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California State University-East Bay vs Santa Clara University

California State University-East Bay is a public university in Hayward, CA. Santa Clara University is a private university in Santa Clara, CA. Santa Clara University admits about 48% of applicants and California State University-East Bay about 97%, making Santa Clara University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $9,320 a year at California State University-East Bay after aid, and about $50,062 at Santa Clara University. About 88% of students graduate at Santa Clara University, compared with 47% at California State University-East Bay. Ten years after enrolling, Santa Clara University alumni earn a median of about $109,183, against $71,401 for California State University-East Bay.

California State University-East Bay

Hayward, CA · Public

Santa Clara University

Santa Clara, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Hayward, CA
Santa Clara, CA
Setting
Suburban
Urban
Undergraduates
9,809
6,552
Acceptance rate
97%
48%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.06–3.56
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
890–1090
1350–1490
ACT (middle 50%)
Not reported
31–33
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$9,320
$50,062
Full cost / yr
$22,850
$82,026
In-state tuition
$7,583
$61,293
Out-of-state tuition
$20,183
$61,293
Application fee
$70
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$6,360
$22,985
$30k - $48k
$7,031
$19,154
$48k - $75k
$8,990
$26,531
$75k - $110k
$12,015
$37,219
Over $110k
$19,397
$60,678
Outcomes
Graduation rate
47%
88%
Freshman retention
76%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$55,546
$91,198
Median earnings (10 yr)
$71,401
$109,183
Median debt at graduation
$16,544
$19,162
Student body
Pell grant recipients
44%
11%
First-generation students
51%
17%
International students
2%
7%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Feb 15
Jan 7

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is California State University-East Bay or Santa Clara University harder to get into?
Santa Clara University is harder to get into. It admits about 48% of applicants, compared with 97% at California State University-East Bay. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, California State University-East Bay or Santa Clara University?
California State University-East Bay is cheaper on average. Students pay about $9,320 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $50,062 at Santa Clara University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at California State University-East Bay and Santa Clara University?
Before aid, California State University-East Bay costs about $22,850 a year and Santa Clara University about $82,026. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, California State University-East Bay or Santa Clara University?
California State University-East Bay. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $6,360 there, against about $22,985 at Santa Clara University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, California State University-East Bay or Santa Clara University?
California State University-East Bay is the larger of the two, with about 9,809 undergraduates against 6,552 at Santa Clara University.
Does California State University-East Bay or Santa Clara University have a better graduation rate?
Santa Clara University has the higher graduation rate, at about 88% against 47% at California State University-East Bay.
Do graduates of California State University-East Bay or Santa Clara University earn more?
Santa Clara University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $109,183 ten years after enrolling, against about $71,401 for California State University-East Bay. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do California State University-East Bay and Santa Clara University require SAT or ACT scores?
California State University-East Bay is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Santa Clara University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do California State University-East Bay and Santa Clara University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 890–1090 at California State University-East Bay and 1350–1490 at Santa Clara University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school