About

The Soka University of America is a respectable institution founded in 1987, that guides its students toward a successful life. Not only do they teach their students the knowledge that books provide, but they also teach the value of life.

The private, non-profit graduate school and liberal arts college have affiliations with Soka Gakkai. However, the University follows a perfectly secular curriculum while maintaining Buddhist values, like the coexistence of humanity and nature, pacifism, and more.

The University ranks #1 among America's Liberal Arts colleges in terms of most international students admitted. Students from over 60 countries get the opportunity to choose from over 80 courses that the University provides. With an acceptance rate of 52%, the University hosts more than 400 students.

Top Reasons to Study in the Soka University of America

Since its establishment in 1987, Soka University of America has proved to be one of the best academic institutions in the US. These are the major reasons to apply to this elite University.

  • According to U.S. News and World Report, the University ranks among California's top 5 Liberal Arts colleges.
  • The University has an excellent study-abroad programme where students get the opportunity to learn about the world firsthand while they are studying.
  • According to Niche, 87% of graduated students have been seen to remain employed after two years of their graduation.

Cost of Studying at Soka University of America

Average tuition fee

NA

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5000+ Students

Availed education loan

3000+ Cr

Loan amount sanctioned

100% Free

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Living expenses

Average living expenses (Bachelors)

$18,846

Average living expenses (Masters)

$18,846

Average on-campus living expenses

$13,032

Rankings for The Soka University of America

More rankings for this university

According to Collegefactual.com, Soka University of America ranks #2 in America's 'best colleges for your money'. According to the Institute of International Education's Open Doors Data, the University ranks #1 for its Undergraduate student's participation in the Study Abroad program. According to Next College Student Athlete, the institute ranks #2 among 140+ NAIA Colleges for Student-Athletes.

Admissions at The Soka University of America

How to Apply at Soka University of America

  • Students can either submit an online application or a paper application.
  • Applicants would be required to pay USD 30 (INR 2,298) for an online application and USD 45 (INR 3,446) for a paper application.
  • Students need to create an account on the University's website and pay the Soka University of America Application fees.
  • Students are required to upload all the necessary documents and valid proof of test scores.

Documents Required to Apply to Soka University of America

The few documents that are required by the University are -

  • Reports of previous test marks and two academic recommendations. 
  • Test score reports of English proficiency.
  • Official transcripts. 
  • Approved foreign credentials from a valid governing body.
  • Two personal essays of 500-700 words.

Exams Accepted By the University

The following examination scores are accepted as part of Soka University of America admission requirements.

For UG and PG

TOEFL iBT (Minimum score: 100)

Duolingo Language Test (Minimum score: 120)

For UG

Valid High School Completion Certificate

For PG

Valid Bachelor’s Degree (Minimum GPA: 2.7)

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Courses

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Campus

Number of campuses the university has
1

Campus locations
California

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Transportation in the city

The city has a good transportation system where students can easily avail buses, trains, and cabs. The University address is '1 University Drive in Aliso Viejo, California'. Bus line 87 passes near the University, and students can also reach there by shuttles.


Services offered by the university

Along with excellent education, the University provides various amenities starting from opportunities to study abroad to financial aid.

  • Students get financial aid, like 'Dr. Montgomery Scholarship', 'Makiguchi Scholarship', or 'Ikeda Scholarship' depending on their academic merit, and others on their athletic and artistic merit.
  • The University has the best study-abroad programme in California. Students at Soka spend a semester away at no extra cost. They learn about new cultures and experience the way of the world firsthand.
  • The campus has a health centre where a licensed medical practitioner is present to oversee medical issues.

Student life

Students require a thriving campus life with social and extracurricular activities and the Soka University of America understands that. Other than studies, some other features of the campus life are -

  • The University has various athletics clubs for different sports, like Martial Arts, Archery, Basketball, Cheerleading, and more.
  • Students with interests in arts, like dance and performing music, can find their own places in such clubs as well.
  • Students with a voice for their community can find clubs like Climate Reality, Asian Pacific Diasporas, LGBTeam, and more.
  • The University holds several leadership events to help students achieve a better future.

On campus accomodation

Soka University of America Campus spans 103 acres and has on-campus housing facilities. Both undergraduate and graduate students get the opportunity to live there as per their needs.

The residence halls at the University have three types of rooms - Sunrise and Sunset halls for first-year undergraduate students, single rooms with private bathrooms for second, third, and fourth-year undergraduate students. and Suite-style rooms at the Umoja Hall for graduate students. As of session 2022-23, room and boarding at the University can cost a student about USD 13,422 (INR 1,026,012).


Faculty

University Faculty:Student Ratio

7:1

University Faculty Stats

According to a government report, the Soka University of America has over 50 full-time faculty staff and over 20 part-time faculty staff. The student-to-faculty ratio at the institute is 7:1. The esteemed faculty led by the University president, Edward M. Feasel strive to make their students successful.

Opportunities

Research opportunities at university

The acclaimed professors at the University are actively researching in their respective fields. They often work with undergraduate students. The students also complete their own capstone projects in their senior year. Graduate students of the University have also been doing research projects worldwide. Students can find research projects in their field of choice on the University website and therefore contact the professors accordingly.


Internship opportunities (Part time job opportunities)

The Soka University of America has a Career Development Services and Internships team that helps students find proper internship and job opportunities. They partner with international, national, regional, and local organisations for internship and employment opportunities.

The University organises campus job fairs, jobs, and internships via Handshake, on-campus recruitment sessions, and interviews. The contact of the University's internship coordinator, Alisa Proctor is given on the University website.


Placement - Companies and average salaries offered

According to Niche, on average, around 87% of students graduate from the University. They graduate with handsome jobs at hand and they have been seen to remain employed after two years of graduation. The median earnings per annum of the students have been seen to be around USD 31,200 (INR 2,389,192) after two years of graduation.

Contact


Email

grad_admissions@soka.edu

Address

1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

FAQ