When choosing a college, students often compare two or more schools to make an informed decision. This document will compare and contrast Santa Clara University (SCU) and Loyola Marymount University (LMU). We will examine various factors, including costs, tuition, admissions, degree offerings, academics, diversity, student life, campus features, and alumni outcomes.
SCU Overview
Santa Clara University is a private Jesuit university located in Santa Clara, California. Founded in 1851, it is the oldest operating institution of higher learning in the state. With an enrollment of over 9,000 students, SCU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across six schools and colleges. The university is known for its strong engineering, business, and law programs.
SCU Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, SCU’s tuition and fees total approximately $54,987. Room and board expenses are estimated at $16,398, bringing the total cost of attendance to around $71,385 per year. Financial aid options are available, with over 70% of students receiving some form of financial aid.
SCU Admissions
SCU has a selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 49.3%. Prospective students must submit their high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1300-1450 on the SAT and 28-33 on the ACT.
SCU Degrees Offered
Santa Clara University offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and over 30 graduate programs across six schools: Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Counseling Psychology, Engineering, Law, and Theology. Some of the most popular majors at SCU include business, engineering, social sciences, psychology, and visual and performing arts.
SCU Academics
SCU is known for its strong academics and a student-faculty ratio of 10:1. With an average class size of 23 students, SCU offers personalized attention and a rigorous curriculum. The university emphasizes experiential learning, with opportunities for internships, research, and study abroad programs.
SCU Diversity
Santa Clara University has a diverse student body, with students hailing from 45 states and 50 countries. Racial and ethnic diversity is also significant, with 49.7% of the student population identifying as non-white.
SCU Students
SCU has a vibrant student life, with over 200 student clubs and organizations, including cultural, service, and special interest groups. Athletics play an essential role, with SCU competing in NCAA Division I sports. The university also offers intramural and club sports for students.
SCU Campus
Santa Clara University’s 106-acre campus features Spanish-style architecture and beautiful landscaping. Students have access to numerous academic and recreational facilities, including libraries, study spaces, fitness centers, and dining options. The campus is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, providing students with unique internship and employment opportunities.
SCU Alumni
Santa Clara University boasts a strong alumni network, with over 100,000 graduates worldwide. Notable alumni include former California Governor Jerry Brown, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, and Apple CEO Tim Cook. SCU alumni are known for their success in various fields, including business, law, engineering, and public service.
SCU Rankings
Santa Clara University is consistently ranked among the top universities in the nation. U.S. News & World Report ranks SCU #53 among National Universities and #14 in Best Undergraduate Teaching. The university is also recognized for its engineering and business programs, with the Leavey School of Business ranked #63 by Forbes.
SCU Outcomes
Graduates of Santa Clara University have a strong track record of success, with 93% of recent graduates employed or pursuing graduate education within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for SCU graduates is $66,200, and the university has a 92% four-year graduation rate.
Loyola Marymount University Overview
Loyola Marymount University is a private Jesuit and Marymount research university located in Los Angeles, California. Established in 1911, LMU offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees across seven schools and colleges. With an enrollment of over 9,000 students, LMU is known for its strong programs in film, television, and business.
LMU Costs & Tuition
For the 2021-2022 academic year, LMU’s tuition and fees total approximately $52,577. Room and board expenses are estimated at $15,890, bringing the total cost of attendance to around $68,467 per year. Financial aid options are available, with over 87% of students receiving some form of financial aid.
LMU Admissions
LMU has a selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 44%. Prospective students must submit their high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1220-1390 on the SAT and 27-32 on the ACT.
LMU Degrees Offered
Loyola Marymount University offers more than 60 undergraduate majors and over 40 graduate programs across seven schools: Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, College of Business Administration, College of Communication and Fine Arts, Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering, Loyola Law School, School of Education, and School of Film and Television. Some of the most popular majors at LMU include business, visual and performing arts, communication, social sciences, and engineering.
LMU Academics
LMU is known for its strong academics and a student-faculty ratio of 10:1. With an average class size of 20 students, LMU offers personalized attention and a rigorous curriculum. The university emphasizes experiential learning, with opportunities for internships, research, and study abroad programs.
LMU Diversity
Loyola Marymount University has a diverse student body, with students hailing from 50 states and more than 90 countries. Racial and ethnic diversity is also significant, with 52% of the student population identifying as non-white.
LMU Students
LMU has a vibrant student life, with over 200 student clubs and organizations, including cultural, service, and special interest groups. Athletics play an essential role, with LMU competing in NCAA Division I sports. The university also offers intramural and club sports for students.
LMU Campus
Loyola Marymount University’s 142-acre campus is located atop the bluffs overlooking Marina del Rey and Playa del Rey in West Los Angeles. Students have access to numerous academic and recreational facilities, including libraries, study spaces, fitness centers, and dining options. The campus is known for its beautiful views and proximity to the entertainment industry.
LMU Alumni
LMU has a strong alumni network, with more than 85,000 graduates worldwide. Notable alumni include filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and actress Tyra Banks. LMU alumni are known for their success in various fields, including film, television, business, and public service.
LMU Rankings
Loyola Marymount University is consistently ranked among the top universities in the nation. U.S. News & World Report ranks LMU #66 among National Universities and #12 in Best Undergraduate Teaching. The university’s School of Film and Television is ranked #7 by The Hollywood Reporter.
LMU Outcomes
Graduates of Loyola Marymount University have a strong track record of success, with 90% of recent graduates employed or pursuing graduate education within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for LMU graduates is $57,200, and the university has an 82% four-year graduation rate.
SCU vs LMU Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attendance at SCU and LMU, SCU has a slightly higher total cost at $71,385 per year, while LMU’s total cost is around $68,467 per year. Both universities offer financial aid options, with a higher percentage of LMU students receiving financial aid (87%) compared to SCU students (70%).
SCU vs LMU Admissions Difficulty
Both SCU and LMU have selective admissions processes, with SCU’s acceptance rate at 49.3% and LMU’s at 44%. The middle 50% of admitted students at SCU scored between 1300-1450 on the SAT and 28-33 on the ACT, while the middle 50% at LMU scored between 1220-1390 on the SAT and 27-32 on the ACT. This indicates that admission to SCU may be slightly more competitive than LMU.
SCU vs LMU Academic Difficulty
Both universities are known for their strong academics and low student-faculty ratios, with SCU having an average class size of 23 students and LMU having an average class size of 20 students. Both institutions emphasize experiential learning and offer opportunities for internships, research, and study abroad programs. The overall academic difficulty would be relatively similar at both universities, with slight variances depending on the specific program or major.
SCU vs LMU Outcome Comparison
SCU has a higher four-year graduation rate (92%) compared to LMU (82%). Additionally, the average starting salary for SCU graduates is $66,200, while the average starting salary for LMU graduates is $57,200. Furthermore, 93% of recent SCU graduates are employed or pursuing graduate education within six months of graduation, compared to 90% of LMU graduates. These outcomes suggest that SCU graduates may have a slightly better overall experience in terms of employment and further education opportunities.
