C+
Above Average
Score: 59/100
Overall (traditional)
C
Outcome Rating
53/100 · earnings-weighted

Soka University of America

4-Year Private Non-Profit
📍 Aliso Viejo, California 92656
Soka University of America campus, Aliso Viejo, CA
Soka University of America campus, Aliso Viejo, CA. Photo: Beyond My Ken, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
ℹ️
Rating Context: This institution has fewer than 500 students. Smaller schools may show more rating variability due to limited data points.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (A+) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 87%
Outcomes
A+
91/100
Affordability
F
11/100
Resources
C+
64/100
Experience
A+
90/100
Prestige
C
41/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

476
Total Enrollment
87%
Graduation Rate
92%
Retention Rate
7.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
70%
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Avg Net Price

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Soka University of America, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$55,017
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$42,696
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$15,650
Median debt at graduation
91.8%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
1,440
Average SAT
26
Median ACT
20.4%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 28% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 29th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (CA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Soka University of America

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$19,776$52,896+-0%#232 of 476#361$18,750

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Soka University of America Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $993,866
  • Avg rent near campus: $3,568/mo
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 92637 (4.7% cap, Laguna Woods)

Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.

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Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $34,382 $34,382
Total Cost (On-Campus) $55,064 $55,064

Financial Aid

100%
Receive Any Aid
16%
Receive Pell Grants
73%
Take Out Loans
N/A
Avg Net Price

Student Demographics

476
Total Students
60%
Women
98%
Traditional Age (18-24)

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 14%
Hispanic 13%
Black 2%
Asian 10%
Two or More 5%
Non-Resident 55%

🏠 Living Arrangements

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 100%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 98%
25-64 (Adult) 1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Soka University of America?
Soka University of America has an acceptance rate of 70%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Soka University of America?
Tuition at Soka University of America is $34,382 for in-state students and $34,382 for out-of-state students .
What is the graduation rate at Soka University of America?
The graduation rate at Soka University of America is 87%. This is considered an excellent graduation rate, indicating strong student success and support systems.
Is Soka University of America a good school?
Soka University of America has a Repit College Score of 59/100 (Grade: C+). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (A+): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (A+): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (C): Reputation and recognition
Note: As a smaller institution, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.
How many students attend Soka University of America?
Soka University of America has a total enrollment of 476 students. Most students (98%) are traditional college-age (18-24).

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Soka University of America — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

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Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology