Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Santa Clara University at a Glance
Santa Clara University is a private Jesuit university in Santa Clara, California, United States. Established in 1851, Santa Clara University is the oldest operating institution of higher learning in California. The university's campus surrounds the historic Mission Santa Clara de Asís which traces its founding to 1777. The campus mirrors the Mission's architectural style and contains Mission Revival architecture and other Spanish Colonial Revival styles. The university is classified as a "Doctor…
1851
175 years old
$1.6B
$1.555 billion (2024)
9,635
6,484 undergrad · 3,151 grad
911
106 acres
Identity
Is Santa Clara University Worth It?
Santa Clara University offers moderate value at $50,062/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $109,183, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 88% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
Median student debt of $19,162 is manageable at just 18% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
How Santa Clara University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #4 of 5 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Bentley University | 70 | $37,930 | $120,959 |
| #2 | University of San Diego | 59 | $30,365 | $86,522 |
| #3 | Stevens Institute of Technology | 58 | $41,346 | $108,772 |
| #4 | Santa Clara University | 48 | $50,062 | $109,183 |
| #5 | Providence College | 39 | $48,523 | $87,054 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Santa Clara University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in CA.
Best Programs at Santa Clara University
The highest-earning program at Santa Clara University is Computer Engineering at $93,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Public Health at $31,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Engineering graduate from Santa Clara University earns $93,300, while a Public Health graduate earns $31,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Engineering graduates carry $24,500 in median debt vs. $23,918 for Public Health.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $50,062/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $93,300 | $93,300 | $24,500 |
| Civil Engineering | $72,500 | $72,500 | $17,409 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $70,400 | $70,400 | $20,500 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $68,100 | $68,100 | $19,500 |
| Economics | $65,600 | $65,600 | $19,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $65,300 | $65,300 | $20,000 |
| Marketing | $51,200 | $51,200 | $21,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $43,000 | $43,000 | $18,742 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $41,400 | $41,400 | $24,894 |
| Political Science and Government | $39,900 | $39,900 | $19,500 |
| Biology, General | $38,100 | $38,100 | $24,499 |
| Psychology, General | $33,800 | $33,800 | $19,449 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $31,800 | $31,800 | $20,499 |
| Public Health | $31,400 | $31,400 | $23,918 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Santa Clara, CA
- Student Body
- 6,552 students
- Admission Rate
- 48%
- Graduation Rate
- 88%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $50,062
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $109,183
- Median Student Debt
- $19,162