Head-to-Head Analysis
This analysis was generated using Azimuth's proprietary framework. Our data model transforms federal education data into actionable insights. Learn about founder Daniel Rogers, explore our research methodology, or see how we think about this data.
Updated January 2026 • Santa Clara, CA & Hoboken, NJ
When students choose between Santa Clara University and Stevens Institute Of Technology, they're comparing two high-performing private institutions that deliver remarkably similar outcomes at different price points. Both schools rank in the 83rd percentile nationally on Azimuth's comprehensive analysis.
Both produce median earnings exceeding $108,000 ten years after enrollment. The data reveals virtually identical career outcomes despite a significant cost gap.
This comparison highlights the importance of fit over rankings when schools perform at similar levels.
Median Student Debt at Graduation
$19,162
federal loans
$27,000
federal loans
Median Parent PLUS Loans
$56,271
borrowed by parents
$53,192
borrowed by parents
Santa Clara is predominantly business-focused, with 25% of graduates earning degrees in business fields. Stevens is engineering-dominant, with 57% of graduates in engineering programs — making it one of the most specialized technical institutions in our database.
Santa Clara's largest programs include Finance (149 graduates), Communication (122), and Psychology (105). Stevens concentrates on Mechanical Engineering (141), Business Administration (89), and Computer Engineering (76).
These program differences shape career trajectories but, notably, both paths lead to similar earnings at the median.
For students prioritizing financial value with technical career goals, Stevens Institute Of Technology delivers identical earnings outcomes at $10,491/year less than Santa Clara. Stevens offers deep engineering specialization (57% of graduates) with strong job market positioning in the Northeast corridor.
Santa Clara provides broader program diversity in Silicon Valley with slightly higher effective lifetime value but substantially higher upfront costs. The data points to Stevens as the stronger financial choice for engineering-focused students, while Santa Clara may justify its premium for business students seeking West Coast networks.
Both deliver excellent outcomes — the right choice depends on your career path, geographic preferences, and family's financial capacity.
Key Takeaway
The numbers are close, but the best school depends on your goals, values, and career aspirations.
This comparison was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
This comparison uses Azimuth's proprietary ROI model based on U.S. Dept. of Education data. View Full Methodology.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid.
