Press Releases

Santa Clara University Rises in National Rankings

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 13:59:00 PDT

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 28, 2026—In a sign of Santa Clara University’s continued success in student outcomes, career readiness, and experiential and values-driven learning, the University has secured a top 10% spot in TIME Magazine's America's Best Colleges of 2026-2027 list.

The ranking, which placed Santa Clara at No. 29 nationally, is the publication’s inaugural list of the top 500 colleges in the U.S.

Building on this high ranking, Santa Clara University also placed as the No. 2 best Jesuit university in the nation, No. 6 best college in the West, the No. 23 best private university, and the No. 3 best Catholic university.

“This latest ranking by TIME is a testament to what sets Santa Clara apart: our commitment to educating the whole person and an exceptional student experience,” said James M. Glaser, Santa Clara University provost and executive vice president. “Santa Clara combines rigorous academics and real-world experiential learning with a focus on student development, grounded in our Jesuit tradition of ethical leadership. In this way, we prepare our students not only to thrive in top-tier careers—especially here in the heart of Silicon Valley—but also to help shape a more humane, just, and sustainable world."

Among the criteria used by TIME, Santa Clara is distinguished by its

TIME’s ranking comes on the heels of strong showings in other recent national rankings including:

Princeton Review

No. 13 — Best Career Placement
No. 17 — Best Science Lab Facilities
No. 36 — Top Green Colleges
392 colleges, issued Aug. 2026

U.S. News Best Colleges

No. 14 — Entrepreneurship
No. 23 — Best Undergraduate Teaching
No. 59 —Best National Universities
More than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities, Sept. 2025 91ֱ��

Forbes America’s Top Colleges

No. 12 — Top 25 Colleges with Highest Earning Graduates
No. 16 — Top Colleges in the West
No. 16 — Best Employers for New Grads 2026
No. 43 — Top Private Colleges
No. 51 — Research Universities
No. 65 (Top 15%) — Top Colleges 2026
500 colleges, issued August 2025 91ֱ��

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, Santa Clara 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. The University 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.

Media Contact
Deborah Lohse | Santa Clara University Media Communications | dlohse@scu.edu | 408-554-5121

Santa Clara University Names Award-Winning PBS News Hour Special Correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro Inaugural Journalist in Residence

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 10:00:00 PDT

De Sam Lazaro’s Under-Told Stories Project will establish its new home at Santa Clara, bringing international documentary journalism and hands-on reporting opportunities to students

Pioneering AI and Digital Transformation Scholar Ravi Bapna Named Dean of Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 10:00:00 PDT

An internationally recognized leader in AI, analytics, and digital transformation, Bapna will lead the Leavey School into its next chapter of innovation, global impact, and ethical leadership in Silicon Valley.

Santa Clara University announces Amy Yancey as vice president for University Relations

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 09:30:00 PDT

Accomplished advancement executive brings record-breaking philanthropic success to Silicon Valley's leading Jesuit university

Santa Clara University’s largest-ever graduating class celebrates commencement

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 00:00:00 PDT

The University's 175th commencement ceremony featured joyful celebrations and inspiring speakers.

Six Santa Clara students and alumni earn Fulbright grants to research, study, and teach across three continents

Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 PDT

The honorees will explore topics ranging from sustainability and neurodegenerative disease to international relations and cancer treatments.

Sutter Health and Santa Clara University to Launch the Mark & Mary Stevens School of Medicine

Fri, 15 May 2026 08:00:00 PDT

Funded in part by a $175 million gift from Mark and Mary Stevens, it will be the first new medical school in the San Francisco Bay Area in more than a century.

Mechanical engineering student earns prestigious 2026 SMART Scholarship

Mon, 04 May 2026 20:00:00 PDT

Scholarship covers full tuition, provides an annual stipend, includes a paid summer internship, and guarantees DoW civilian employment upon graduation

Santa Clara University establishes the Cunningham Shoquist Center for Applied AI and Human Potential

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:00:00 PDT

Funded by a generous gift from NVIDIA executive vice president Debora Shoquist ’76, the new Center also honors the supportive role of her sister, G. Lee Cunningham M.A. ’73

Advancing Friendship Across Differences for a Synodal Church

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 PDT

Jesuit School of Theology's April 17 Together at the Table event brings together community leaders, students, and clergy to better understand the role of friendship in advancing synodality.

Santa Clara University Selects the Class of 2030

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:00:00 PDT

The pool of students reflects the university's ongoing commitment to academic excellence and educational access

Santa Clara University Announces Alumna Dee Dee Myers as 2026 Undergraduate Commencement Speaker

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 PDT

The pioneering political communicator and bestselling author will address more than 1,500 graduates and receive an honorary doctorate of public service on June 13

Jesuit School of Theology to Relocate to Mission Campus from Berkeley

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 16:00:00 PST

A major move that will enhance the theological, global, and academic reach of Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University's Jesuit School of Theology Receives $10 Million Grant to Expand and Strengthen Pastorally Engaged Catholic Theology and Ministry

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 07:00:00 PST

A transformational grant from the Lilly Endowment will bring together Santa Clara’s rich theology, religious studies, and pastoral faculty and programming with partner organizations, to better form lay leaders and clergy serving diverse Catholic populations in the Western U.S. and beyond.

Santa Clara University Admits First Members of Class of 2030

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 91ֱ�� 16:40:00 PST

More than 12,100 students applied early admission or early decision this fall

"Camino de los Muertos" Celebration Nov. 1 at Santa Clara University

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 91ֱ�� 16:03:00 PDT

Community-wide event celebrates Day of the Dead with festivities and a special All Saints Day Mass in Spanish.

James Lyons, Santa Clara University Vice President for University Relations, to Retire

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 91ֱ�� 07:00:00 PDT

The VP who led Santa Clara's historic $1B campaign is retiring after a 40-year career.

College Track And Santa Clara University Forge Strategic Partnership To Promote Educational Equity

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 91ֱ�� 09:00:00 PDT

The University will welcome a cohort of College Track scholars each year

Santa Clara University Rises to 59th Best Nationally in U.S. News & World Report Best College Rankings

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 91ֱ�� 05:00:00 PDT

Santa Clara University rose to No. 59 in “U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges”

Santa Clara University Welcomes a Record Number of Transfer Students and Largest-Ever Incoming Class

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 91ֱ�� 15:34:00 PDT

Records set for the size of the Class of 2029, number of transfers, and percentage of first-generation students joining Santa Clara.

Santa Clara Law Launches Groundbreaking “PLEDGE Scholarship” for Fall 2026 Incoming Students

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 91ֱ�� 19:35:00 PDT

Guaranteed scholarship aims to offset recent federal loan changes to ensure that Santa Clara’s legal education will be accessible and affordable to all