Santa Clara, CA · Private University
Is Santa Clara University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$109,183
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$59,241
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$59,241
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$236,964
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.84x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
88.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,162
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$50,959
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Santa Clara University graduates earn $64,183 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Santa Clara University ranked by graduate earnings
45 graduates
91 graduates
60 graduates
67 graduates
17 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Santa Clara University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Santa Clara University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Engineering: $159,782) and the lowest (Natural Resources Conservation and Research: $58,140) is $101,642/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer EngineeringBest ROI | $159,782 | 2.7x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $106,444 | 1.8x |
| Economics | $102,794 | 1.7x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $101,411 | 1.7x |
| Civil Engineering | $100,598 | 1.7x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $99,067 | 1.7x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $98,444 | 1.7x |
| Management Information Systems and Services(1yr data) | $93,042 | 1.6x |
| Mathematics and Computer Science(1yr data) | $91,851 | 1.6x |
| Marketing | $79,997 | 1.4x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $71,818 | 1.2x |
| Biology, General | $70,331 | 1.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $64,616 | 1.1x |
| Public Health | $62,238 | 1.1x |
| Sociology | $62,009 | 1.1x |
| Psychology, General | $58,545 | 1.0x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchLowest | $58,140 | 1.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | 1.84x | $109,183 | Good ROI |
| University of San Francisco | 1.54x | $89,812 | Good ROI |
| Pepperdine University | 1.24x | $82,939 | Average ROI |
| Occidental College | 1.20x | $75,951 | Average ROI |
| Chapman University | 1.12x | $70,070 | Average ROI |
| Scripps College | 1.22x | $77,539 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Santa Clara University offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $109,183 10 years after starting — $64,183 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.2 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.