SCU vs. BYU

Santa Clara University and Brigham Young University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Santa Clara University
Brigham Young University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: SCU (48% admitted vs 67.8%). Typical SAT 1420 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: BYU. Average net price is $16,694 vs $53,883 at SCU.
  • Graduation: SCU 85% vs BYU 78%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: SCU $81,900 vs BYU $69,100 (median).
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Key differences

Santa Clara University Brigham Young University
Acceptance rate
SCU more selective
SCU48%
BYU67.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
SCU higher
SCU1350-1490
BYU1270-1460
Average net price
BYU $37,189 less
SCU$53,883
BYU$16,694
In-state tuition
BYU $54,605 less
SCU$61,293
BYU$6,688
Out-of-state tuition
BYU $54,605 less
SCU$61,293
BYU$6,688
Graduation rate
SCU +7 pts
SCU85%
BYU78%
Median earnings (10 years)
SCU +$12,800
SCU$81,900
BYU$69,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • SCU 18,970
  • BYU 11,698
  • Admitted
  • SCU 9,105
  • BYU 7,929
  • Acceptance rate
  • SCU 48%
  • BYU 67.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • SCU 17.7%
  • BYU 77.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • SCU 1420
  • BYU 1370
  • Typical ACT score
  • SCU 32
  • BYU 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • SCU 3.67
  • BYU 3.89
  • Typical high school grades
  • SCU A-
  • BYU A
  • Admissions standards
  • SCU Exceptional
  • BYU Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • SCU Low
  • BYU Low
  • SAT range
  • SCU 1350-1490
  • BYU 1270-1460
  • ACT range
  • SCU 31-33
  • BYU 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • SCU Test optional
  • BYU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • SCU Jan 7, 2027
  • BYU Dec 16, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • SCU $61,293
  • BYU $6,688
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • SCU $61,293
  • BYU $6,688
  • Room & board
  • SCU $19,893
  • BYU $10,396
  • Average net price
  • SCU $53,883
  • BYU $16,694
  • Average grant aid
  • SCU $28,368
  • BYU $6,088
  • % receiving grant aid
  • SCU 71%
  • BYU 51%
  • Graduation rate
  • SCU 85%
  • BYU 78%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • SCU $81,900
  • BYU $69,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • SCU 84%
  • BYU 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • SCU $21,500
  • BYU $11,000
  • Median loan payment
  • SCU $222
  • BYU $113
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • SCU 11:1
  • BYU 21:1
  • Popular majors
  • SCU
    • Business (33%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • BYU
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Location
  • SCU Santa Clara, CA
  • BYU Provo, UT
  • Setting
  • SCU Midsize City
  • BYU Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • SCU 9,728
  • BYU 35,873
  • Type
  • SCU Private 4 Year
  • BYU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • SCU #61
  • BYU #131

Comparable Facts

Compare Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA with Brigham Young University in Provo, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Brigham Young University is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (35,873 students vs. 9,728 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting); Brigham Young University is in Provo, UT (Midsize City setting).
  • Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Brigham Young University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Clara University 11:1; Brigham Young University 21:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brigham Young University are 47.7% lower than at Santa Clara University ($10,396 vs. $19,893).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 816.5% higher at SCU than at Brigham Young University (about $54,605 more per year; $61,293 vs. $6,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Clara University than at Brigham Young University (71% vs. 51%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Santa Clara University students is 366% larger than aid received by Brigham Young University students ($28,368 vs. $6,088).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at SCU than at BYU (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both SCU and BYU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: SCU Jan 7, 2027; BYU Dec 16, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BYU average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at SCU (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at SCU vs. 77.5% at BYU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Brigham Young University graduates have a $10,500 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($11,000 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, BYU graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($113 vs. $222).
  • More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BYU students, three years after graduation (84% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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