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Colleges / Soka University of America

Soka University of America

Aliso Viejo, CA 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate53%

Soka University of America Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Soka University of America was $33,218 a year.

Tuition increased 3% in 2023–from $32,250 the previous year. Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students owe far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. And, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college feel more doable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Soka University of America meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Soka University of America is around $36,331 a year.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $23,110 in student loans per borrower.

Does Soka University of America Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Soka University of America is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for residents of California as it does for students who live in other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Take the time to confirm your state's guidelines for how to qualify for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements too, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other California colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to Soka University of America?

Soka University of America has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or school-specific aid and scholarships. International students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for the following types of financial support at Soka University of America:

•Soka University of America-specific loans •Soka University of America-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.


Soka University of America Living Expenses, Fees, and More


Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Soka University of America.

House and Food Costs at Soka University of America

Room and board at Soka University of America is $13,422 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that enables you to eat in the Soka University of America's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities. Students who do not live on-campus but would like to be able to eat in the campus dining can choose to be on a meal plan. The cost of a mean plan, or board-only, is $8,424.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at Soka University of America?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have ways for students with demonstrated need to get help covering these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Soka University of America

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At Soka University of America, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can impact transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in a city may be costly, but there may be more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. Soka University of Americais located in a suburb in California, not far from Los Angeles and San Diego.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.


The Full Cost of Attending Soka University of America


Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to Soka University of America.

Total Cost of Soka University of America

What will the cost of attending Soka University of America be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $33,218
Room and Board $13,422
Board Only $9,360
Other expenses $4,616

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $54,734
Off-Campus $51,896

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Soka University of America’s tuition and fees change based on: •Course load for both full and part-time students


Financial Aid at Soka University of America


The majority of Soka University of America undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2023, 386 of the 435 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Soka University of America meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $36,331 a year. Around 48% of Soka University of America undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Soka University of America graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $23,110 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $19,232
Soka University of America-Specific Loans $29,830
Private Loans $6,000
Most Common Loans for Soka University of America Students
Federal Loans 30%
Institutional Loans 17%
Private loans 1%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Soka University of America financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Soka University of America

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Soka University of America awarded 362 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $10.4 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $3.98 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Soka University of America

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Soka University of America students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Soka University of America was $36,331 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Soka University of America seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus $18,403
Off-Campus $15,565

What will attending Soka University of America really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Soka University of America's net cost calculator on their website.

Soka University of America Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Soka University of America does not have guaranteed tuition.

Soka University of America offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Soka University of America Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Soka University of America has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Soka University of America's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Soka University of America's endowment was valued at $1.2 billion in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million.


Learn More About Soka University of America


To learn more about Soka University of America, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Soka University of America

Soka University of America Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$50,118

In State

$50,118

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$33,218
$33,218
Fees
$2,326
$2,326
Housing
$13,422
$13,422
Books
$1,152
$1,152

Soka University of America Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

83%

Average Financial Aid Package

$37,572

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

445

Campus Setting

Suburban

Acceptance Rate

53%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$35,544

Out-of-State

$35,544

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Jan 15
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