Southern California Institute of Architecture
SCI-Arc
Los Angeles, California 90013-1822
Campus Vibe
Strong graduate outcomes — close-knit campus
Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private urban institution in Los Angeles, California. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.
A small campus of 236 undergraduates with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
70% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $71,909 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $37,535.
Campus Visits
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Southern California Institute of Architecture Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
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
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
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
77.2%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$33,250
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
0
Peer Average
3
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus security, emergency notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (7)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
82%
- •82% 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
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
History & Fun Facts
- •He was awarded the AIA/ACSA Topaz Medal for excellence in architecture education in 1990.
- •Neil Denari became director in 1997, Eric Owen Moss served as director from 2002–2015, and Hernán Díaz Alonso served as director and chief executive officer effective from 2015-2025.
- •On September 1, 2025, Díaz Alonso was succeeded as director and CEO by Winka Dubbeldam.
- •While SCI-Arc initially established a reputation as an unaccredited, experimental school, it has since been accredited.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
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