Civil Engineering at Santa Clara University
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Santa Clara University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Santa Clara University graduates earn $85k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all civil engineering bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Civil Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (23 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | $84,883 | $100,598 | $27,000* | — |
| Loyola Marymount University | $87,790 | — | $27,000* | 0.31 |
| University of Southern California | $85,262 | $106,533 | $8,125* | 0.10 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | $80,673 | $91,424 | $20,424* | 0.25 |
| University of California-Berkeley | $78,142 | $91,006 | $14,392* | 0.18 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | $75,758 | $84,701 | $16,500* | 0.22 |
| National Median | $69,574 | — | $24,500* | 0.35 |
Other Civil Engineering Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles | $58,974 | $87,790 | $27,000 |
| University of Southern California Los Angeles | $68,237 | $85,262 | $8,125 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo | $11,075 | $80,673 | $20,424 |
| University of California-Berkeley Berkeley | $14,850 | $78,142 | $14,392 |
| California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona | $7,439 | $75,758 | $16,500 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Santa Clara University, approximately 11% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 17 graduates with reported earnings and 16 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.