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University of Silicon Valley: Rankings, Cost, Programs, Placements
- Private University
- Estd. 1887
Last updated on 28 Apr '25USVWhat's new?
As such, there is no application deadline for the University of Silicon Valley. However, the university follows trimester calendar. On Sep 4, 2025, there is a housing move-in for the Fall 2025 semester.
About University of Silicon Valley
Established in 1887, the University of Silicon Valley is a private, non-profit university in San Jose, California. The University of Silicon Valley campus is located in the heart of Silicon Valley. There are 5 major departments at the university, namely Digital Art & Animation, Game Design & Development, Audio, Music & Technology, Computer Science, Business Entrepreneurship & Innovation. USV is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission. Additionally, the Princeton Review ranked USV in the top 25 schools on their list of UG Schools to study Game Design in 2023.
As per the curriculum, 12 course options are available to students. The degrees that are offered are Bachelor of Science, BBA, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, UG Certificate, PG Certificate, and Diploma courses. According to the facts of 2022, the total number of undergraduates at this university is 350+. The University of Silicon Valley acceptance rate is around 42%. This means that the university is very selective at the time of admission.
Student Enrollment over the years
|
Years |
UG Student Enrollment |
|---|---|
|
2013-14 |
609 |
|
2014-15 |
662 |
|
2015-16 |
717 |
|
2016-17 |
760 |
|
2017-18 |
690 |
|
2018-19 |
756 |
|
2019-20 |
739 |
|
2020-21 |
629 |
|
2022 |
352 |
Things to know about USV
Some of the facts about USV are:
|
Particulars |
Stats |
|---|---|
|
Acceptance rate |
42% |
|
Courses offered |
Around 12 |
|
Type of courses offered |
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Diploma, Certificate, etc. |
|
Total no. of UG students |
352 |
|
Student-to-faculty ratio |
11:1 |
|
Annual tuition fees |
Around INR 6 L – INR 22 L |
History
The University of Silicon Valley was established in 1887, when Dr. Cogswell established Cogswell Polytechnical College. The institution was focused on providing technical education for boys and business education for girls. The original campus building was occupied in 1888. The college adapted to changing times and ventured into diverse domains, offering Electrical Engineering courses in 1970s and 1980s, followed by Game Design, Digital Audio, and Animation in later years. Finally, in 2021, the university formally took the name “University of Silicon Valley”.
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
Yes, the University of Silicon Valley is accredited with Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission. WSCUC is a regional accrediting agency that is recognised by the United States Department of Education. The courses at this university are offered in various disciplines Digital Art & Animation, Game Design, Game Art, Business Administration, Business Innovation, etc. The university's acceptance rate is around 42%. This means that it is a very selective university at the time of admission.
The University of Silicon Valley ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges in Regional College West is #13 in 2025 as per a top-ranking publisher. As per the facts for Fall 2022, the total number of undergraduate students at the university is 352. Also, the acceptance rate of USV is around 42%. This means that the university is quite selective at the time of admission. Additionally, a wide range of degrees are offered at this university such as UG, PG, Certificate, Diploma, etc.
The University of Silicon Valley campus size is 3 acres. According to a top-ranking publisher, this university's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges in Regional College West is #13 in 2025. The total number of undergraduate students at the university is 350+. Around 12 degree courses are offered such as BA, BS, Certificate, Diploma, Master's courses. The student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1.
University of Silicon Valley Courses
USV offers 12 courses. Majorly, the courses that are offered are UG and PG. Certificate and Diploma courses are also offered. Study areas of the courses offered at this university are Digital Art & Animation, Game Design, Game Art, Software Development, Business Administration, etc. The degrees that are offered at this university are BA, BS, BBA, Diploma, Graduate Certificate, MA, etc. Know more about the University of Silicon Valley courses.
As per the details available unofficially, some of the University of Silicon Valley courses studied by the alumni are Digital Arts; Game and Interactive Media Design; Design and Visual Communications; Computer Science; Animation, Interactive Technology, etc.
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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
The University of Silicon Valley offers 12 courses. The study levels on which the courses are offered are UG, PG, Certificate, Diploma, etc. At the Master's level, one course namely Master of Business Innovation is offered. On the other hand, at the Bachelor's level, courses like BA in Digital Art & Animation, Game Design, Game Engineering, etc. are offered. The Certificate level courses that are available are Certificate in Electronic Music Production, Certificate in Audio Recording, and Graduate Certificate in Project Management.
The duration of USV Master of Business Innovation course at USV is 1.5 – 2 years. By studying this course, students can dive into the world of business model innovations, entrepreneurial marketing, digital transformation and social media. The first-year tuition fee for this course is around INR 9 lakh. The potential job roles for which a student can go for are Innovation Manager, Business Development Manager, Project Manager, Operations Manager, etc. The graduates of this course have gone onto work for top companies like Intel, Sony, Disney, Microsoft, and Apple.
The University of Silicon Valley BBA course has a small class size which means that students can have a personalized education. The teachers of this course are exceptional instructors. The first-year tuition fee of this course is around INR 19 Lakh and the cost of living is around INR 34k. The graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies like Apple, Microsoft, Intel, Sony, etc. This course empowers students to thrive in the dynamic world of business with a focus on the creative fields.
University of Silicon Valley Admissions 2025
Students can apply to USV by filling out an online application form. After submitting the application, students are required to submit the supporting documents.
Admission Requirements for International Students
Some of the general University of Silicon Valley requirements are given below:
For admission to UG courses, international students have to submit high school transcripts. On the other hand, for admission to PG courses, the applicants are required to have a UG degree. For Diploma and Certificate programs eligibility, do check the official website.
The applications are required to submit IELTS / TOEFL as proof of English language proficiency. The language of instruction at this university is English. Minimum scores required in these tests are:
|
Tests |
UG Scores |
PG Scores |
|---|---|---|
|
TOEFL |
|
|
|
IELTS |
6.5 |
7.0 |
Acceptance Rate
The University of Silicon Valley acceptance rate is 42%. This means that the university is quite selective at the time of admission.
Eligibility
Some of the documents required to apply to USV are:
- Official academic transcripts: high school or college
- Current valid passport
- Financial support form
- English language proficiency test score
- Intent transfer form
- Application fees :No Fees
- Type of deadline :Regular
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
International students can apply to USV by applying directly to the university. Post submitting the application, connect with an admissions advisor. After this, students are required to submit supporting documents. Lastly, check where students rank in the placement assessments. The documents required to apply to this university are:
- Official academic transcripts: high school or college
- Financial support form
- Current valid passport
- English language proficiency score report
- Intent transfer form
USV accepts IELTS / TOEFL scores for admission. Here are the minimum scores required in these tests:
Tests | UG Scores | PG Scores |
|---|---|---|
IELTS | 6.5 | 7.0 |
TOEFL | 69 (iBT) 525 (Paper-Based) 197 (Computer-Based) | 69 (iBT) 525 (Paper-Based) 197 (Computer-Based) |
Once students have submitted the application, they can prepare for arrival at USV. After being accepted into the programme and having paid USD 500 (towards F-1 visa) as enrollment fee, students will be issued an o-20 form. Once students have met with the Embassy in their home country, students should contact USV's Designated School Official to notify the school about the travel arrangements to the U.S. With this visa, students are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA while at USV and mandated to remain full-time. Also Check: Application Process for USA
USVUniversity of Silicon Valley Scholarships
A number of scholarships are offered by the University of Silicon Valley. However, to receive financial assistance, students are required to meet all the requirements. To be considered for any aid, the applicants are required to complete the specific scholarship application, essay, and submit the application, and verification documents. They are also required to maintain a certain GPA to take admission. Some of the scholarships offered by the university are:
- Dragon Scholarship: Up to USD 500
- Dragon Plus Scholarship: Up to USD 1,000
- Business Entrepreneurship & Innovation Scholarship: 10% tuition scholarships (Eligible for master’s students)
- HS Seniors of Distinction Scholarship: USD 1,000
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
The University of Silicon Valley Women in Business and Computer Science Scholarship is available for female students enrolled in the university's BBA or BS in CS degree. Students applicable for this programme must provide valid, unexpired government-issued identification that validates the gender of the candidate as female.
All the applications with supporting documents should be received by one of the following methods email or mail in person. These applications must be sent to the Financial Aid Office as per the specific deadlines. The applications sent to departments other than the Financial Aid office will become ineligible if not forwarded and received at the Financial Aid office. Make sure all the applications, essays, supporting documents contain signatures as required.
USV Popular Courses
1 yearUniversity of Silicon Valley Placements
The Career Advisor at USV offers one-on-one sessions to students who want to avail the services. Some of the assistance that students get at this university includes resume building, identifying where a student’s career interests lie, etc. The graduate employment assistance at this university also offers mock interviews.
Alumni Statistics: Sectors Placed
Some of the job sectors where the alumni of the University of Silicon Valley work are:
- Engineering
- Arts and Design
- Operations
- Business Development
- IT
- Media and Communication
- Sales
- Customer Success and Support
ROI after Education from USV
As per an unofficial source, the median salary of the graduates of USV is around USD 39,802 (Around INR 34 lakh). The tuition fee at this university ranges between INR 6 lakh - INR 22 lakh per year.
Top Employers
The graduates of the University of Silicon Valley have gone on to work with companies like Cisco, Apple, Microsoft, Intel, Lockheed Martin, IBM, Oracle, Fantasy Studios, etc.
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Yes, international students at the University of Silicon Valley can work while studying. Full-time students can work up to 20 hours per week, depending on the academic load and Federal Work Study Abroad. Students may work in an office, for a professor, or for a college department on special projects.
University of Silicon Valley alumni have gone onto work with companies like Apple, Cisco, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, IBM, Intel, Oracle, Fantasy Studios, etc. Other recruiters are:
- Cryptic Studios
- Grimm Bros
- Artella
- Fantasy Studios
- Square Panda
- Electronic Arts
- Crystal Dynamics
University of Silicon Valley Fees
The average tuition fee at this university ranges between INR 6 lakh – INR 22 lakh per year. The tuition fees as per the study levels can be checked from the table given below:
|
Course level |
Annual Tuition Fee in INR |
|---|---|
|
UG |
INR 15.62 L - 21.73 L |
|
PG |
INR 5.53 L - 9.48 L |
Cost of Living: Students studying at USV have to pay the living expenses too. These will vary as per the students’ lifestyle. However, an estimated amount is given below:
|
Particulars |
UG Fees (With Student housing) |
PG Fees (With Student housing) |
|---|---|---|
|
Books & supplies |
USD 200 |
USD 200 |
|
Housing fee |
USD 6,695 |
USD 6,695 |
|
Student housing application fee |
USD 300 |
USD 300 |
Note: There may be other fee components that students have to pay while studying at USV and to know this, students can check out the official website. Know the detailed USV tuition fees.
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
UG Diploma(1 course) | INR 23 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 69 & Above |
B.E. / B.Tech(5 courses) | INR 20 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 69 & Above |
BBA(1 course) | INR 20 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 69 & Above |
MBA/PGDM(1 course) | INR 10 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 18-24 months Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 69 & Above |
MS(1 course) | INR 10 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 18-24 months Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 69 & Above |
PG Certificate(1 course) | INR 6 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 14-28 weeks Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 69 & Above |
B.A.(1 course) | INR 20 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 69 & Above |
UG certificate(2 courses) | INR 16 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 69 & Above |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
The full-time tuition fee for UG courses at USV is USD 10,740 (Around INR 9 lakh). Whereas, the tuition fee for PG courses is USD 4,491 (Around INR 4 lakh). Additionally, students are required to pay the housing fee as well which is around USD 6,695 (Around INR 5.7 lakh). These are the annual tuition fees for the first-term. The course-wise tuition fee is given below:
Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
MS (1 course) | INR 9 L |
MBA/PGDM (1 course) | INR 9 L |
BBA (1 course) | INR 20 L |
BA (1 course) | INR 20 L |
BE / BTech (5 courses) | INR 20 L |
MS7 Diploma (1 course) | INR 22 L |
UG certificate (2 courses) | INR 16 L |
PG Certificate (1 course) | INR 6 L |
In the University of Silicon Valley, students have to pay the living expenses too, besides the tuition fee. These expenses will vary as per the students' lifestyle. However, an estimated amount is given below:
Particulars | UG Fees (With Student housing) | PG Fees (With Student housing) |
|---|---|---|
Books & supplies | USD 200 (Around INR 17k) | USD 200 |
Housing fee | USD 6,695 (Around INR 5.7 L) | USD 6,695 |
Student housing application fee | USD 300 (Around INR 25k) | USD 300 |
Note: There may be other fee components that USV students have to pay and to know this, students can check out the official website.
University of Silicon Valley Notable Alumni
A few of the notable alumni of USV are DJ Qbert (Filipino Musician), John Oceguera (Former speaker of the Nevada Assembly), and Gertrude Boyle Kanno (American Sculptor). Some of the notable alumni of the University of Silicon Valley who were part of the teams of the award-winning films are Lyndsay Pearson, Julie Cortes, Drake Rose, Chase Adams, etc. The designation of the notable alumni is given below:
|
Names |
Designation |
|---|---|
|
Lyndsay Pearson |
Sr. Producer at EA Redwood Shores |
|
Chase Adams |
Lead Animator at Barbed Wire Studios |
|
Drake Rose |
Gameplay Engineer at Manticore Games |
|
Julie Cortes |
Environment Artist at Manticore Games |
|
Ryan Rogers |
Academy “Best Visual Effects”- Life of Pi |
|
Britney Thoreson |
Background Designer at Cartoon Network / Nickelodeon |
The images of the notable alumni of this university are given below:
| Names | Images |
|---|---|
| John Oceguera (Former speaker of the Nevada Assembly) |
 |
| DJ Qbert (Filipino Musician) |
 |
| Gertrude Boyle Kanno (American Sculptor) |  |
Commonly asked questions On Alumni
The famous celebrities studied at USV are DJ Qbert (Filipino Musician), and Gertrude Boyle Kanno (American Sculptor), and John Oceguera (Former speaker of the Nevada Assembly). Also, there have been a few graduates of this university who were a part of some of this university are:
Names | Designation |
|---|---|
Drake Rose | Gameplay Engineer at Manticore Games |
Chase Adams | Lead Animator at Barbed Wire Studios |
Lyndsay Pearson | Sr. Producer at EA Redwood Shores |
Julie Cortes | Environment Artist at Manticore Games |
Ryan Rogers | Academy “Best Visual Effects”- Life of Pi |
Britney Thoreson | Background Designer at Cartoon Network / Nickelodeon |
USVCollege comparison
Compare USV with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 22.61 L | -/- |
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University of Silicon Valley Campus Life
To enjoy the campus life at USV, students can take part in the student clubs such as Associate Student Body, Cosplay Club, Gaming Club, Anime Club, etc. Additionally, students can live in the on-campus housing. Apartment complexes are available for students.
Campus Location
USV is located in San Jose, California, USA. The campus size of this university is 3 acres.
Commonly asked questions On Others
A few of the things that students must bring to college housing while entering USV are:
- Computer and printer
- Clothes hangers
- Sheets, pillows, blankets
- Hands sanitizer
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Hand soap
- Food and spices
- Dishes
- Silverware
- Gloves
- Laundry basket
- Cooking utensils
The luxury apartments at the University of Silicon Valley have all the amenities. USV student housing comprises 3 luxury apartment complexes such as Verdant, Venue and Elan. These apartment complexes are within walking distance from campus less than ¼ mile from the Baypointe and Tasman Light Rail stations. These apartments offer plenty of storage, pool, fitness rooms, parking, etc. Generally, the housing fee at USV is around USD 6,695 (Around INR 5.7 L).
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USVLocation
| University City | San Jose, California, USA |
| Size of city | Large |
| Population of City | 10,35,317 |
USVContact Information
191 Baypointe Pkwy, San Jose, CA 95134, United States
San Jose ( California)
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