Santa Clara University has been named one of America's top 30 colleges in TIME's inaugural America's Best Colleges 2026–2027 rankings, reinforcing the university's reputation for academic excellence, career outcomes and student success.Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara ranked No. 29 nationally, placing it among the top 10% of U.S. colleges evaluated by TIME. The university was also recognized as the No. 2 Jesuit university, No. 3 Catholic university, No. 6 college in the Western U.S., and No. 23 private university in the country.Founded in 1851, Santa Clara University is one of California's oldest higher education institutions and has built a strong reputation for combining rigorous academics with close ties to one of the world's leading technology and innovation ecosystems. Graduates consistently rank among the top 1% nationally for post-graduation salaries, while the university maintains high graduation and first-year retention rates."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, 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."The recognition comes as the university continues expanding programs designed to prepare students for emerging industries, including the recently launched Cunningham Shoquist Center for Applied AI and Human Potential, which focuses on the practical application of artificial intelligence across business and society.Santa Clara has also received strong recognition from other national …
Santa Clara University has been named one of America’s top 30 colleges in TIME’s inaugural America’s Best Colleges 2026–2027 rankings, reinforcing the university’s reputation for academic excellence, career outcomes and student success.
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Clara ranked No. 29 nationally, placing it among the top 10% of U.S. colleges evaluated by TIME. The university was also recognized as the No. 2 Jesuit university, No. 3 Catholic university, No. 6 college in the Western U.S., and No. 23 private university in the country.
Founded in 1851, Santa Clara University is one of California’s oldest higher education institutions and has built a strong reputation for combining rigorous academics with close ties to one of the world’s leading technology and innovation ecosystems. Graduates consistently rank among the top 1% nationally for post-graduation salaries, while the university maintains high graduation and first-year retention rates.
“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, 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.”
The recognition comes as the university continues expanding programs designed to prepare students for emerging industries, including the recently launched Cunningham Shoquist Center for Applied AI and Human Potential, which focuses on the practical application of artificial intelligence across business and society.
Santa Clara has also received strong recognition from other national rankings in recent years. The Princeton Review ranked the university No. 13 for Career Placement, while U.S. News & World Report placed it No. 14 nationally for Entrepreneurship and No. 23 for Best Undergraduate Teaching. Forbes also ranked Santa Clara among the nation’s leading universities for graduate earnings and career outcomes.
The latest rankings reinforce Santa Clara University’s position as one of the nation’s leading institutions for students seeking a combination of academic excellence, industry connections and strong long-term career opportunities.
