Soka University of America

Overview

Type
4-year • Private
Campus Life
Small • Suburban
Average Per Year After Aid
$11K
SAT Range
1280–1410
Graduation Rate
91%

Soka University of America is a small, 4-year, private university. This coed college is located in a large town in a suburban setting and is primarily a residential campus. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees.

From the Institution

Soka University of America is a private, non-profit institution of higher education located in Aliso Viejo, California. Soka offers a BA in liberal arts and an MA in Educational Leadership and Societal Change. Each offers a unique curriculum that emphasizes leadership and contributive citizenship. The college was founded on the Buddhist principles of peace, human rights, and the sanctity of life. The school's curriculum, however, is entirely secular. Soka undergraduates all study a non-native language and study abroad for a semester in a country where that language is spoken, the cost of which is included in tuition. Undergraduates choose from concentrations in Environmental Studies, Humanities, International Studies, Life Sciences, or Social and Behavioral Sciences. Soka's mission "to foster a steady stream of global citizens committed to living a contributive life" is infused into the curriculum and campus community. Life at SUA focuses on the growth and development of students as global citizens and provides a wide variety of programs that emphasize engagement, collaboration, activism, advocacy, team-building, and community. In order to ensure that the university is accessible to all admitted students, our Office of Financial Aid partners with students and families to promote greater diversity and access. SUA has a comprehensive merit and need-based financial aid program that ensures the fair distribution of institutional, state, and federal funds. Classrooms are centers of dialogue and discussion, emphasizing seminar course settings with an average class size of 13 (the student/faculty ratio is 7:1). All undergraduate students live on campus. The average first-year student retention is 92% with 87% graduating within six years. Nearly half of the student body is international. In 2008, Soka became the smallest and youngest university to offer full tuition to admitted students whose annual family income is $60,000 or less; now more than 90% of our students-both domestic and international-receive need-based and/or merit-based scholarships totaling over $14 million.

Interested in applying?

College Board Code

4066

Application Types Accepted

Common Application
Online through college's own website

Religious Affiliation

Nondenominational

Fee Waiver Info

Available to all qualified students. Visit the college website for details.

Learn More?

Contact Information

Important Dates

Dates are subject to change so confirm important deadlines by visiting the college’s website.

January 15

Regular Application Due

March 2

Financial Aid Application Due

Next Steps