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Santa Clara University: Rankings, Cost, Programs, Placements, Reviews
106 acre campus- Estd. 1851
Last updated on 30 Oct '25Santa Clara UniversityWhat's new?
Santa Clara University admission deadline for Winter intake is Oct 1, 2025, for international students.
About Santa Clara University
Founded in 1851, Santa Clara University is a private Jesuit university in Santa Clara, California. The university offers a wide range of courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels through six academic schools and colleges. Santa Clara's undergraduate and postgraduate programs span areas ranging from Psychology to Sustainable-Energy Engineering and from Theater Arts to Business Analytics. It is one of the most sought-after universities among international students. As of Fall 2022, the university had 6,115 undergraduate students and 3,063 graduate students across its 6 schools and colleges. Santa Clara University acceptance rate is 52%. However, international students require a minimum GPA score of 3.5 to get into the university. This shows that the university's admission process is very selective. Please note that only the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the Leavey School of Business offer undergraduate courses. All other SCU schools and colleges offer graduate courses.
Things to know about Santa Clara University
A few interesting facts about Santa Clara University is as follows:
|
Particulars |
Validation |
|---|---|
|
Establishment |
1851 |
|
Ranking |
#271 in USA by Shiksha Popularity Rankings |
|
GPA Requirements |
3.73 or higher |
|
Location |
Santa Clara, California, USA |
|
Top Majors |
Finance | Psychology | Mathematics |
|
Annual Tuition Cost |
UG - INR 49.14 L - 53.37 L| PG - INR 13.23 L - 59.93 L |
|
Acceptance Rate |
Around 52% |
|
Total Courses |
50+ |
|
Public or Private |
Private Jesuit University |
|
Placement Rate |
77% |
History
Santa Clara University was established in 1851 and is one of the oldest universities in the USA. Father Junipero Serra founded the eighth of the original 21 California missions, Mission Santa Clara de Asis, in 1777. Santa Clara College was started as a preparatory school for only boys. John Nobili and S.J. are the founders and first presidents of Santa Clara College from 1851 to 1856. In 1853, Santa Clara began to offer college programs. At the preparatory and undergraduate levels, Santa Clara College had over 275 students enrolled in 1875. In 1912, the college decided to add the Engineering and Law schools and became the University of Santa Clara. Furthermore, the University acquired Santa Clara University as its official name.
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
Santa Clara University is among the top universities for international students to continue higher education in USA. SCU graduates works for top companies all over the world. Moreover, the graduates are constantly in high demand. According to student's reviews on Shiksha, Santa Clara University has an overall rating of 3.9 stars. Moreover, students have rated Santa Clara University based on various factors that are listed below:
Particulars | Ratings (Out of 5) |
|---|---|
Internships | 3.2 |
Part Time Work | 3.0 |
Post Study Jobs | 4.3 |
Quality of Faculty | 4.7 |
Student Life | 4.7 |
Value of Money | 3.3 |
Public Transportation | 4.1 |
Permanent Immigration | 3.1 |
Safety | 4.6 |
Indian Food | 4.5 |
Santa Clara University is one of the most prestigious universities in the United States for higher education and according to Shiksha Grading SCU has an overall ranking of B+ grade and it offers more than 50 degree programs including majors, minors and special programs. UC Santa Clara graduates are working in top companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and more with the placement rate standing at 77% and the graduates are employed within 6 months of graduation.
Santa Clara graduates from all the streams rank in the top 1-5% of undergraduate national alumni for the pay package demanded by them post-graduation through mid-career. Of the latest, 48% of the evening MBA batch reported that their salary increased or improved in their present workplace and 93% of MBA graduates obtained a job within 6 months of graduation.
Santa Clara University Ranking 2026
Santa Clara University is considered to be one of the top universities in USA. According to Shiksha Popularity Ranking, Santa Clara University ranking stands at #271 in 2025, at national level. Apart from this, the university is also ranked by US News and World Report 2024 at #60 for National University Ranking category and #1631 for Global Universities. The university ranking for US News and World Report at National University Ranking level for 2023 was #55. This shows that the university's position has witnessed a declined trend this year.
Moreover, a few of the Santa Clara University courses are also ranked by Shiksha Popularity Ranking. Below are the course rankings:
| Course name | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2025 |
|---|---|
| BBA | #71 |
| MS | #189 |
| MBA/PGDM | #34 |
| LL.M. | #120 |
#919
#306
Santa Clara University Programs
Santa Clara University is recognized for offering the best academic programs for its international and domestic students. SCU offers a variety of courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels through its six schools and colleges. UC Santa Clara offers more than 50 degree programs, including majors, minors, and special programs. Santa Clara's undergraduate and postgraduate programs span areas ranging from Psychology to Sustainable - Energy Engineering and from Theater Arts to Business Analytics. Only the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the Leavey School of Business offer undergraduate programs. Whereas, all SCU schools offer graduate programs. Check below all the academic colleges and schools of SCU:
| SCU Schools and Colleges | |
|---|---|
| College of Arts and Sciences | Leavey School of Business |
| School of Engineering | School of Education and Counselling Psychology |
| School of Law | Jesuit School of Theology |
A graphical representation of top programs chosen by SCU alumni is as follows:
Top Courses Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University top courses that are ranked by Shiksha Popularity Rankings is as follows:
|
Top Courses |
Shiksha Popularity Rankings |
|---|---|
|
MS |
#189 |
|
Biomedical Engineering |
#134 |
|
Electrical Engineering |
#153 |
|
MBA |
#34 |
|
BBA |
#71 |
|
Engineering |
#178 |
|
LL.M. |
#120 |
|
Business & Management |
#44 |
|
Law |
#120 |
3.9(6)10 months - 2 yearsAnjali + 15 others got admitted through us.
Guided 4.4K students to USA universities.
13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
SCU offers over 50 majors, minors and special programs for Law, Medicine, and Teaching with their own course specific deadlines, requirements and criteria that vary and some of the popular course available at SCU are Mechanical Engineering, Business Analytics, Economics, Accounting, Psychology, Marketing, Political Science and Government, Finance, MBA etc.
UC Santa Clara is known for offering the best academic programs for its students. Santa Clara University offers various programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels for its international and domestic students. SCU offers over 50 majors, including majors, minors, and special programs for its students. Some of the top majors at the Santa Clara University are as follows:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Finance
- Mathematics
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Entrepreneurship
- Psychology
- Business Analytics
- Accounting
- Economics
- Speech Communication
- Electrical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Political Science
- Biology
- Marketing
Santa Clara University is known for offering the best academic programs for its international and domestic students. SCU offers over 50 degree programs, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and special programs. UC Santa Clara courses that are ranked by Shiksha Popularity rankings is as follows:
Top Courses | Shiksha Popularity Rankings |
|---|---|
MS | #189 |
Biomedical Engineering | #134 |
Electrical Engineering | #153 |
MBA | #34 |
BBA | #71 |
Engineering | #178 |
LL.M. | #120 |
Business & Management | #44 |
Law | #120 |
Santa Clara University Admissions 2026
Santa Clara University offers a wide range of courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Each year, the university takes admission through four tracks; Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Early Action, and Regular Decision. International students can apply online through the 'Common Application' portal for any course at the university.
Admission Deadlines
Check below the SCU admission deadlines for undergraduate courses:
| Intake | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Winter | Oct 1, 2025 |
Santa Clara University Admission Requirements for International Students
Santa Clara University admission requirements for international students may vary from course to course. Check below the SCU requirements for international students:
SCU UG Requirements
- Completed Application form
- Official high school transcripts
- One academic teacher evaluation (through Common App)
- Secondary school report form (through Common App)
- Proof of English proficiency
SCU PG Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- Work experience
- All previous academic reports
- GRE/GMAT
- Resume/CV
- Personal statement
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Interview (optional)
Santa Clara University English Language Requirement
|
Exam |
Minimum Score (UG) |
Minimum Score (PG) |
|---|---|---|
|
6.5 |
7.0 |
|
|
90 |
100 |
|
|
120 |
125 |
Acceptance Rate
Santa Clara University acceptance rate is 52%, which makes it competitive to secure admission.
Application Fees
The Santa Clara University application fee (non-refundable) for international students is USD 70 (INR 5,856).
USD1 = INR 83.66
- Application fees :USD 40 - 148
- Type of deadline :Regular
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Santa Clara University is among the top universities in the United States. International students must fulfill admission requirements at SCU. Students must submit all the required documents and meet the English language requirement at Santa Clara University. The admission deadlines for postgraduate courses vary from each other. Therefore, international students are advised to check the admission deadlines for their courses before applying to the university. Furthermore, the UC Santa Clara admission deadline for international students of UG programs is listed below:
Particulars | Deadline |
|---|---|
Winter | Oct 1, 2025 |
Santa Clara University acceptance rate is 52%, which makes it competitive to secure admission for international students. This figure shows that for every 100 students only 52 students will get admitted to SCU. The University offers a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programs for its international and domestic students.
UC Santa Clara offers top academic programs for its international students. Additionally, SCU offers admission for international students in four intakes namely Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Early Action, and Regular Decision. Moreover, International students can apply at SCU via the 'Common Application' portal for both UG and PG programs. International students must meet the entry-level requirements at the University. Along with this, international students must fulfill the English language requirements at Santa Clara University. Furthermore, the Santa Clara University application fee is USD 70 (INR 5,856) which is non-refundable.
Conversion used: USD 1 - INR 83.66
Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara University Scholarships
Santa Clara University offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid for its students. The university is committed to helping students and their families find ways to make Santa Clara University affordable. Students seeking higher education in the university can qualify for financial aid. Check below the types of scholarships offered at Santa Clara University:
|
Name of Scholarships |
UG or PG Program |
|---|---|
|
Merit Scholarships |
UG |
|
Pandita Ramabai International Scholarship Fund |
UG |
|
Santa Clara University President's Belize Scholarship (in collaboration with the Government of Belize) |
UG |
|
Undergraduate Fellowships for Students without U.S. Citizenship |
UG |
|
Business School Graduate Merit Scholarship |
PG |
|
ECP Tuition Scholarships and Endowed Scholarships |
PG |
|
Partial-Tuition Scholarship (25%-75%); Full-Tuition Scholarships |
PG |
|
SCU Food Insecurity Program |
Both |
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
SCU is one of the most esteemed universities for higher education in the United States. Santa Clara University offers a range of scholarships for its international students. Moreover, some of the SCU scholarships for international students is as follows:
- Merit Scholarships
- Pandita Ramabai International Scholarship Fund
- Santa Clara University President's Belize Scholarship (in collaboration with the Government of Belize)
- Undergraduate Fellowships for Students without U.S. Citizenship
- Business School Graduate Merit Scholarship
- ECP Tuition Scholarships and Endowed Scholarships
- Partial-Tuition Scholarship (25%-75%); Full-Tuition Scholarships
- SCU Food Insecurity Program
First-year applicants are the only students eligible for merit-based scholarships. Applicants do not need to submit an additional application for these scholarships. These scholarships are reviewed at the time of admission. Check below the minimum eligibility for merit scholarships at Santa Clara University:
- Must meet satisfactory academic progress
- Indexed to tuition increases
- Coordinated with federal, state and other University aid
- Recipients selected at the time of admission
- International students are eligible for consideration
- Not reserved for gap-year students
18 monthsSanta Clara UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
17 Verified Reviews- 6% students never faced discrimination in this university
Santa Clara University Placements
SCU is recognized for having the highest placement rate in the United States. UC Santa Clara placement rate attracts students from all over the world. Santa Clara University placement rate is 77%, and the graduates were employed within six months of graduation. The University of Santa Clara graduates are always in high demand worldwide. Additionally, SCU placement highlights are mentioned below:
- The Santa Clara University graduates are employed by top companies such as Google, Apple, Cisco, Amazon, NVIDIA, and more.
- SCU graduates work in leading sectors including Business Development, Engineering, Information Technology, Marketing, Product Management, and others.
- UC Santa Clara graduates are highly skilled in Leadership, Management, Strategic Planning, Marketing, Strategy, etc.
- The top programs preferred by SCU alumni include Finance, Computer Science, Psychology, Marketing, Computation Science, and others.
ROI After Education from Santa Clara University
The average salary of Santa Clara University graduates is USD 87,300 (INR 72.93 LPA) per year.
Conversion used: USD 1 - INR 83.55
Top Employers
Some of the top employers at Santa Clara University are given below:
- Apple
- Cisco
- Amazon
- NVIDIA
- Microsoft
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Meta
- Salesforce
- Adobe
Top Recruiters
Commonly asked questions On Placements
The graduates of Math & Natural Sciences in 2020 saw the highest pay package of USD 85k followed by Engi graduates who were offered an average salary of USD 83k lastly the lowest average salary package was given to Social Sciences graduates with the salary amount being USD 51000.
Santa Clara University employability rate is 77%, and the graduates were employed within six months of graduation. SCU's employment rate attracts students from all over the globe. Additionally, University graduates are consistently in high demand worldwide. UC Santa Clara graduates are highly skilled in Leadership, Management, Project Management, Marketing, Strategy, and more. Santa Clara University graduates are working in leading sectors such as Business Development, Engineering, Operations, Education, Sales, Finance, etc. Also, SCU graduates are working in top companies such as:
The government sector had most of the employees from the university’s Social Sciences college and only 2% of graduates from Leavey School of Business were employed in the same. In the Private, for-profit sector, most of the employees obtained from Santa Clara were from Leavey School of Business, with 96% of graduates being employed. Similarly, in the non-profit sector Math & Natural Sciences graduates were the most employed from the university.
Santa Clara University Fees
Santa Clara University tuition fee & duration vary from program to program. SCU tuition fees for Indian students is affordable. Additionally, the average tuition fee for undergraduate programs at UC Santa Clara ranges from INR 49.14 L - 53.37 L. Moreover, the UC Santa Clara average tuition fee for postgraduate programs ranges from INR 13.23 L - 59.93 L. Check the table mentioned below to know more about the courses, fees, and duration & eligibility:
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MS(14 courses) | INR 19 L - 47 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 10 months-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 79 - 100, PTE, Duolingo: 110 - 120, GRE, GMAT |
MBA/PGDM(4 courses) | INR 19 L - 47 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 10 months-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 90 - 100, PTE, Duolingo: 110 - 120, GMAT, GRE |
M.A.(9 courses) | INR 14 L - 30 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 12 months-3 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 79 - 90, PTE, Duolingo: 110 & Above |
B.E. / B.Tech(10 courses) | INR 52 L - 56 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 79 - 90, PTE: 61 & Above, Duolingo: 110 & Above, IELTS: 6.5 & Above |
B.Sc.(12 courses) | INR 53 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 90 & Above, PTE, Duolingo |
B.A.(22 courses) | INR 53 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 90 & Above, PTE, Duolingo |
BBA(8 courses) | INR 53 L - 56 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 90 & Above, PTE: 61 & Above, Duolingo, IELTS: 6.5 & Above |
B.Ed(1 course) | INR 53 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: TOEFL: 90 & Above, PTE, Duolingo |
Executive MBA/PGDM(1 course) | INR 63 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 20 months Exam Accepted: GMAT, GRE, IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE, Duolingo: 120 & Above |
LL.M.(1 course) | INR 35 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 90 & Above, PTE, Duolingo |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
SCU offers plethora of programme at UG and PG levels with specific criteria and requirements that must be fulfilled by applicants in order to take admission including a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 and above mostly.
Santa Clara UniversityStudent profile
Others
57%
Asian
21%
Hispanic
18%
Black
3%
In state
50%
Out of state
42%
Foreign
7%
24 and under
98%
25 and over
1%
UG Number of Applicant
Overall Graduation Rate
UG Enrollment
PG Enrollment
Santa Clara University Notable Alumni
Santa Clara University is one of the oldest universities in the USA and has a strong alumni network all over the world. UC Santa Clara has more than 111,161 alumni members, who are working worldwide. The University alumni network includes leaders, innovators, dreamers, mentors, and game changers. Some of the famous personalities that are part of the University alumni network are Jorma Kaukonen, Pansy Ho, Kurt Rambis, Zoe Lofgren, and more. A few more notable alumni of Santa Clara University are listed below:
|
Name of Personality |
Profession |
Picture |
|---|---|---|
|
Shemar Moore |
American Actor |
|
|
Gavin Newsom |
American Politician |
|
|
Steve Nash |
Canadian Professional Basketball |
|
|
Jerry Brown |
American Lawyer, Author, and Politician |
|
|
Khaled Hosseini |
Afghan-American Novelist |
|
|
Max Baer, Jr |
Actor, Producer, Comedian, and Director |
|
|
Leon Panetta |
American Politician and Government Official |
|
|
Reza Aslan |
Writer & Television Host |
|
|
Julie Ertz |
Professional Soccer Player |
|
|
Michael Trucco |
American Actor |
|
Santa Clara University Vs Arizona State University Vs Texas A&M University: Which is better?
Santa Clara University, Arizona State University and Texas A&M University are some of the top universities in US. For higher studies it is suggested to consider some important factors such as geographical conditions, rankings, popular programs and fees.
A comparison of the universities are mentioned below
|
Criteria |
Santa Clara University |
Arizona State University |
Texas A&M University |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Location |
500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053, United States |
1151 S Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ, United States |
400 Bizzell St, College Station, TX 77840, United States |
|
Acceptance Rate |
44% |
90% |
63% |
|
Popular Programs |
Mechanical Engineering, Marketing |
Business Management, Marketing |
Business Administration, Engineering
|
|
Tuition Fee (MS) |
INR 18.9 L-INR 45.79 L |
INR 18.27 L-INR 54.31 L |
INR 13.05 L-INR 50.2 L |
|
Shiksha Popularity Rankings |
#271 |
#45 |
#58 |
Compare Santa Clara University with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 19.33 L - 46.7 L | #59 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 11.64 L - 18.41 L | #139 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 12.39 L - 27.23 L | #1279 US News, 2025 | |
| INR 10.95 L - 20.17 L | #1542 US News, 2025 | |
| INR 13.48 L - 20.31 L | -/- | |
| INR 13.06 L - 26.26 L | #208 US News, 2026 |
CompareSanta Clara UniversityStudying in USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Santa Clara University Student Life
Located in Santa Clara, California, the Santa Clara University campus offers a vibrant & enriching campus enviornment full fo diversity, innovation & fun. Studies at SCU are not just limited to classrooms, the university campus offers a plethora of opprtunities to students to learn & showcase their talents as part of a number of academic & cultural events that take place regularly over the course of the academic year.
Clubs & Organizations
There are a number of student clubs & organizations for students to be a part of, learn & have fun with their fellow batch-mates & form meaningful relationships.
Some most prominent student clubs include: Google Developer Student Club (GDSC), AI Collaborate, Blockchain @ SCU, Game Night Club & Smash @ SCU, among others.
Dining
There are not many better ways out there to unwind after a hectic day of studies, than with a hot & fresh meal & sitting next to friends. The university campus maintains a number of dining facilities that operate throughout the day & serve a number of delicious cuisines.
Students can also hang out by food trucks located around the campus to have a snack or lunch. The food trucks offer a new cuisine every week.
Housing
For Housing, students can opt to stay as part of the university's on-campus residential communities that offer all necessary resources needed to maintain a decent student life including: Wi-Fi, Bedrooms, laundry, kitchen, bathroom & gym among others.
For more information, please refer the university's official housing portal.
Commonly asked questions On Others
The Santa Clara University is known to offer a great study environment to its students. As per reviews posted by students on Shiksha Study Abroad, the overall student consensus around the university can be described as satisfactory.
Majority of the student reviews state, that their university experience was great. This is evidenced by the fact that the institute attains 4.7 stars out of 5 for Student Life & 4.6 stars out of 5 for Safety.
The university's events are described as valuable & fulfilling while the faculty is said to possess great in-depth knowledge of their respective areas of studies.
Santa Clara University
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
SCU offers an 18 month Computer Science and Engineering programme for international students which ranked #122 as per US News and World Report 2025 and is an excellent option for those seeking a career in software development, the AI-driven industry, and research opportunities. The curriculum is bas
T
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 3 months ago
Santa Clara provides over 50 programs to its students. The business school of SCU is also known as the Leavey School of Business, offering courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. MBA from SCU can cost around INR 19L - 45 L for the first-year under both, offline and online modes. Moreover t
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
Santa Clara has many notable alumni, some of whom include Shemar Moore, Gavin Newsom, Nash, Khaled Hosseini, Michael Trucco, Julie Ertz, Nicole Shanahan, Paul Kantner, Andy Devine, and Pansy Ho, among others.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 months ago
According to the official class profile of 2027, the expected GPAs from international students vary by department. For students pursuing Arts and Science, they must aim between 3.56 and 3.88, whereas students of the School of Business must score between 3.6 and 3.89. In addition, the GPA expectation
M
Contributor-Level 8
Answered 5 months ago
Santa Clara University's MS in Computer Science is taught under the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. The Computer Science programme is inclined towards designing and implementing software and hardware, and solving real-world problems using effective methods. Students willing to take p
E
Contributor-Level 8
About the author
Study Abroad Expert
Santa Clara University
Sobrato Campus
Science Building
Science Lab
Santa Clara UniversityLocation
| University City | Santa Clara, California, USA |
| Size of city | Medium |
| Population of City | 1,27,000 |
Santa Clara UniversityCampuses
500 El Camino Real Santa Clara, CA 95053
Visit official siteSanta Clara UniversityContact Information
500 El Camino Real Santa Clara, CA 95053
Santa Clara ( California)
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