Santa Clara University (SCU) is a private Jesuit, Catholic university located in Santa Clara, California, United States, and is the oldest operating institution of higher learning in the state, established in 1851. The campus surrounds the historic Mission Santa Clara de Asís, founded in 1777, and features Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. As a comprehensive university situated in Silicon Valley, SCU offers rigorous undergraduate programs in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, as well as master's, Ph.D., and law degrees to over 8,000 students. It is renowned for its strong ties to Silicon Valley tech networks and its programs in business, engineering, and law, with numerous alumni-founded companies and connections to influential networks. The university has a rich history, including military training programs dating to 1856, and supports various student organizations focused on programming and community service. It is classified as a 'Doctoral/Professional' university and maintains Chartered Student Organizations for extracurricular activities.