Santa Clara University (SCU) is a Private Catholic Jesuit university based in Santa Clara, California. Santa Clara University is a private Catholic Jesuit university in Silicon Valley with programs in engineering, computing, business, arts and sciences, law, education, counseling psychology, sustainability, and technology-focused professional fields. Santa Clara was founded in 1851 beside Mission Santa Clara de Asís. The institution grew from a small college into a university with engineering, law, business, liberal arts, graduate education, and strong connections to Silicon Valley. Research includes computer science and engineering, artificial intelligence, electrical and computer engineering, robotics, bioengineering, sustainable energy, entrepreneurship, business, ethics, law, environmental studies, psychology, and social impact. The campus sits in the heart of Silicon Valley near major technology companies, startups, venture capital firms, law practices, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, and public agencies. For current costs, For 2026–27, full-time undergraduate tuition is $64,956 per year for students enrolled in 12 or more units. The Student Engagement and Well-Being Fee is $780 annually, with housing, food, insurance, books, transportation, and course-specific charges separate. SCU is test optional for first-year and transfer students through the 2027 term. Applicants who do not submit SAT or ACT scores are not disadvantaged in admission or merit-scholarship review. Career opportunities are strongly connected to Silicon Valley technology, software, semiconductor, engineering, finance, entrepreneurship, consulting, law, sustainability, product development, and nonprofit organizations. The university’s current undergraduate portfolio includes Computer Science and Engineering B.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering B.S., Mechanical Engineering B.S., Bioengineering B.S., Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering B.S., while graduate study includes Computer Science and Engineering M.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering M.S., Mechanical Engineering M.S., Bioengineering M.S.. Doctoral education includes Bioengineering Ph.D., Computer Science and Engineering Ph.D., Electrical Engineering Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering Ph.D.. Certificate and professional options include Bioengineering Graduate Certificate, Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Certificate, Mechanical Engineering Graduate Certificate. Current merit opportunities include the Presidential at Entry Scholarship, Provost Scholarship, Dean’s Scholarship, and Johnson Scholars Award. Career preparation is supported by SCU Career Center. Santa Clara University therefore combines its institutional history, current academic portfolio, research activity, and location-specific professional environment into a distinct student experience rather than a generic university model. Students at Santa Clara University can combine classroom study with research, internships, projects, community engagement, professional organizations, and other forms of experiential learning that fit their academic field. The setting in Santa Clara is especially relevant to technology, software, semiconductors, engineering, finance, entrepreneurship, consulting, law, sustainability, product development, healthcare, and nonprofits, giving academic programs a direct connection to the surrounding regional economy. Applicants should evaluate program requirements, tuition, scholarships, and professional expectations using the current official information for their exact Santa Clara University degree. Santa Clara University publishes current academic, admissions, student-support, and program information through its official university resources for applicants and enrolled students.