Graduates earn among the highest incomes nationally, with outcomes that significantly exceed peer expectations.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Santa Clara University graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time with strong acceleration in earning capacity. Median earnings progress 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 measurement point.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduates from this institution significantly outperform peers — earnings are 73% higher than similar schools.
Financial justification for the investment.
Excellent affordability. Median debt of $19,162 is well under annual earnings, enabling comfortable repayment.
Santa Clara University graduates carry median debt of $19,162, which compares favorably to the peer median of $24,181, resulting in $5,019 less debt than typical institutions. Debt levels range from $10,167 at the 25th percentile to $27,000 at the 75th percentile, indicating moderate variation in borrowing patterns among graduates.
Santa Clara University delivers exceptional return on investment, ranking at the 98.5th percentile nationally with performance among the highest we track. This outstanding return reflects the combination of strong earnings outcomes and controlled educational costs relative to post-graduation income potential.
Approximately 22.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both immediate workforce entry and ad...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
Program-level earnings demonstrate the breadth of strong career outcomes across academic disciplines at Santa Clara University. Computer Engineering leads with exceptional median earnings of $159,782, followed by Electrical and Electronics Engineering at $109,788.
Business programs show consistent strength with Banking and Financial Support Services at $106,444, Applied Economics at $102,794, and Accounting Technology at $101,411. Mechanical Engineering graduates earn $99,067, while Bioengineering produces graduates earning $98,444.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings outcomes show meaningful variation reflecting diverse career paths and academic programs. The distribution spans from $70,946 at the 25th percentile to $160,882 at the 75th percentile, representing a 2.3:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles.
