Silicon Valley Access Meets Small-Class Academic Support
Santa Clara University is an outstanding match scoring 91/100. The school excels in nearly every priority area: exceptional Business/Marketi...
AI Recommendation
Santa Clara University is an outstanding match scoring 91/100. The school excels in nearly every priority area: exceptional Business/Marketing programs (#68 nationally) with unmatched Silicon Valley internship access (70%+ participation), perfect 10:1 student-faculty ratio for teacher support, 300 sunny days with beach/mountain access, Division I walk-on dance team opportunities, and vibrant non-commuter campus culture. The 94% career placement rate and $75,000+ Business major starting salaries demonstrate strong outcomes. Minor considerations include moderate (not intense) school spirit compared to major state schools and significant tuition cost ($58,680), but the combination of academic strength, ideal weather/location, small classes, and career opportunities make this a highly recommended choice.
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Performance vs. Average College
Score Breakdown
Top Strengths
6
- 1 Perfect 10:1 ratio with small classes (15-35 students) and strong professor accessibility for needed academic support
- 2 Exceptional Silicon Valley location provides unmatched internships (70%+ participation) and 94% job placement with $75,000+ Business salaries
- 3 Ideal climate with 300 sunny days, 30 min to beaches, access to mountains/hiking - perfect for nature and sunshine lover
- 4 Strong Business/Marketing program (#68 nationally, AACSB accredited) with tech industry partnerships and digital marketing focus
- 5 Division I Dance Team with walk-on tryouts plus multiple club dance options (Lavish hip-hop, cultural teams)
- 6 NOT a commuter school - 95% retention rate, active weekends, vibrant campus community without Greek life exclusivity
Things to Consider
5
- 1 High tuition cost ($58,680) with moderate financial aid - 40% of graduates have $28,000 average debt
- 2 School spirit is moderate, not Big 10/SEC intensity - basketball games popular but lacks major football culture
- 3 Psychology and Pre-PT programs less distinguished than Business school, though still viable pathways
- 4 Required Jesuit theology/ethics courses - ensure comfort with Catholic mission-driven education model
- 5 48% live on campus and some students go home weekends, though campus stays active and retention is 95%
Detailed Research
Internships
Exceptionally strong due to Silicon Valley location. 70%+ of students complete at least one internship. Strong partnerships with tech companies, startups, and Bay Area businesses. Business school has dedicated internship coordinator.
Avg Class Size
Lower division classes: 25-35 students; Upper division: 15-25 students; Business classes average 30 students
Teaching Style
Jesuit education model emphasizes discussion-based learning, case studies, and experiential learning. Business school particularly strong in applied learning with real client projects. Less lecture-heavy than large state schools.
Academic Support
Drahmann Advising & Learning Resources Center offers tutoring, writing support, and academic coaching. Small class sizes ensure professor accessibility. Peer tutoring free for all students. Office hours well-attended and encouraged.
Career Placement
94% of graduates employed or in graduate school within 6 months. Average starting salary $72,000 (2023 data). Business majors average $75,000-$80,000.
Program Rankings
- No specific pre-law major but Political Science (#101 nationally) and Philosophy programs are strong feeders. 80%+ law school acceptance rate for qualified students.
- Leavey School of Business is AACSB accredited and ranked #68 nationally by US News (2024). Known for strong Silicon Valley connections and ethics focus.
- Marketing concentration available within Business major. Strong emphasis on digital marketing and brand management with tech industry partnerships.
- Psychology program offers BA/BS options with research opportunities. Not highly ranked nationally but solid regional reputation.
- Strong biology and kinesiology programs. No dedicated pre-PT track but excellent advising. Students typically pursue Biology or Public Health major.
Student Faculty Ratio
10:1
Greek Life
NO Greek life - prohibited by Jesuit mission. Social scene centers around clubs, sports teams, residence halls, and off-campus parties/gatherings.
Social Scene
Active social scene without Greek life. Party culture exists but not overwhelming. Students describe it as balanced - work hard/play hard mentality. Off-campus houses host parties. Downtown San Jose and SF provide nightlife options for 21+. Strong club involvement creates social networks.
School Spirit
Moderate to strong school spirit. Division I athletics (WCC conference) with basketball being most popular. Bronco pride evident but not SEC-level intensity. Students attend basketball games regularly, especially vs Gonzaga rivalry. Strong traditions include Relay for Life, Benson Bash, and Grand Reunion.
Retention Rate
95% freshman retention rate
Graduation Rate
90% six-year graduation rate
Weekend Activity
NOT a commuter school despite location. 48% of students live on campus, and campus remains active on weekends. However, many students do go into San Francisco or San Jose on weekends. Thursday-Saturday nights are social. Campus activities board hosts regular events.
Political Climate
Predominantly liberal to moderate. Jesuit values promote social justice and service (10,000+ volunteer hours annually). Some conservative presence but campus leans left. Generally respectful discourse encouraged.
Setting
Urban campus in Silicon Valley. Located in Santa Clara (adjacent to San Jose), 1 mile from downtown San Jose. Campus feels like an oasis with mission-style architecture and palm trees despite urban location.
Sunny Days
Approximately 300 sunny days per year. Mediterranean climate with mild, dry summers (70s-80s) and cool, wet winters (50s-60s). Minimal rain from May-October. Ideal weather year-round.
Nature Access
Excellent nature access. 30 minutes to Santa Cruz beaches, 45 minutes to Big Sur, 1 hour to various state parks and hiking (Castle Rock, Big Basin). 3 hours to Yosemite, Lake Tahoe for skiing/snowboarding. Campus has Japanese garden and beautiful landscaping.
Transportation
VTA light rail station on campus provides access to San Jose and Bay Area. Free Caltrain access for students to SF. Campus shuttle services. Bike-friendly campus. Most students don't need cars but many have them for weekend adventures. Uber/Lyft readily available.
Nearest Airport
San Jose International Airport (SJC) - 3 miles away (10 minutes). San Francisco International (SFO) - 35 miles (45 minutes). Oakland International (OAK) - 40 miles.
Surrounding Area
Santa Clara is suburban/urban mix. Downtown San Jose (1 mile) offers restaurants, nightlife, SAP Center for concerts/Sharks games. Silicon Valley tech campus tours available. San Francisco 45 minutes north. Santana Row (upscale shopping/dining) 10 minutes away. Safe campus area but urban environment.
Dance Team
SCU Cheer & Dance Team - Division I spirit squad supporting basketball and other sports. Team competes at UDA College Nationals. Walk-ons accepted through tryouts held in spring (April/May). Team practices 10-15 hours/week. Mix of competitive routines and sideline/game day performances. Also: SCU Dance Team (club level, more recreational), Lavish (hip-hop), and various cultural dance clubs.
Recreation
- Malley Fitness and Recreation Center - 94,000 sq ft facility with cardio equipment, weights, basketball courts, group fitness classes (yoga, spin, Zumba). Pat Malley Fitness Center. Outdoor pool. Leavey Event Center (arena).
- Robust intramural program including flag football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, softball. Co-rec and competitive leagues. Club sports include lacrosse, rugby, ultimate frisbee, sailing, cycling, skiing/snowboarding (trips to Tahoe).
Food Quality
Above average campus dining. Benson Memorial Center has main dining hall with diverse options. Marketplace offers grab-and-go. Bronco Grille, Starbucks on campus. Meal plans required for on-campus residents. Students rate dining 7/10. Many excellent off-campus options in diverse Bay Area.
Campus Beauty
Stunning Spanish Mission-style architecture. Historic Mission Santa Clara de Asís on campus (founded 1777). Palm tree-lined walkways, rose gardens, and well-manicured lawns. Central Mission Gardens provide peaceful study spots. Consistently ranked among most beautiful West Coast campuses. 106-acre campus feels spacious and park-like.
Housing Quality
Guaranteed housing for 2 years, 48% of students live on campus. Freshman dorms (Dunne, Sanfilippo, Campisi) are traditional style, newer and well-maintained. Sophomore options include suite-style (Swig, Graham). Juniors/seniors often move to off-campus apartments/houses nearby. Campus neighborhoods create community feel. Housing rated good quality with AC in most buildings.
Dance Team Contact
Athletics Department: (408) 554-4063. Spirit Squad email: scuspiritsquad@scu.edu. Cheer & Dance Coach information available through Athletics website. Tryout information posted on SCU Spirit Squad Instagram @scuspiritsquad
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