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PrivateSuburban

Soka University of America

Soka; SUA

Aliso Viejo, California 92656-8081

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Campus Vibe

Small & IntimateSuburbanPrivateClose Faculty Access

Close-knit campus

Soka University of America is a private suburban institution in Aliso Viejo, California. The school is accessible to a wide range of students, with an average SAT of 1360.

A small campus of 464 undergraduates with a 7:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

87% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $55,017 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $21,446.

Established
1987
Motto
"Be philosophers of a renaissance of life;Be world citizens in solidarity for peace;Be the pioneers of a global civilization."
Mascot
Lion
Type
Private liberal arts college
Conference
National Association of

Plan Your Visit

70%Acceptance
1360SAT Avg
464Students
7:1Student:Faculty
87%Grad Rate
$55,017Earnings 10yr
$21,446Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Soka University of America Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate69.5%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1360

Reading & WritingMid: 603
560690
MathMid: 700
660770

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

69.5%

Trend

SAT Avg

1360

Yield Rate

35.0%

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Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$37,450
Room & Board$13,892
Books & Supplies$938
Total Cost of Attendance$52,758
Average Net Price$21,446
Median Debt at Graduation$15,650
Monthly Payment (10yr)$166

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$14,587
$30–48K$9,183
$48–75K$9,378
$75–110K$12,566
$110K+$32,663

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

62.3%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,250

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Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

3

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

1

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

0

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

1

Drug Arrests

1

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (2)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

92%

Positive
  • •92% first-year retention rate
  • •Active student organizations
  • •Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
464
Gender Split
61% / 39%
Women / Men
Pell Grant Recipients
17%

Race & Ethnicity

White 14%
Black 2%
Hispanic 13%
Asian 10%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 54%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate86.9%
Freshman Retention92.3%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$42,696
10 Years$55,017

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#45
↓1
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#173
↑2
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Lions

Women

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

LAX Los Angeles47 mi
SAN San Diego65 mi
LAS Las Vegas228 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2581 mi · ~74h 34m drive
New York, NY2433 mi · ~70h 17m drive
Hartford, CT2499 mi · ~72h 12m drive
Providence, RI2564 mi · ~74h 4m drive
Albany, NY2443 mi · ~70h 35m drive
Syracuse, NY2322 mi · ~67h 5m drive
Rochester, NY2249 mi · ~64h 58m drive
Buffalo, NY2184 mi · ~63h 6m drive
Philadelphia, PA2375 mi · ~68h 37m drive
Pittsburgh, PA2119 mi · ~61h 13m drive
Harrisburg, PA2283 mi · ~65h 57m drive
Newark, NJ2424 mi · ~70h 2m drive
Washington, DC2279 mi · ~65h 50m drive
Baltimore, MD2300 mi · ~66h 27m drive
Atlanta, GA1910 mi · ~55h 11m drive
Charlotte, NC2095 mi · ~60h 31m drive
Raleigh, NC2212 mi · ~63h 54m drive
Miami, FL2304 mi · ~66h 34m drive
Orlando, FL2169 mi · ~62h 40m drive
Tampa, FL2120 mi · ~61h 15m drive
Nashville, TN1757 mi · ~50h 45m drive
New Orleans, LA1639 mi · ~47h 21m drive
Richmond, VA2265 mi · ~65h 26m drive
Chicago, IL1732 mi · ~50h 2m drive
Detroit, MI1969 mi · ~56h 53m drive
Minneapolis, MN1519 mi · ~43h 53m drive
St. Louis, MO1571 mi · ~45h 23m drive
Kansas City, MO1341 mi · ~38h 44m drive
Indianapolis, IN1792 mi · ~51h 46m drive
Columbus, OH1960 mi · ~56h 37m drive
Cleveland, OH2034 mi · ~58h 46m drive
Milwaukee, WI1734 mi · ~50h 6m drive
Dallas, TX1210 mi · ~34h 57m drive
Houston, TX1338 mi · ~38h 39m drive
Austin, TX1192 mi · ~34h 26m drive
San Antonio, TX1167 mi · ~33h 43m drive
Los Angeles, CA45 mi · ~1h 18m drive
San Francisco, CA393 mi · ~11h 21m drive
San Diego, CA67 mi · ~1h 56m drive
Seattle, WA1000 mi · ~28h 53m drive
Portland, OR867 mi · ~25h 3m drive
Denver, CO824 mi · ~23h 48m drive
Phoenix, AZ326 mi · ~9h 25m drive
Salt Lake City, UT593 mi · ~17h 8m drive
Honolulu, HI2583 mi · ~74h 37m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

Los Angeles (LAX)47 miles
Rental car
71 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
94 min$56-94
San Diego (SAN)65 miles
Rental car
98 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
130 min$78-130

Deadline Calendar

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Soka University of America Application Checklist

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Decision Notifications

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Soka University of America — v2 Preview — TourStack