Soka University of America is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Aliso Viejo, California. It enrolls 484 students (a very small, intimate student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorWestern Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
80/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes93
Value62
Affordability40
Selectivity83
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 43.4%, Soka University of America is a selective institution.
Acceptance Rate
43.4%
Selective
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1333 – 1510
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Soka University of America is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
29.4 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Soka University of America isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $18,260 per year. That's below the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$18,260
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
20%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
37%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$38,728
Room & Board (on-campus)
$14,378
Room & Board (off-campus)
$22,086
Books & Supplies
$1,062
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$4,368
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$6,854
Total Cost of Attendance
$55,064
Application fee: $45 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$12,020
$30,001 – $48,000
$10,619
$48,001 – $75,000
$12,049
$75,001 – $110,000
$12,724
Over $110,000
$30,940
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$5,50010%percentile
$9,25025%percentile
$15,650Medianpercentile
$26,72075%percentile
$28,12890%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $15,500
↓ $150
No Pell $15,000
↓ $650
Female students $15,500
↓ $150
Male students $14,554
↓ $1,096
What this means:
20% of students receive Pell grants. Most cost is borne by families above Pell thresholds. Verify your individual aid offer before deciding.
Graduation Rate & Retention
91% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
—
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
91%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
High first-year retention. Students who arrive tend to stay.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Soka University of America earn a median of $55,017 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$55,017
Earning > $25K
74%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
What this means:
Solid return on investment. Every dollar of net annual cost is matched by ~$3.0 of median earnings 10 years out.
Who Studies Here
Soka University of America is home to 484 students, an intimate, close-knit community.
Total Enrolled
484
Part-Time
0%
First-Generation
—
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
International 55.4%268
Hispanic 14.1%68
White 11.8%57
Asian 9.9%48
Other 6.4%31
Black 1.5%7
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Soka University of America. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large SuburbAliso Viejo, California
Housing
Strongly residential572 beds for 484 students
Adult Learners
1%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Soka University of America offers
a focused set of programs:
2 distinct programs across
2 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Soka University of America is 7:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
7:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$1.8B
Strong financial cushion supports aid and stability
Avg Faculty Salary
$118,955
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
65 instructional faculty across 6 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
16
25%
$160,439
Associate Professors
23
35%
$119,099
Assistant Professors
19
29%
$95,187
Instructors
4
6%
$79,706
Lecturers
1
2%
$78,000
No Rank
2
3%
$110,202
Pros & Cons of Soka University of America
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Soka University of America tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Narrow program catalog compared to mid-sized peers
Best for:
Based on the data, Soka University of America is a fit for
students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Soka University of America
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Soka University of America.
Is Soka University of America hard to get into?
Soka University of America is selective but not extremely competitive. Its acceptance rate is 43.4%. Strong academic credentials and a thoughtful application materially improve your odds.
What is the acceptance rate at Soka University of America?
Soka University of America has an acceptance rate of 43.4%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Soka University of America?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Soka University of America scored between 1333 and 1510 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
How much does Soka University of America cost?
The average net price after aid at Soka University of America is $18,260 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Soka University of America worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $55,017 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $18,260 per year. That's roughly 3.0x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Soka University of America known for?
Soka University of America is best known for its programs in Liberal Arts, Educational Administration. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Soka University of America graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Soka University of America are $55,017, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Soka University of America accredited?
Yes. Soka University of America is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.
How many students attend Soka University of America?
Soka University of America enrolls 484 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
Is Soka University of America a public or private college?
Soka University of America is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Soka University of America located?
Soka University of America is located in Aliso Viejo, California.
What programs does Soka University of America offer?
Soka University of America offers 2 distinct programs. The most popular include Liberal Arts, Educational Administration.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Soka University of America?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Soka University of America is 7:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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American Colleges by the Numbers
One federal dataset, 3,839 colleges. The median school costs $16,371 a year, admits 78% of applicants, and enrolls 1,259 students. The shape of US higher ed.
Higher education data
Net price
College enrollment
Acceptance rate
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Across 1,645 four-year colleges, graduation rates climb steadily with selectivity, from 54% at open-admission schools to 93% at the most exclusive. The gap is real.
Graduation rate
Acceptance rate
Selectivity
Completion
College outcomes
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