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Soka University of America
Aliso Viejo, CA
Soka University of America (SUA) is a private, liberal arts college located in Aliso Viejo, California. Established in 2001, SUA is affiliated with the Soka Gakkai International (SGI), a Buddhist lay organization. The university aims to foster global citizens who will contribute to society through a comprehensive education that integrates the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
SUA follows a unique educational philosophy grounded in the principles of humanistic education, peace, and global citizenship. The curriculum centers around the Four CÆs: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication. Students are encouraged to think critically and creatively, ask challenging questions, and engage in dialogue with diverse perspectives. The university's core curriculum includes courses in social justice, environmental stewardship, and ethical leadership, providing students with a well-rounded education that recognizes the interconnectedness of global issues.
The campus of Soka University of America is renowned for its striking architecture and beautiful landscape, with a central courtyard surrounded by academic buildings. The university also offers various extracurricular activities, including student-led clubs, sports teams, and cultural events that promote diversity and foster a sense of community. SUA prioritizes multiculturalism and international understanding, attracting a diverse student body from around the world. With its emphasis on global citizenship and commitment to peace, Soka University of America provides a nurturing environment for students to develop intellectually, socially, and ethically.
Soka University of America is a private comprehensive higher education institution located in Aliso Viejo, CA and set in a suburban environment. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 69%. The freshman retention rate at Soka University of America is 92% and the six-year graduation rate is 87%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 15. Explore this school's profile to find out all the essential things about Soka University of America.
Quick Facts
476
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
69%
Acceptance Rate
$35,584
Tuition
7:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
87%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to discover as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to improve your chances of being accepted. Read on to learn some important data about admission at Soka University of America.
According to the newest data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 276 in 2024. Soka University of America has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the applicant. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. This prominent institution with a rich history offers an excellent learning experience to its students.
Test Scores
Out of the number of applicants who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 25% and ACT scores 3%. 42% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 41% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 17% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 50, 25 between 24-29 and 25 in the range between 18-23.
The average ACT score for all the accepted students in 2024 was 27 while the average GPA was 3.6. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Soka University of America; the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 607 for the accepted students, while the average SAT Math score was 692.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 15.
69%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Soka University of America was 92% in 2024, which is an amazing retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 87%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Figuring out which school is the right fit for you is not a task you should take lightly. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by learning more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Soka University of America in 2024 was 476.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 44% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 476, 251 of which were foreign students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 182 male and 282 female full-time students in 2024. 6 full-time graduate men and 4 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 47, while the number of Black American students was 10. 61 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 25 identified with more than one race. There were also 7 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before submitting an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into consideration. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $35,584 in 2024. Soka University of America is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2024 were mandated to pay additional fees in the amount of $3,144.
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important financial element. The approximate price of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,062.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Soka University of America was $14,378 in 2024.
| Tuition | $ 35,584 |
| Room and Board | $ 14,378 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,062 |
| Total Expense | $ 51,024 |
Financial Aid
Getting some financial help in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be very important for completing your studies. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at Soka University of America.
According to the most recent data, 118 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students reached $46,378.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
There were 409 students who acquired need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Soka University of America is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 430. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $450,850, and state $245,457.
$10,423
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 430 students overall (including freshmen) at Soka University of America in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 118 full-time freshmen. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $4,532,257. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $70,958 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Faculty
7:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Soka University of America was 7:1: that means 7 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 92. This number included 43 men and 49 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at Soka University of America.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Soka University of America is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about students' life at Soka University of America.
Its campus is 103 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 31. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 70 and female students 70. The student organization that is most favored by students is Soul Wings (Choir), followed by Ka Pilina Ho'olokahi (Hawaiian Dance Club) and Sualseros (Salsa Dance Club). Other popular organizations among the students at Soka University of America are Rhythmission (Hip Hop Dance Club) and Josho Daiko (Japanese Drum Club).
If you are interested in music, you can join the Soka University of America band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a passion for media and communication? Soka University of America publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
Soka University of America has a number of services needed for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances at the school are electronically controlled. There is a round-the-clock security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. All in all, campus life at Soka University of America is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Soka University of America.
Career Counselling
At Soka University of America, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Soka University of America is located in Aliso Viejo, CA.
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Soka University of America offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for Soka University of America is 35,584 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Soka University of America is 69%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Soka University of America is 92%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.