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Soka University of America

Private nonprofit Aliso Viejo, CA · Suburban · Far West · 93% data
A Graduation A- Selectivity B Earnings
Graduation Rate
89% A
Most students who enroll finish their degree here
Earnings (10yr)
$55,017 B
Well above the typical college graduate
Net Price
$18,260 C
Close to the national average
Acceptance Rate
43% A-
Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Earnings +35% vs avg
Graduation +56% vs avg
Net Price 7% vs avg

Bottom line: A B- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 21.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $21.0 over 20 years.

21.0× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $21.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,463,003.

What The Data Says

  1. A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.

  2. Earnings 35% above the national college median.

  3. A 89% graduation rate — 56% above the national average.

  4. Every $1 invested returns $21.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Soka University of America

Soka University of America is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Private Liberal Arts College
Carnegie Class
Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
Enrollment
484
Setting
Suburban
Primary Strengths
Humanities

Why students choose Soka University of America

Close mentorship
A small, undergraduate-focused community
Strength in Humanities
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

B-
Top 29% overall
B
Earnings
$55,017 median
C+
Value
3.0× net price
C
Affordability
$18,260/yr net
A
Graduation
89% graduate
A-
Selectivity
43% admit rate
B-
Diversity
0.65 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

At Soka University of America, you’ll find a tight-knit community of about 484 students who are passionate about the humanities. With an acceptance rate of 43%, this school attracts individuals who are not just academically inclined, but also committed to principles of peace and global citizenship. Here, students dive deep into fields like philosophy, literature, and social sciences, all while fostering a strong sense of personal and social responsibility.

Looking at life after graduation, the numbers tell a promising story. Graduates can expect to earn around $55,017 within ten years of completing their degree. This indicates that students are not just finding jobs, but also entering fields that allow for growth and stability. The environment is supportive, and with a high graduation rate of 89%, many students successfully transition into the workforce or further education, paving their paths to success.

When it comes to the financial side of things, the net price after financial aid stands at $18,260, a figure that reflects a commitment to accessibility. The median debt for graduates is relatively manageable at $15,650, which suggests that most students leave with a reasonable financial burden. Those who thrive here are typically driven, open-minded individuals who seek a meaningful education and are ready to engage with the world around them.

Can I Get In?

How selective Soka University of America is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Soka University of America? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Soka University of America, located in Aliso Viejo, California, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 43%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,440. The graduation rate is roughly 89%.

Acceptance Rate
43%
Retention Rate
90%
SAT Average
1440
ACT Midpoint
26
SAT Range
1333–1510
Full-Time Faculty
77%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$13,313
Student–Faculty Ratio
7:1
Diversity Index
0.65
Applicants
498
Admitted
282

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Soka University of America? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Soka University of America is $38,728, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,260. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,020 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,650 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$38,728
Out-of-State
$38,728
Avg Net Price
$18,260
Median Debt
$15,650
Pell Grant Rate
20%
Federal Loan Rate
37%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$12,020
Family Income $30K–$48K
$10,619
Family Income $48K–$75K
$12,049
Family Income $110K+
$30,940

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Students Like You

Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Soka University of America — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is Soka University of America Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Soka University of America earn a median of $55,017, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$42,696
8 Years
$48,195
10 Years
$55,017
Debt-to-Earnings
0.28x
Loan Repayment (3yr)
82%

Earnings Trajectory

$42,696 6yr $48,195 8yr $55,017 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (80)
80%
100% (80)
80%
100% (80)
80%
100% (80)
80%

How Soka Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation89%Earnings 10yr$55KNet Price$18KRetention90%Median Debt$16KPell Grant Rate20%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$12K$0-30K$11K$30-48K$12K$48-75K$31K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Soka University of America Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Soka University of America delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,260/year ($73,040 total). Graduates earn $55,017 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,536,043 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,463,003 (21.0× your investment). The median debt is $15,650, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 89% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$73,040
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,536,043
Net Return
$1,463,003
ROI Multiple
21.0×
Cost Per Year
$18,260
Median Debt
$15,650
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
89%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Investment Income
$-124,840,000

Top Programs

The fields Soka University of America awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Top Careers

Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Soka University of America's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Soka University of America? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Soka University of America, located in Aliso Viejo, California, reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 43%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,440. The graduation rate is roughly 89%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Soka University of America? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Soka University of America is $38,728, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,260. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,020 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,650 in federal student loans.

Is Soka University of America Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Soka University of America earn a median of $55,017, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

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The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

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The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

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