Head-to-Head Comparison
Santa Clara University vs University of Connecticut
- Santa Clara Wins
- 23
- Tied
- 8
- Connecticut Wins
- 17
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Connecticut 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 University of Connecticut's $25,097 for in-state paths. Students who choose University of Connecticut benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $73,997 at ten years.
48 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, 48% more than University of Connecticut
- 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
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 48% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Connecticut
- Lower cost: Average net price of $25,097, roughly $24,965 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Santa Clara graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (27% of degrees); Connecticut in Business & Marketing (13%). 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 University of Connecticut. Median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment vs $73,997.
Pick University of Connecticut over Santa Clara University. Net price $25,097 vs $50,062.
Pick Santa Clara University over University of Connecticut. 2.2% mobility rate vs 1.7%.
Pick Santa Clara University over University of Connecticut. 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 University of Connecticut are close on paper, but Santa Clara University wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 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 University of Connecticut takes 52%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,426 to 1,348.
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, University of Connecticut comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $25,097, about $24,965 a year below Santa Clara University's $50,062. Graduates of Santa Clara University also borrow less: median debt of $19,162, against $21,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $99,860 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Connecticut 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 $73,997 at University of Connecticut. That is a 48% advantage. Set against borrowing, Santa Clara University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 48% 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 5% 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.
Moving people up
Santa Clara University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.2%; at University of Connecticut, it is 1.7%. University of Connecticut also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.7% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.6%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Santa Clara University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of Connecticut to keep costs and debt down; pick Santa Clara University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of Connecticut saves about $24,965 a year, yet Santa Clara University graduates earn $35,186 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 Engineering, while University of Connecticut leans toward Health Professions. 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 University of Connecticut's $25,097.
- Engineering-focused students: Santa Clara University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Connecticut's enrollment of 19,835 far exceeds Santa Clara University's 6,552.
Full Data Breakdown
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 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
Research (Times HE) 4 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.
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT · Public
More than 19,800 students call the University of Connecticut home, making it one of the largest public universities in New England. With an acceptance rate of 52%, it balances accessibility and selectivity, welcoming a diverse range of students to its Storrs campus.
Graduates from UConn see a strong return on investment, with a median earnings figure of $73,997 ten years after graduation. Although specific mobility rates are not available, the high graduation rate of 84% suggests that the majority of students successfully complete their degrees, which is a strong indicator of positive outcomes for those who enroll.
Attending UConn costs an average net price of $25,097, while 25% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to helping lower-income students access higher education. With a median debt of $21,500, graduates leave with manageable financial burdens. Students thrive in programs like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, and Engineering, where strong career paths are prevalent.
Rankings They Appear On
Santa Clara University and University of Connecticut are featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Communications ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Business Administration as their top enrolled program field, comprising 27% of Santa Clara's student body and 13% of Connecticut's.
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 Connecticut).
The two schools feed different job markets. Santa Clara University is strongest in Communications, while University of Connecticut concentrates in 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 University of Connecticut?
Santa Clara University is harder to get into, admitting 48% of applicants compared with 52% at University of Connecticut.
Which is more affordable, Santa Clara University or University of Connecticut?
University of Connecticut is more affordable, with an average net price of $25,097 after aid versus $50,062 at Santa Clara University.
Do Santa Clara University or University of Connecticut graduates earn more?
Santa Clara University graduates earn more: median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, versus $73,997 at University of Connecticut.
Which has a better graduation rate, Santa Clara University or University of Connecticut?
Santa Clara University has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 84%.
Santa Clara University vs University of Connecticut: which is better for social mobility?
Santa Clara University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.2% versus 1.7%.
Should you choose Santa Clara University or University of Connecticut?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Connecticut 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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