California's oldest operating university (1851), a Jesuit institution in Silicon Valley blending innovation with social justice.
Santa Clara offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees across six professional schools. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning, community-based coursework, internships, and independent research. More than 50 majors and minors span engineering, business, law, education, theology, and the sciences. The university is launching a new medical school in partnership with Sutter Health, expected to enroll students around 2029–2031, marking the first new medical school in the San Francisco Bay Area in over a century.
The 106-acre suburban campus centers on Mission Santa Clara de Asís, a historic 1777 mission church. Recent major projects include the $300 million Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation (2022), a 270,000-square-foot STEM facility housing 13 academic departments, robotics labs, and virtual reality spaces. The university features eight Residential Learning Communities integrating classroom and residential life. Facilities include the Malley Fitness Center, Leavey Center (basketball arena), Stephen Schott Stadium (baseball), and a 194,000-square-foot library completed in 2008.
Santa Clara admits first-year, transfer, and international students. In 2024, the university announced the California Promise and Cristo Rey Promise, committing to meet full demonstrated financial need for admitted first-year students qualifying for Cal Grants and graduates from Cristo Rey Network high schools. The university maintains a 90% six-year graduation rate, significantly above the national average of 62%.
Santa Clara ranks 23rd nationally for undergraduate teaching and in the top 10 for average salaries 10 years after graduation (Payscale). The university's athletic programs have produced 58 MLB players, 40 NFL players, 12 NBA players, and 13 Olympic gold medalists. The Broncos have won NCAA championships in men's and women's soccer.