Head-to-Head Comparison
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology vs Santa Clara University
- Rose-Hulman Technology Wins
- 11
- Tied
- 15
- Santa Clara Wins
- 24
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Santa Clara University achieves a higher graduation rate (88% vs 80%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $50,062 compared to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's $42,513. Students who choose Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $101,253 at ten years.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Rose-Hulman Technology
- Lower cost: Average net price of $42,513, roughly $7,549 a year less
Santa Clara
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, 8% more than Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Higher grad rate: 88% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $19,162, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 48% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Rose-Hulman Technology graduates concentrate in Engineering (73% of degrees); Santa Clara in Business & Marketing (27%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Santa Clara University over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment vs $101,253.
Pick Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology over Santa Clara University. Net price $42,513 vs $50,062.
Pick Santa Clara University over Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. 88% completion rate vs 80%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Santa Clara University are close on paper, but Santa Clara University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Santa Clara University is the harder admit. It takes 48% of applicants, while Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology takes 77%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,427 to 1,426.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Santa Clara University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $42,513, about $7,549 a year below Santa Clara University's $50,062. Graduates of Santa Clara University also borrow less: median debt of $19,162, against $25,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $30,196 before any change in aid. Choosing Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Santa Clara University graduates report median earnings of $109,183, compared with $101,253 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. That is a 8% advantage. Set against borrowing, Santa Clara University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.25x.
So what: An earnings gap of 8% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Santa Clara University graduates a larger share of its students, 88% versus 80%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 8% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to keep costs and debt down; pick Santa Clara University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology saves about $7,549 a year, yet Santa Clara University graduates earn $7,930 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, while Santa Clara University leans toward Business & Marketing, Social Sciences. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,000, against $19,162 at Santa Clara University.
- Business and consulting-track students: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has less business program depth, and Santa Clara University offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $50,062 runs well above Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's $42,513.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Santa Clara University's enrollment, and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Santa Clara University's enrollment of 6,552 far exceeds Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's 2,309.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Santa Clara offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Rose-Hulman Technology does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Terre Haute, IN · Private nonprofit
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduates earn an impressive average of $101,253 within ten years of completing their degree. This strong earning potential highlights the value of a degree from this private nonprofit institution, with a focus on engineering and technical disciplines.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for Rose-Hulman, making it challenging to assess economic mobility comprehensively. However, the school's 80% graduation rate suggests that most students are successfully completing their programs. This retention rate is crucial for students considering their long-term career prospects and financial outcomes.
Students at Rose-Hulman face a net price of $42,513, with a median debt of $25,000 upon graduation. Despite the cost, the earnings potential can make this investment worthwhile. Those who thrive here typically have a strong interest in STEM fields, as the top programs are concentrated in engineering, computer science, mathematics, and the sciences.
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA · Private nonprofit
Santa Clara University has a graduation rate of 88%, indicating strong student success and support. This high rate suggests that students are not only enrolling but also completing their degrees in a timely manner, which is crucial for their future careers.
The earnings data for graduates is impressive. Ten years after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $109,183. This figure highlights the potential return on investment for students considering their financial futures. However, with a net price of $50,062 and median debt at $19,162, students should weigh the cost of attendance against their anticipated earnings.
Students who thrive at Santa Clara typically pursue majors in Business & Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Communications, or Psychology. The campus environment supports those who are motivated and engaged in their studies. With a moderate acceptance rate of 48%, the university attracts a diverse group of students ready to take advantage of the academic opportunities available.
Rankings They Appear On
Santa Clara University is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Communications ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Rose-Hulman Technology's top program is Mechanical Engineering (73% of enrollment), while Santa Clara leads with Business Administration (27%).
Rose-Hulman Technology
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Rose-Hulman Technology) and Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Santa Clara).
The two schools feed different job markets. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Mathematics & Statistics, Physical Sciences, while Santa Clara University concentrates in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Communications. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Santa Clara University?
Santa Clara University is harder to get into, admitting 48% of applicants compared with 77% at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Santa Clara University?
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $42,513 after aid versus $50,062 at Santa Clara University.
Do Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Santa Clara University graduates earn more?
Santa Clara University graduates earn more: median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, versus $101,253 at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Which has a better graduation rate, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Santa Clara University?
Santa Clara University has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 80%.
Should you choose Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Santa Clara University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Santa Clara University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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