Head-to-Head Comparison
Santa Clara University vs Texas A&M University-College Station
- Santa Clara Wins
- 14
- Tied
- 17
- Texas A&M Wins
- 19
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Texas A&M University-College Station offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Santa Clara University achieves a higher graduation rate (88% vs 84%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $50,062 compared to Texas A&M University-College Station's $21,315 for in-state paths. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Texas A&M University-College Station's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Santa Clara
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, 51% more than Texas A&M University-College Station
- Higher grad rate: 88% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 48% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Texas A&M
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,315, roughly $28,747 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $17,804, the lower of the two
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Santa Clara graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (27% of degrees); Texas A&M in Engineering (17%). 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 Texas A&M University-College Station. Median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment vs $72,097.
Pick Texas A&M University-College Station over Santa Clara University. Net price $21,315 vs $50,062.
Pick Santa Clara University over Texas A&M University-College Station. 88% completion rate vs 84%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Santa Clara University and Texas A&M University-College Station are close on paper, but Santa Clara University wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 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 Texas A&M University-College Station takes 57%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,426 to 1,280.
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, Texas A&M University-College Station comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $21,315, about $28,747 a year below Santa Clara University's $50,062. Graduates of Texas A&M University-College Station also borrow less: median debt of $17,804, against $19,162.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $114,988 before any change in aid. Choosing Texas A&M University-College Station 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 $72,097 at Texas A&M University-College Station. That is a 51% 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 51% 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 84%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% 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 Texas A&M University-College Station 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. Texas A&M University-College Station saves about $28,747 a year, yet Santa Clara University graduates earn $37,086 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. Santa Clara University concentrates enrollment in Social Sciences, while Texas A&M University-College Station leans toward Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $50,062 runs well above Texas A&M University-College Station's $21,315.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Texas A&M University-College Station's enrollment of 59,615 far exceeds Santa Clara University's 6,552.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Texas A&M holds onto its admits more tightly: 38% of admitted students enroll, versus 18% at Santa Clara — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Santa Clara offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Texas A&M does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Santa Clara, where only about 34% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
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
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.
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station, TX · Public
With an enrollment of nearly 60,000 students, Texas A&M University-College Station is a bustling hub for those interested in fields like Engineering, Business, Biology, and Health Professions. This diverse community suits students who thrive in a large, spirited environment and are looking for practical, career-oriented education. The 57% acceptance rate indicates a competitive yet accessible admissions process, welcoming a broad range of students keen on making an impact in their chosen fields.
When it comes to life after graduation, the figures speak volumes. Graduates earn an impressive average of $72,097 in their first decade, reflecting the solid return on investment that comes with a degree from Texas A&M. This earning potential, coupled with a graduation rate of 84%, illustrates that many students not only complete their degrees but also step into well-paying jobs. With 20% of students receiving Pell Grants, the university is also working to support students from diverse financial backgrounds.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,315, which is manageable considering the earning prospects. The median debt of $17,804 is reasonable, especially when weighed against the potential earnings. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are self-motivated and ready to engage in a collaborative and energetic college culture, preparing them well for their careers ahead.
Rankings They Appear On
Santa Clara University is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Communications ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Santa Clara's top program is Business Administration (27% of enrollment), while Texas A&M leads with Mechanical Engineering (17%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Santa Clara) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Texas A&M).
The two schools feed different job markets. Santa Clara University is strongest in Social Sciences, Communications, while Texas A&M University-College Station concentrates in Biology & Biomedical, Health Professions. 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.
Santa Clara
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Santa Clara University or Texas A&M University-College Station?
Santa Clara University is harder to get into, admitting 48% of applicants compared with 57% at Texas A&M University-College Station.
Which is more affordable, Santa Clara University or Texas A&M University-College Station?
Texas A&M University-College Station is more affordable, with an average net price of $21,315 after aid versus $50,062 at Santa Clara University.
Do Santa Clara University or Texas A&M University-College Station graduates earn more?
Santa Clara University graduates earn more: median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, versus $72,097 at Texas A&M University-College Station.
Which has a better graduation rate, Santa Clara University or Texas A&M University-College Station?
Santa Clara University has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 84%.
Should you choose Santa Clara University or Texas A&M University-College Station?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Texas A&M University-College Station 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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