Santa Clara University delivers exceptional earnings outcomes at the 99th percentile nationally while maintaining debt levels below peer institutions. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university combines strong post-graduation results with selective admission standards, supporting outstanding long-term financial outcomes for enrolled students.
With tier designation among the highest we track, driven by outstanding long-term earnings relative to educational investment
As modestly below average, reflecting higher net costs relative to national benchmarks
Around the national average, indicating typical enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to all institutions
With strong performance, reflecting the university's ability to generate earnings growth for enrolled students
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisSanta Clara University delivers outstanding earnings outcomes with manageable debt levels for enrolled students. Graduates earn a median of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 99th percentile nationally among all institutions we track.
Earnings range from $70,946 at the 25th percentile to $160,882 at the 75th percentile, reflecting strong outcomes across diverse career paths and academic programs. The institution generates $14,436 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 90.6th percentile nationally on this value-added measure.
Students seeking strong post-graduation earnings with selective admissions standards, particularly in engineering, business, and finance. Well-suited for those who can afford higher net costs in exchange for exceptional career outcomes.
Santa Clara University's Selective Achievers designation reflects strong earnings performance while serving fewer low-income students than typical institutions.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
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.
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This is the Santa Clara University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/santa-clara-university/analysis.
Exceptional return on investment outcomes
Santa Clara University excels in return on investment, ranking at the 98.5th percentile nationally with return performance among the highest we track. Located in Santa Clara, California, this medium-sized private nonprofit university maintains selective admission standards with a 43.8% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional post-graduation outcomes.
The institution enrolls 10.9% Pell-eligible students and 16.5% first-generation students, placing it below typical access measures but with strong outcomes for enrolled students. Graduates earn $14,436 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 90.6th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $109,183 ten years after enrollment, placing Santa Clara University at the 99th percentile for long-term earnings performance. This combination of selective admissions and outstanding economic outcomes positions Santa Clara University within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions deliver strong post-graduation results while serving fewer low-income students than peers.
Santa Clara University admits approximately 43.8% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 2 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Santa Clara University in the selective admissions category, requiring competitive academic credentials for admission consideration.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% demonstrates that Santa Clara University maintains more selective standards than typical four-year institutions, admitting 26.7 percentage points fewer applicants than peer schools. This level of selectivity means that academically qualified students face meaningful competition in the admission process, though acceptance rates remain more accessible than highly selective institutions.
Students applying to Santa Clara University should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates as backup options. The university's selective standards reflect its position as a high-demand institution with strong post-graduation outcomes, attracting more applicants than available enrollment spots.
For prospective students, this selectivity level indicates the importance of presenting competitive academic credentials while maintaining realistic expectations about admission likelihood. Students should treat Santa Clara University as a target school if their academic profile aligns with enrolled student characteristics, while also considering alternative institutions with similar outcomes but different admission patterns.
Computer Engineering, General.
77 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
23 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
149 graduates
Applied Economics.
94 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
86 graduates
Santa Clara University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome analysis. Computer Engineering ranks #1 nationally with exceptional performance, producing 77 graduates with median earnings of $159,782 and a perfect value score of 100.0.
Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #6 nationally and #1 in California, graduating 149 students with median earnings of $106,444 and representing the university's largest program by enrollment. Accounting Technology ranks #3 nationally and #1 in California, with 86 graduates earning $101,411.
Communication and Media Studies ranks #5 nationally and #2 in California, graduating 122 students with median earnings of $71,818. Applied Economics ranks #28 nationally and #5 in California, with 94 graduates earning $102,794.
Psychology, General ranks #18 nationally and #4 in California, graduating 105 students with median earnings of $58,545, demonstrating the university's strength across multiple academic disciplines.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Santa Clara University's published cost of attendance reaches $77,768 per year, including $59,241 in tuition, $18,984 for room and board, and $939 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $50,959 after financial aid, representing savings of $26,809 from the sticker price.
This net price significantly exceeds the peer median of $27,143, making Santa Clara University $23,816 more expensive than comparable institutions annually. The higher net costs reflect the institution's positioning as a selective private university with limited need-based aid relative to student financial circumstances.
Net prices vary substantially by family income, ranging from $36,094 for families earning under $30,000 to $60,212 for families earning over $110,000. This $24,118 spread between lowest and highest income tiers indicates some financial aid targeting, though all income levels face substantial costs.
For families seeking more affordable alternatives, peer institutions provide similar educational quality at significantly lower net prices, making cost comparison essential for enrollment decisions.
Santa Clara University graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over time with exceptional final outcomes. Median earnings rise from $91,198 six years after enrollment to $99,543 at eight years and $109,183 at ten years, representing 19.7% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on cohorts of 937 to 1,144 graduates across measurement periods, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $14,436 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Santa Clara University at the 90.6th percentile for earnings uplift performance.
Low-income graduates earn $88,000, ranking among the top 5% nationally, demonstrating strong mobility outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The earnings distribution spans from $70,946 at the 25th percentile to $160,882 at the 75th percentile, reflecting substantial variation in career paths and field choices.
Approximately 22.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both immediate workforce entry and advanced education pathways. Compared to peer institutions with median earnings of $63,066, Santa Clara University graduates earn $46,117 more annually, demonstrating exceptional relative performance.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
California State University Maritime Academy Higher acceptance rate (54.9 percentage points higher) and located 52 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 99% | $94,784 | Compare |
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Higher acceptance rate (14.7 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | MA | 59% | $103,470 | Compare |
Rose-Hulman Institute Of Technology Higher acceptance rate (29 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | IN | 73% | $101,253 | Compare |
University Of San Francisco Same state (41 miles away) (earnings difference: 17.7%) and similar program focus; same institution type | CA | 51% | $89,812 | Compare |
Stanford University Same state (14 miles away) (earnings difference: 13.6%); same institution type | CA | 4% | $124,080 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Depaul University Similar quality tier (#289 ranked) | IL | 74% | $68,751 | #289 | Compare |
University Of The Cumberlands Similar quality tier (#293 ranked) | KY | 71% | $45,036 | #293 | Compare |
University Of San Francisco Similar quality tier in West (#296 ranked) | CA | 51% | $89,812 | #296 | Compare |
Dominican University Similar quality tier (#269 ranked) | IL | 80% | $60,327 | #269 | Compare |
Case Western Reserve University Similar quality tier (#268 ranked) | OH | 29% | $87,989 | #268 | Compare |
