Santa Clara University Recognized Among Top American Colleges for Best Return on Investment by U.S. News & World Report
SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 17, 2025 – U.S. News & World Report has named Santa Clara University one of the top 22 “Colleges With the Best Return on Investment (ROI)” in the United States, reaffirming its reputation as one of the best investments in higher education. This recognition underscores Santa Clara’s ability to provide students with an education that leads to strong career outcomes and long-term financial success.
Santa Clara appears on the list tied with Yale. Stanford and SCU are the only two Bay Area universities included in this year’s rankings. Additionally, SCU is one of only two Jesuit universities on the list, along with Georgetown.
The ranking highlights institutions that offer exceptional value by assessing factors such as alumni salaries, net cost after financial aid, and student debt. U.S. News ranked schools with the highest 40-year net present value, a metric that compares the cost of college to a student's potential future earnings. The rankings are based on data from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce, which evaluated the return on investment for 4,600 colleges.
Santa Clara’s recognition by U.S. News follows previous rankings by Payscale, which has consistently highlighted SCU among the top universities for early and mid-career salaries of graduates. These rankings further demonstrate that a Santa Clara degree is not only an investment in knowledge and experience but also a pathway to significant financial and professional success.
"Inclusion on the 'Colleges With the Best Return on Investment' list is a testament to the incredible value of a Santa Clara education," said Santa Clara University President Julie Sullivan. “Through a combination of academic excellence, strong industry connections, and a commitment to ethical leadership, we prepare our students to thrive in their careers and make meaningful contributions to society.”
Santa Clara University consistently ranks among the top universities in the country, particularly in fields such as technology, business, and engineering. In the past year, SCU was No. 38 in the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse “2025 Best Colleges in the U.S” rankings. The university’s prime location in the heart of Silicon Valley provides students with unparalleled access to internships, mentorship opportunities, and innovative career pathways.
About Santa Clara University
Founded in 1851, Santa Clara University sits in the heart of Silicon Valley—the world’s most innovative and entrepreneurial region. The University’s stunningly landscaped 106-acre campus is home to the historic Mission Santa Clara de Asís. Ranked among the top 15 percent of national universities by U.S. News & World Report, SCU has among the best four-year graduation rates in the nation and is rated by PayScale in the top 1 percent of universities with the highest-paid graduates. SCU has produced elite levels of Fulbright Scholars as well as four Rhodes Scholars. With undergraduate programs in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, and graduate programs in six disciplines, the curriculum blends high-tech innovation with social consciousness grounded in the tradition of Jesuit, Catholic education. scu.edu
Media Contact
Lisa Robinson | SCU Media Communications | lrobinson2@scu.edu | 408-551-3601