Loyola Marymount University vs Santa Clara University

Loyola Marymount University and Santa Clara University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Loyola Marymount University is more selective with a 40.3% acceptance rate compared to Santa Clara University's 43.8%. Average SAT scores are 1335 and 1417 respectively.

Cost: Loyola Marymount University offers a lower average net price at $45,723, which is $5,236 less than Santa Clara University ($50,959). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median salary of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, which is $30,834 more than Loyola Marymount University graduates ($78,349).

Graduation: Santa Clara University leads with a 88.5% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 88.2% vs 93.6%.

Campus Size: Loyola Marymount University is the larger campus with 7,171 total students, while Santa Clara University has 6,235.

Bottom Line: Loyola Marymount University wins on affordability while Santa Clara University leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.