Santa Clara University's published cost of attendance is $82,026. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $22,985, middle-income families pay around $26,531, and higher-income families pay approximately $60,678.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $82,026 |
| Tuition and Fees | $61,293 |
| Room and Board | $19,893 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,062 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$31,964 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $50,062 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $22,985 |
| $30–48k | $19,154 |
| $48–75k | $26,531 |
| $75–110k | $37,219 |
| $110k+ | $60,678 |
Santa Clara University's published cost of attendance is $82,026. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $22,985, middle-income families pay around $26,531, and higher-income families pay approximately $60,678. Azimuth ranks Santa Clara University #1398 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Santa Clara's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid packages combining grants, loans, and work-study. The university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The gap between published cost and net price reflects the institution's commitment to meeting demonstrated financial need, though the depth of that commitment varies by income band. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,162, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $56,271; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $108,517, median federal debt of $19,162 projects to a monthly payment of about $217 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Santa Clara University earn median 4-year earnings of $108,517, placing Santa Clara University in the 99.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs well above the $67,139 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn about $23,786 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Santa Clara University in the 97.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Santa Clara University #18 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern at Santa Clara University is anchored by Business, which accounts for 24% of degrees and consistently drives the institution's strongest financial outcomes. Finance stands out as the highest aggregate-return program, combining substantial cohort scale with strong four-year pay — a combination that shapes the institution's overall earnings profile. The Finance program graduates 160 students with median earnings of $118,737 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks the program #12 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions . Communication and Media Studies and Psychology, General round out the high-earning tier, with graduates earning $84,206 and $75,742 respectively four years after enrollment — both well above the national benchmark for their fields. Programs in Social Sciences (13% of graduates) and Engineering (12% of graduates) contribute additional breadth, though the institution's earnings signature is most concentrated in its business and professional fields, which align closely with CA's high-demand labor markets in technology, finance, and consulting.
