Admit rate has ranged 42%–65% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The University of Silicon Valley (USV) is a small, project-driven institution in the heart of tech’s global epicenter, specializing in animation, game development, and digital arts. With an acceptance rate hovering around 51%, it attracts a niche cohort of creators and entrepreneurs—though its 35% graduation rate suggests the road to a degree is tougher than the admissions process. What it lacks in traditional campus life, it makes up for with industry-aligned studios and a focus on real-world collaboration.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
High school transcript
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
455
In-state tuition
$22,480
Out-of-state tuition
$22,480
Top Majors
Animation, Game Development, Video Graphics
Acceptance Rate
51-64%
4-Year Grad Rate
27%
Student-Faculty Ratio
13:1
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$51,017
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.8×
Median debt at graduation
$31,000
Graduation rate
29%
First-year retention
69%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
44%
Pell (lower-income) share
64%
First-generation share
28%
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Financial health
2.3 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Graphic Communications$30,984
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
210
Summer high
82°F
Winter low
44°F
Annual rain
21.9"
Natural-hazard risk
Very High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at University of Silicon Valley?
University of Silicon Valley's acceptance rate is approximately 51% (San Jose, CA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does University of Silicon Valley cost?
At University of Silicon Valley, the average net price (after aid) is about $27,815 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Silicon Valley?
University of Silicon Valley enrolls approximately 455 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Silicon Valley located?
University of Silicon Valley is located in San Jose, CA.
Admissions
USV’s admissions process is moderately selective, with Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ranging from 51% (per U.S. News and PrepScholar) to 64.65% (College Board). Test scores for admitted students typically fall between 1080–1140 on the SAT or 17–25 on the ACT, though GPA data is sparse. Notably, the school emphasizes project portfolios over standardized metrics for creative programs, aligning with its hands-on ethos. Applications are due September 10 for regular decision, and deferred admission is an option for postponing enrollment.
USV’s curriculum is laser-focused on digital creativity and tech entrepreneurship, with animation, video graphics, and game development dominating its most popular majors. The student-faculty ratio is a tight 13:1, fostering close mentorship—though the 58% freshman retention rate hints at academic or cultural friction. Programs are structured around collaborative studios (dubbed 'USV Studios'), where students work on real client projects across disciplines. Reddit threads and Princeton Review notes praise the school’s industry connections but warn about its high price tag relative to graduation outcomes.
With just 373 undergraduates (per College Board), USV’s campus vibe is more 'tight-knit workshop' than 'raucous college town.' Housing costs average $19,142/year, pushing many students to seek off-campus options in pricey San Jose. Clubs skew niche—think anime societies and game dev collectives—while esports and Halloween events anchor social life. The school’s YouTube channel highlights cross-disciplinary studio work, but Niche reviews suggest the lack of Greek life or D1 sports leaves a gap for students craving traditional camaraderie.
USV’s outcomes are a mixed bag: its 35% overall graduation rate (27% for four years) ranks in the bottom 15% nationally, with men faring worse at 25%. The College Scorecard doesn’t provide debt or earnings data, but Third Way benchmarks suggest such rates are typical for small, specialized institutions. The school promotes a 'tuition lock' policy to stabilize costs through graduation, though this may be cold comfort given the attrition risk. Alumni success stories emphasize freelance careers and startup launches over corporate pipelines.
Tuition runs steep at USV, with an average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. of $29,887 after aid (per MeetYourClass). Seventy percent of students receive financial aid, typically $10,220 per package—though this barely dents the $30,602 annual cost cited by College Board. The school offers merit scholarships and FAFSA guidance, but the ROI calculus is tricky given the low graduation odds. Payment plans and a tuition guarantee aim to ease the burden, but comparisons to nearby public options like SJSU (with higher earnings outcomes) loom large.
USV’s edge is its Silicon Valley adjacency: students rub elbows with tech disruptors while building portfolios in campus studios. Unlike broader universities, it doubles down on digital arts and entrepreneurship—a gamble that pays off for self-starters who thrive outside lecture halls. But the model comes with caveats: low graduation rates and high costs make it a risky bet for students needing structure. For the right creator—one willing to trade football games for client pitches—it’s a rare incubator.
University of Silicon Valley logo · sourceUC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Campus - LPA · sourceUniversity of Silicon Valley Campus Life | Real Student Opinions on Safety, Food, the Party Scene and More! · sourceSilicon Valley Campus · source
