Santa Clara University Bachelor of Science in Commerce With a Major in Accounting: 2027 Review

Score

61.0 of 100

Cost (20%)

0.0 of 10

Graduate Earnings (20%)

10.0 of 10

Completion (15%)

9.3 of 10

Flexibility (15%)

0.0 of 10

Credential Alignment (10%)

10.0 of 10

Track Record (10%)

7.5 of 10

Program Reputation (10%)

9.6 of 10

Credits

175 quarter

Format

On Campus

Accreditation

AACSB (confirmed on the official list)

AACSB Accounting

Accounting accreditation listed by AACSB

See exactly how we score on the methodology page. We checked the school's figures on October 8, 2026.

Santa Clara sits between Big Four offices in the Bay Area, and its accounting faculty includes a former Deloitte audit partner and a KPMG research fellow. Upper-division finals are cumulative, so the certified public accountant (CPA) exam material is not new to you.

The Bachelor of Science in Commerce with a major in Accounting is offered by the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University, a private nonprofit school in California. Classes meet on campus on the quarter system. You can also choose the Accounting and Information Systems major, which has a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) designation.

• Future CPAs in California: accounting majors are typically able to meet the state's education requirements within the four-year program.
• Students who like data tools: ACTG 120 uses Microsoft Excel and Tableau for accounting analysis.
• Students aiming at the Big Four: recruiting events, PwC office hours and alumni panels run through the year.
• Students who want community service: the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) course prepares you to file free tax returns for local families.
• Students drawn to systems work: the Accounting and Information Systems major adds programming, database and systems courses.

ACTG 120 Accounting Data Analysis and Visualization teaches you analysis with Excel and Tableau. ACTG 130 and 131 Intermediate Financial Accounting cover financial reporting, liabilities, pensions and leases. ACTG 132 Advanced Financial Accounting focuses on business combinations and consolidated statements. ACTG 134 Accounting Information Systems shows you how accounting data is captured and processed.

ACTG 135 Auditing introduces you to regulations, the audit risk model and client risk assessment. In ACTG 136 Cost Accounting you'll add job costing and activity-based costing. In ACTG 138 you'll plan taxes for people and businesses. Electives include Financial Fraud Detection and Investigation, Accounting Ethics and an Accounting Internship.

The Financial Information Systems elective gives hands-on enterprise resource planning (ERP) experience.

You need a minimum of 175 quarter-units, and at least 60 must be upper-division. The school says Accounting and A&IS majors are typically able to meet California CPA education requirements with the four-year program. The state's rules call for 225 total quarter units, including 45 units of accounting and 15 units of ethics study. The accounting internship can be repeated for credit up to 10 units.

Santa Clara charges about $2,021 per credit, based on the annual out-of-state tuition the school reports. You can apply for merit-based awards and scholarships through the Accounting Department.

It's an on-campus program on the quarter system. You'll get small classes and faculty mentorship. The SCU Accounting Association hosts events such as the Connor Group Numero Case Challenge, and the Alumni Board runs mentorship socials.

Santa Clara says it offers the only AACSB-accredited accounting program in Northern California. The curriculum prepares you for CPA certification, and the ethics course ACTG 144 fits the state's ethics study requirement. The VITA course prepares you to pass the IRS-sponsored VITA Certification Exam.

Where this degree can lead: Accounting Degree Jobs.

A student interviewed on Counselmore says the department keeps close ties to Big Four offices, and that 12 of 18 job interviews were with Santa Clara alumni. Students describe the department as collaborative. Niche reviewers in 2025 and 2026 mention internship recommendations, small classes and welcoming professors.

After a 2023 alumni career panel, the school reports 96% of student feedback was satisfied or very satisfied. U.S. News ranked the accounting program No. 56 of over 500 in 2024-25, according to the department chair.

• How do the Accounting major and Accounting and Information Systems major differ in courses?
• Which Big Four recruiting events happen during the sophomore year?
• How many units remain after year four for the 225 units California requires?
• How does the accounting internship earn credit?
• Can I join the VITA course before my senior year?

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