Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara University is a private nonprofit institution located in Santa Clara, California, situated in a midsize city setting. The university has an undergraduate enrollment of 6,552 students and maintains a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1.
Santa Clara University admits 48.0% of applicants, indicating moderately selective admissions where nearly half of applicants gain admission.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 9,123 | 3,663 | 40.2% | 744 |
| Women | 9,720 | 4,598 | 47.3% | 808 |
Santa Clara University admits 48% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Santa Clara University's sticker price is $86,694, while the average net price students pay is $50,062. Students pay considerably less than the full cost of attendance on average.
* One or more income brackets show an unusually low net price, reflecting need-based aid that can reduce cost to near zero for families in that range.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $203.
After aid, Santa Clara University costs $50,062 a year — about 122% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Santa Clara University reports an 88.2% graduation rate. Graduates earn a median of $91,198 six years after entry and $109,183 ten years after entry.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Finance, General | 173 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 104 |
| Psychology, General | 98 |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | 90 |
| Computer Engineering, General | 80 |
| Information Technology | 77 |
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General | 73 |
| Economics, General | 71 |
| Accounting | 53 |
| Political Science and Government, General | 52 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Santa Clara University are $99,543, and 83% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Santa Clara University students earn $91,198 — 101% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Santa Clara University is located in the midsize city of Santa Clara, California, with an undergraduate enrollment of 6,552 students. The student body includes 49.5% women, 16.5% first-generation students, and 11.3% Pell grant recipients.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
375 of 6,105 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
0 of 6,249 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 385 of 3,091 graduate students.
Santa Clara University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Santa Clara University is in Santa Clara, CA, in what IPEDS classifies as a midsize city setting. The campus sits about 2 miles from the center of Santa Clara. There are 7 other colleges within 25 miles, and San Jose, CA is 7.7 miles away.
Santa Clara County scores 13.7 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — above average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 7.9% of Santa Clara's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Santa Clara University reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Santa Clara University reported 3 arrests and 640 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Santa Clara University admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Santa Clara University has an acceptance rate of 48.0%. This means the university receives more applications than available spots and is selective in its admissions process.
Santa Clara University has an undergraduate enrollment of 6,552 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1, providing relatively small class sizes and individual attention.
Santa Clara University has a graduation rate of 88.2%. This reflects the high percentage of students who complete their degrees within the standard timeframe.
The total cost of attendance at Santa Clara University is $86,694 annually. Tuition and fees are $61,293, with the remainder covering room, board, and other expenses.
The average net price at Santa Clara University is $50,062 per year. This is the average amount students actually pay after accounting for grants and financial aid.
11.3% of Santa Clara University students receive Pell Grants, which are federal need-based grants for low-income undergraduate students.
Graduates earn a median of $91,198 six years after entry and $109,183 ten years after entry. These figures reflect career earnings at different stages after graduation.
The median federal debt at graduation is $19,162. About 37.4% of students borrow federal loans, and the three-year loan repayment rate is 88.0%.
Santa Clara University's undergraduate population is 49.5% women. First-generation students make up 16.5% of the student body.
Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, California, a midsize city in the San Francisco Bay Area. The location provides access to a major metropolitan region.