
13.1206
Secondary Education and Teaching 3
Master's
13.1205
Elementary Education 1
Master's
13.1202

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Santa Clara University (SCU).

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Record
Required
College Preparatory Program
Required
Recommendations
Required
Formal Demonstration of Competencies
Neither required nor recommended
English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
Required
Personal Statement or Essay
Required
Standardized Test Scores
SAT Scores
The SAT is a standardized college admission test measuring reading, writing, and math skills. Scores range from 400-1600 (combined Evidence-Based Reading & Writing + Math sections).
Composite Score Range
1340 - 1500
25th-75th percentile
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 660 - 730
Median: 700
Math 680 - 770
Median: 720
ACT Scores
The ACT is a standardized test for college admissions assessing English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Scores range from 1-36 (composite of all sections).
Composite Score Range
30 - 33
25th-75th percentile
Math 27 - 33
Median: 29

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$83,142
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$83,142
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$59,241
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$59,241
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$18,984 (on) / $19,431 (off)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$939
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$3,978 (on) / $6,192 (off)
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$5,220
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$25,873
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$25,873
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

27%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$28,375
Avg. Loan
$8,095
Avg. Federal Loan
$5,062
Additional
Students with Any Grant
1,188
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
450
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
193
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$25,939
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

88%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
94%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$70,946 – $160,882
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$70,946 (25th %) $160,882 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $109,183
Median Salary After 6 Years
$91,198
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$109,183
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
88.0%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
90.2%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$19,162
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 82.6%
Middle 84.7%
High 91.3%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 88.5%
Independent 84.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Santa Clara University (SCU)

How much does it cost to attend Santa Clara University (SCU)?

The annual tuition at Santa Clara University (SCU) is $59,241 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $83,142 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $18,984 (on) / $19,431 (off) and books and supplies $939.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does Santa Clara University offer?

Santa Clara University (SCU) offers 65 academic programs across 24 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional).

Most popular program areas include:

  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (7 programs)
  • Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (10 programs)
  • Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (3 programs)
  • Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice (3 programs)
  • Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (4 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for Santa Clara University?

Santa Clara University (SCU) has an 43.8% acceptance rate and a 18.8% yield rate, making it highly selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 18,843
  • Students admitted: 8,261
  • Students enrolled: 1,552

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at Santa Clara University?

Santa Clara University (SCU) provides financial aid to 27% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $28,375 and average loans of $8,095.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $5,551
  • State/Local grants: $9,291
  • Institutional grants: $25,939
  • Federal loans: $5,062

The university supports 1,188 students with grants and 450 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for Santa Clara University graduates?

Santa Clara University (SCU) graduates earn a median salary of $91,198 after 6 years and $109,183 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $70,946 (25th percentile) to $160,882 (75th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

Campus map for Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College
1900 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405-1628
View Profile
Campus map for Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa Junior College
1501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401-4395
View Profile
Campus map for Saybrook University
Saybrook University
55 W Eureka Street, Pasadena, CA 91103
View Profile
Campus map for Scripps College
Scripps College
1030 North Columbia Avenue, Claremont, CA 91711-3905
View Profile
Found this helpful? Share it!

Found something useful? Help others discover it too! Share with friends, on social media, or save for later - every share helps someone find the information they need.