Rachel Evans
Santa Clara University is a private, Jesuit, Catholic university in Santa Clara, California. It was founded in 1851 as Santa Clara College and became a university in 1912. The university is affiliated with the Jesuit order of the Roman Catholic Church and offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. Santa Clara University encourages its students to practice and deepen their faith by participating in religious activities such as Sunday evening student Masses, campus ministry programs, and lectures. While about half of the undergraduates identify as Catholic, the university welcomes students from all faith backgrounds and does not require religious participation. All undergraduate students, however, are required to take three religious studies courses as part of their academic core.
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What You'll Learn
Santa Clara University's Catholic and Jesuit affiliation
Santa Clara University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Catholic university in Santa Clara, California. It was founded in 1851 as Santa Clara College, making it the oldest institution of higher education in California. The college was founded on the site of the Santa Clara de Asís mission, which was established by Franciscans in 1777. The mission church was destroyed in a fire in 1926 and was rebuilt in 1928. The college became a university in 1912 with the addition of the School of Engineering and School of Law.
The university is chartered by the State of California as a public trust and is governed by a board of trustees. It is not owned by the Catholic Church or the Society of Jesus, but its Catholic and Jesuit heritage forms the inspiration for the university. The Jesuit community at Santa Clara consists of 47 priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus, many of whom are faculty members, while others serve in various administrative roles. The Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits, is a Catholic religious order founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century. The Jesuits have been involved in education since 1548, aiming to provide holistic education to students to change the world for the better. This ideal remains at the core of Santa Clara University's mission.
The university encourages students to explore their faith and provides numerous opportunities for Catholics to do so, including masses, small faith-sharing groups, and immersion trips. While students are encouraged to attend Sunday evening masses and participate in campus ministry programs, religious participation is not mandatory. About half of the undergraduate students at Santa Clara University are Catholic, while the other half consists of students from other faiths or no faith. The university believes that this mix of faiths provides enriching perspectives and better prepares graduates for success in a pluralistic and global society.
All undergraduate students at Santa Clara University are required to take three religious studies courses as part of their academic core. The university offers a variety of courses to meet this requirement, including Asian Religious Traditions, Environmental Justice in the Catholic Imagination, and Shia Islam in the Contemporary World. The university's Jesuit education approach challenges students to consider how ethics, social justice, and faith commitments may affect issues in history, economics, or literature.
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Encouraging students to practice and deepen their faith
Santa Clara University encourages students to practice and deepen their faith by offering a variety of religious programs and activities. While religious participation is not mandated, the university supports several initiatives to further its religious mission. Students are encouraged to attend the Sunday evening student Masses in the mission church, as well as to participate in campus ministry programs and lectures.
The university recognises the importance of gathering in prayer as a community. It offers regularly scheduled confessions on Sunday evenings and Monday mornings, as well as appointments with Jesuits for confessions on campus. These opportunities allow students to explore their faith and seek spiritual guidance.
As part of its academic core, Santa Clara University requires all bachelor's degree students to take three religious studies courses. These courses encourage students to consider the intersection of faith with other areas of study, such as ethics, social justice, and literature. Courses like "Environmental Justice in the Catholic Imagination" and "Shia Islam in the Contemporary World" provide a diverse and enriching perspective on religion.
The university also emphasises the connection between one's head and heart, inviting students to reflect on the conversation between their experiences, learning, and beliefs. This exploration of faith is facilitated through mass, small faith-sharing groups, and immersion trips. Santa Clara University ensures that students from all faith backgrounds can find opportunities to deepen their spiritual lives.
Additionally, the university's affiliation with the Jesuit order of the Roman Catholic Church influences its educational approach. The Jesuits, as members of the Society of Jesus, aim to provide an education that forms students as whole persons who will positively impact the world. This holistic perspective is reflected in Santa Clara University's commitment to caring for the entire person, recognising that students bring diverse perspectives and life experiences to their education.
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The University's religious mission and initiatives
Santa Clara University (SCU) is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Catholic university in Santa Clara, California. It was founded in 1851 and is California's oldest operating institution of higher education. The university is built around historic Mission Santa Clara, which was established by Franciscans in 1777. The mission church was destroyed in a fire in 1926 and was rebuilt in 1928.
The university maintains its Catholic and Jesuit affiliation and supports initiatives to further its religious mission. Students are encouraged, but not required, to attend the Sunday evening student masses in the mission church and to participate in campus ministry programs and lectures. All bachelor's degrees require three religious studies courses as part of the academic core. An emphasis on social justice is furthered through the Pedro Arrupe Partnership and Kolvenbach Solidarity programs, which offer service opportunities in the community and immersion opportunities throughout the world.
SCU's approach to Jesuit education means that professors may challenge students to consider how ethics, social justice, or a faith commitment may affect issues in history, economics, or literature. The university community gathers in prayer, which is important for reminding them of their shared history and support system. Throughout the academic year, regularly scheduled confessions are available, and appointments may be made with Jesuits for confessions on campus.
SCU is home to approximately 5,435 undergraduate and 3,335 master's, Juris Doctor, and PhD students. The institution employs 522 full-time faculty members, who are divided between four professional schools and the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest academic division, managing more than 30 majors through 17 departments.
In terms of rankings, SCU has consistently placed highly in various categories. Notably, it ranked 7th in "Best Universities For a Bachelor's Degree" by PayScale in 2025, up from 9th in 2023. It also ranked 2nd for Engineering majors, 3rd for Communications majors, and 6th for Business majors. In the same year, it was ranked 38th on the list of "2025 Best Colleges in the US" by the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse.
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The University's approach to Jesuit education
Santa Clara University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Catholic university in Santa Clara, California. It was founded in 1851 by Jesuit priests and is the oldest institution of higher education in California. The university is chartered by the State of California as a public trust and is governed by a board of trustees. It is not owned by the Catholic Church or the Society of Jesus, but its Catholic and Jesuit affiliation remains central to its identity and mission.
The university also supports numerous initiatives to further its religious mission. While religious participation is not mandated, students are encouraged to attend Sunday evening masses in the mission church and to participate in campus ministry programs and lectures. The historic Mission Church, built in the Spanish style, is a key place of worship for Catholic students, with regular Sunday masses drawing full houses, including many non-Catholic attendees who appreciate the sense of community and the opportunity for meditation and prayer.
The university also offers sacramental formation, providing students with the tools to explore and establish their Catholic identity. Throughout the academic year, regularly scheduled confessions are available, and appointments can be made with Jesuits for confessions on campus. Students are also encouraged to participate in immersion trips as a way to explore their faith and connect their academic experiences with their beliefs.
The Jesuit community at the university is made up of 47 priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus, many of whom are faculty members, while others serve in administrative roles. The university's Jesuit identity is further reflected in its emphasis on social justice, with programs like the Pedro Arrupe Partnership and Kolvenbach Solidarity offering service and immersion opportunities in the community and around the world.
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The University's Catholic and Jesuit heritage
Santa Clara University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Catholic university in Santa Clara, California. It was founded in 1851 by Jesuit priests and is the oldest institution of higher education in California. The university is built around historic Mission Santa Clara, which was established by Franciscans in 1777. The mission church was destroyed in a fire in 1926 and was rebuilt in 1928. The Adobe Lodge, the oldest building on campus, was built in 1822 and restored in 1981.
The university is affiliated with the Jesuit order of the Roman Catholic Church and offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, including law, business, engineering, education, counselling psychology, and pastoral ministries. The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest academic division, offering more than 30 majors through 17 departments. The university is also home to several professional schools, including the School of Engineering, the School of Law, and the Leavey School of Business.
As a Jesuit university, Santa Clara University is inspired by its Catholic and Jesuit heritage. About half of the undergraduate students at the university are Catholic, and all students are encouraged to attend the Sunday evening student Masses in the mission church and to participate in campus ministry programs and lectures. While religious participation is not mandated, many students, including those who are not Catholic, appreciate the sense of community and the opportunity for meditation and prayer. All bachelor's degree programs require three religious studies courses, with a variety of diverse classes to choose from, such as Asian Religious Traditions, Environmental Justice in the Catholic Imagination, and Shia Islam in the Contemporary World.
The Jesuit community at the university is made up of 47 priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus, many of whom are faculty members. The Jesuits' focus on education aims to form students as whole persons who will change the world for the better. This ideal remains at the core of Santa Clara University's mission. The university also emphasises social justice through initiatives such as the Pedro Arrupe Partnership and Kolvenbach Solidarity programs, which offer service and immersion opportunities in the community and around the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Santa Clara University is a private, Jesuit, Catholic university. It was founded in 1851 and is California's oldest operating institution of higher education.
No, the University is chartered by the State of California as a public trust and governed by a board of trustees.
About half of Santa Clara University undergraduates are Catholic. However, the University welcomes all qualified and motivated students.
Santa Clara encourages all students to practice and deepen their faith, but religious participation is not mandated.
All undergraduate students are required to take three religious studies courses. There are dozens of diverse classes to select from to meet this requirement.
