Santa Clara U vs Villanova University

Santa Clara University and Villanova University, both esteemed private institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Santa Clara, nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, boasts a higher acceptance rate (54%) compared to Villanova's selective admissions (32%). While Villanova's student body is predominantly undergraduate (8,600 students), Santa Clara hosts a more balanced mix of undergraduate and graduate students (9,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduates). Both universities excel in academics, with popular majors in business, engineering, and nursing. However, Santa Clara's location in the tech hub provides unique opportunities for internships and career connections. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover more about these universities' graduation rates, student demographics, and other key factors, helping you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	Santa Clara University	Villanova University
Overview
Location	Santa Clara, California	Villanova, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Quarter	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	94.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Catholic	Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	54.0%	25.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $73	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1330 - 1490	1350 - 1490
ACT range	30 - 33	31 - 34
Students submitting SAT score	23.0%	28.0%
Students submitting ACT score	16.0%	17.0%
Total number of applicants	16,848	24,410
Total number of admissions given out	9,095	6,162
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,549	1,772
Yield rate	17.0%	28.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$78,999	$77,806
Average net price	$48,469	$33,123
Tuition	$55,224	$58,290
Room & board	$16,533	Room/dormitory: $8,236 Meal plan: $7,150
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	73.0% Average amount $23,770	52.0% Average amount $43,106
Students receiving federal student loan	24.0% Average amount $5,138	34.0% Average amount $5,267
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $30,446	7.0% Average amount $29,933

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	5,895 Men 52.7% Women 47.3%	7,032 Men 45.6% Women 54.4%
Graduate students	3,023 Men 46.0% Women 54.0%	3,838 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	44.6%	80.7%
International students	12.6%	3.6%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	3,551	5,400
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Washington Colorado Oregon Texas	New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Connecticut Maryland

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Engineering Legal Profession Education Psychology	Business Engineering Health Professions Legal Profession Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio	11:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.9%	91.3%
Dropout rate	9.0%	1.5%
Transferred out	N/A	7.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $125,643 Year 2: $128,588 Year 3: $140,820 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $83,523 Year 2: $103,449 Year 3: $131,051 Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $125,788 Year 2: $104,192 Year 3: $129,018 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $74,729 Year 2: $68,379 Year 3: $100,639 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,066 Year 2: $86,424 Year 3: $96,312 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,547 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $94,288 Law (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $86,424 Year 3: $93,193 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,821 Year 2: $70,456 Year 3: $90,013 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $79,473 Year 3: $88,047 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,828 Year 2: $69,740 Year 3: $87,254	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $114,668 Year 2: $165,766 Year 3: $171,511 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $124,137 Year 2: $100,740 Year 3: $121,765 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,590 Year 2: $109,095 Year 3: $118,365 Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,687 Year 2: $90,856 Year 3: $106,587 Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,782 Year 2: $71,351 Year 3: $91,484 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,757 Year 2: $73,579 Year 3: $88,419 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,583 Year 2: $80,218 Year 3: $88,254 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,297 Year 2: $71,947 Year 3: $86,990 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,492 Year 2: $72,214 Year 3: $85,108 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,115 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $84,596

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key academic differences between Santa Clara University and Villanova University?

Santa Clara University, located in Silicon Valley, often emphasizes programs related to technology, engineering, and business, leveraging its proximity to major tech companies. Villanova University, situated near Philadelphia, has a strong reputation in business, nursing, and engineering, with a notable focus on its liberal arts core curriculum and a strong Augustinian tradition. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, but their specializations and regional strengths differ.
How does the campus environment and culture compare at Santa Clara and Villanova?

Santa Clara University boasts a beautiful, historic campus with a strong sense of community, influenced by its Jesuit values. The campus culture is often described as collaborative and innovative, reflecting its location in the heart of Silicon Valley. Villanova University also has a beautiful campus, known for its strong sense of tradition and school spirit, particularly in athletics. The Augustinian values at Villanova foster a close-knit community with a focus on service and social responsibility. Both campuses offer a vibrant student life, but the specific atmosphere and activities will vary based on the regional culture and institutional traditions.
What are the strengths of the business programs at Santa Clara and Villanova?

Both Santa Clara and Villanova have highly regarded business schools. Santa Clara's Leavey School of Business benefits from its location in Silicon Valley, providing students with unparalleled access to internships and networking opportunities in the tech industry. Villanova's Villanova School of Business is known for its strong finance and accounting programs, as well as its emphasis on ethical leadership and a rigorous curriculum. The best choice depends on your specific career interests within the business field.
How do the athletic programs at Santa Clara and Villanova compare?

Villanova University is renowned for its highly successful Division I athletic programs, particularly in men's basketball, which has won multiple national championships. The university has a strong athletic tradition and a passionate fan base. Santa Clara University also has Division I athletic programs, but they are generally not as prominent nationally as Villanova's. Santa Clara's athletic programs are still competitive within their conferences, and the university offers a good balance of academics and athletics.
What is the cost of attendance and financial aid like at Santa Clara and Villanova?

The cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, is comparable at both Santa Clara and Villanova. Both universities offer financial aid packages, including scholarships, grants, and loans, to help make education more affordable. The specific financial aid awarded will depend on your individual financial circumstances. It's recommended to review the financial aid information on each university's website and complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile applications to determine your eligibility.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at Santa Clara and Villanova?

Both universities provide robust career services to assist students with internships, job searches, and career planning. Santa Clara University's location in Silicon Valley provides students with exceptional access to internships and job opportunities in the tech industry. Villanova University's proximity to Philadelphia and other major cities offers strong connections to various industries, including finance, healthcare, and consulting. Both universities have strong alumni networks that support students in their career pursuits.
How does the location of Santa Clara and Villanova impact the student experience?

Santa Clara University's location in Silicon Valley provides students with access to a dynamic and innovative environment, with numerous opportunities for internships, networking, and exposure to cutting-edge technology. The weather is generally mild year-round. Villanova University's location near Philadelphia offers students access to a major metropolitan area with diverse cultural, social, and professional opportunities. The university is also within easy reach of other major East Coast cities. The location impacts the student experience through access to different industries, cultural experiences, and weather patterns.
What are the religious affiliations of Santa Clara and Villanova, and how does this impact the student experience?

Santa Clara University is a Jesuit institution, and Villanova University is an Augustinian institution. Both religious affiliations influence the universities' values, emphasizing service, social justice, and ethical leadership. While both universities welcome students of all faiths and backgrounds, the religious traditions shape the curriculum, campus culture, and community service opportunities. Students can expect a focus on values-based education and a commitment to serving others.
What are the admission requirements and selectivity of Santa Clara and Villanova?

Both Santa Clara University and Villanova University are highly selective institutions. Admission requirements typically include a strong academic record, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may be in place), letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The specific requirements and selectivity rates may vary slightly from year to year. It's important to review the admission requirements on each university's website and submit a strong application that highlights your academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities.
How do the alumni networks of Santa Clara and Villanova compare?

Both Santa Clara University and Villanova University have strong and active alumni networks. Santa Clara's alumni network is particularly strong in the tech industry, given its location in Silicon Valley. Villanova's alumni network is well-established across various industries, particularly in the Northeast. Both networks provide valuable resources for students and alumni, including career networking, mentorship opportunities, and professional development.

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