SCU vs. U of R

Comparable Facts

Compare Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA with University of Rochester in Rochester, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Rochester is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (11,946 students vs. 9,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Santa Clara University is located in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting); University of Rochester is in Rochester, NY (Midsize City setting).
• Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Rochester is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Clara University 11:1; University of Rochester 9:1.

SCU vs. U of R Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCU or U of R? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Rochester than SCU ($40,462 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Rochester are 0.5% lower than at Santa Clara University ($19,792 vs. $19,893).
• University of Rochester is 9.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SCU (about $5,787 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at U of R than at Santa Clara University (about $5,787 more per year; $67,080.00 vs. $61,293.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rochester than at Santa Clara University (72% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rochester students is 60.4% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($45,500 vs. $28,368).

SCU vs. U of R Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCU or U of R? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between U of R and SCU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Rochester (1480) is 60 points higher than at SCU (1420).
• Incoming SCU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 32) as students at U of R (32).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Santa Clara University 1350/1490; University of Rochester 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Santa Clara University 31/33; University of Rochester 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); U of R - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: SCU Jan 7, 2027; U of R Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman U of R students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at SCU (3.67).
• SCU has a higher acceptance rate (48%) than U of R (40.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.7% at SCU vs. 15.4% at U of R.

SCU vs. U of R Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCU and U of R? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Santa Clara University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Rochester's (83%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than U of R graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $71,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Clara University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than U of R graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, SCU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of R graduates ($222 vs. $253).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of R students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 79%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.