Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$48,284
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$21,104
$30k - $48k
$19,242
$48k - $75k
$22,654
$75k - $110k
$31,505
$110k+
$43,052
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$57,534
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$57,534
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$17,112
Books and Supplies
$1,152
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
76%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
11%
Average Aid Per Year
$25,424
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
11%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,834
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$24,163
Students receiving state aid
9%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$9,058
Students receiving federal aid
13%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,834
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$47,869
$30k - $48k
$50,789
$48k - $75k
$44,679
$75k - $110k
$39,527
$110k+
$20,598
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$72,882,168
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$37,643,661

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
28%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$7,695
Students receiving federal loans
28%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,063
Average Other Loans Per Year
$30,924
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$17,167
Loan Default Rate
2%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$190

What Students Are Saying

As they say, you get what you pay for. As a private university it assures high quality service, and Santa Clara does not disappoint at all. If you can afford it, or if you're riding on merit money (kinda like me), then I would definitely put this college on your list.
Bao from San Jose, CA
Santa Clara University is quite expensive but I believe that the whole experience makes up for every single penny. Also, the financial aid department is quite giving even in these times of economic downfall.
Mark from Castro Valley, CA
Santa Clara University is on the pricier side of California schools, due to its Jesuit history and status as a private university. However, it's worth every dollar. San Jose State is cheaper, it's true; with about $7000 to $10000 a year, the price tag looks quite attractive. But, what they won't tell you is that at SJSU your engineering lectures can have up to 600 students (I kid you not, I attended some of them while looking for colleges), and SCU lectures are generally capped at 50. I've never had a class larger than 40 students here, and most of my classes have less than 30 students. The quality of education is so much higher than other less expensive schools that I know I'm going to be well prepared after graduation thanks to the direct, personal style of teaching encouraged here.
Stephanie from Los Gatos, CA
Santa Clara is expensive, but it is worth the money. I have friends at state schools who just aren't getting the same attention from professors or the school. We get great academic and career guidance. Also, having a Santa Clara degree will help in finding a job because of Santa Clara's great reputation!
Celina from San Jose, CA
There's been renovation going on for a few years and it's continuing. The new business building has U shaped classrooms with really comfortable chairs. The gym is fantastic and there's a salt water pool. The library is new with PC/Mac computers. The campus is gorgeous: gardens with roses, fountains, and perfect green grass are everywhere. The teachers are professionals and can be reached by the students easily. There's also so many resources that are easily available.
Deni from CA
While Santa Clara University is a private university and thus has a higher cost of attendance than state schools and other colleges, I believe its worth the money we are paying. Aside from the beautifully maintained campus, Santa Clara allows for its students to really make the most of their educational experience. They do so by providing relatively small class sizes, so that students are given more attention than classes with hundreds of kids. In this way, it is also much easier to communicate with professors, as one does not have to compete with 300 other kids to have their questions answered. The professors are always available, whether it is in person or by email, and they are extremely happy to help and in fact urge us to ask them questions. In addition, it is much easier to sign up for classes at Santa Clara than at bigger state schools because it is a private school, and thus has much more flexibility in opening up new classes. The university does all it can to ensure the students get the classes they need, though it can't always guarantee they will get the desired times. But overall, Santa Clara University provides its students with numerous resources, top quality professors, easily accessible facilities and various food choices that make it well worth the money.
Anna from Sunnyvale, CA
Very expensive, but it is worth it.
Nicole
The only reason I gave four stars and not five is because Santa Clara is a very expensive university. However, for schools in a comparable price range Santa Clara is unmatched in location and job opportunities for students and graduates.
Logan from CA