Head-to-Head Comparison
Santa Clara University vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Santa Clara Wins
- 14
- Tied
- 18
- Illinois Urbana-Champaign Wins
- 22
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Santa Clara University achieves a higher graduation rate (88% vs 85%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $50,062 compared to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's $14,355 for in-state paths. Students who choose University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $81,054 at ten years.
54 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, 35% more than University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- 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
Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Lower cost: Average net price of $14,355, roughly $35,707 a year less
- More selective: Admits 42% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Santa Clara graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (27% of degrees); Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Engineering (21%). 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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment vs $81,054.
Pick University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign over Santa Clara University. Net price $14,355 vs $50,062.
Pick Santa Clara University over University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 88% completion rate vs 85%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Santa Clara University and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the harder admit. It takes 42% of applicants, while Santa Clara University takes 48%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,426 to 1,440.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $14,355, about $35,707 a year below Santa Clara University's $50,062. Graduates of Santa Clara University also borrow less: median debt of $19,162, against $19,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $142,828 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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 $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. That is a 35% advantage. Set against borrowing, Santa Clara University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.24x.
So what: An earnings gap of 35% 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 85%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 3% 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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign saves about $35,707 a year, yet Santa Clara University graduates earn $28,129 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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leans toward Computer Science & IT. 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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign's $14,355.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Santa Clara University's enrollment, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is stronger here.
- Business and consulting-track students: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has less business program depth, and Santa Clara University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's enrollment of 36,258 far exceeds Santa Clara University's 6,552.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Illinois Urbana-Champaign holds onto its admits more tightly: 29% 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; Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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
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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL · Public
More than 36,000 students choose the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for its strong academic programs and vibrant campus life. With an acceptance rate of 42%, the university maintains a competitive edge while welcoming a diverse student body. The graduation rate stands at an impressive 85%, indicating a supportive environment for student success.
Data from Opportunity Insights highlights that graduates from Illinois Urbana-Champaign can expect solid economic mobility. The average earnings for alumni ten years after graduation reach $81,054, suggesting that degrees from this university translate into significant financial benefits. While specific mobility rates are not available, the school’s emphasis on high-demand fields like Engineering, Business, and Computer Science supports upward mobility for many graduates.
Cost considerations are crucial for students. The net price for attending is approximately $14,355, which is manageable compared to potential earnings. Graduates carry a median debt of $19,500, a figure that aligns with the financial landscape of public universities. Students who thrive here typically have a strong interest in STEM fields or business, benefiting from robust programs and a collaborative campus culture.
Rankings They Appear On
Santa Clara University and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Communications ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Santa Clara's top program is Business Administration (27% of enrollment), while Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads with Mechanical Engineering (21%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Financial Analyst, Management Consultant, Accountant (for Santa Clara) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Illinois Urbana-Champaign).
The two schools feed different job markets. Santa Clara University is strongest in Communications, while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign concentrates in Computer Science & IT. 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 Santa Clara University or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is harder to get into, admitting 42% of applicants compared with 48% at Santa Clara University.
Which is more affordable, Santa Clara University or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is more affordable, with an average net price of $14,355 after aid versus $50,062 at Santa Clara University.
Do Santa Clara University or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates earn more?
Santa Clara University graduates earn more: median earnings of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, versus $81,054 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Which has a better graduation rate, Santa Clara University or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Santa Clara University has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 85%.
Should you choose Santa Clara University or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 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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