About Southern California Institute of Architecture
Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Los Angeles, California. It enrolls 236 students (a very small, intimate student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorWestern Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Academic CalendarTrimester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
58/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes80
Value8
Affordability12
Selectivity49
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 76.6%, Southern California Institute of Architecture is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
76.6%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Southern California Institute of Architecture is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Southern California Institute of Architecture isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $43,923 per year. That's above the typical net price for private nonprofit colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$43,923
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
21%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
24%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees
$56,162
Room & Board (off-campus)
$13,600
Books & Supplies
$1,700
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$9,600
Total Cost of Attendance
$71,612
Application fee: $85 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$36,824
$30,001 – $48,000
$38,430
$48,001 – $75,000
$66,362
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$17,00025%percentile
$44,50075%percentile
What this means:
21% of students receive Pell grants. Most cost is borne by families above Pell thresholds. Verify your individual aid offer before deciding.
Graduation Rate & Retention
87% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
—
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
87%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
High first-year retention. Students who arrive tend to stay.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Southern California Institute of Architecture earn a median of $71,909 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$71,909
Earning > $25K
82%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
What this means:
Moderate return on investment. Every dollar of net annual cost is matched by ~$1.6 of median earnings 10 years out. Compare carefully against your funding plan.
Who Studies Here
Southern California Institute of Architecture is home to 236 students, an intimate, close-knit community.
Total Enrolled
236
Part-Time
0%
First-Generation
—
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
International 45.8%108
Hispanic 17.0%40
White 17.0%40
Asian 13.1%31
Other 4.2%10
Black 3.0%7
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Southern California Institute of Architecture. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large CityLos Angeles, California
Housing
Commuter campusNo on-campus housing
Adult Learners
18%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Trimesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
Southern California Institute of Architecture offers
a focused set of programs:
6 distinct programs across
4 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Southern California Institute of Architecture is 9:1, low (small classes, more faculty contact).
Student : Faculty
9:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$66M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$83,525
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
43 instructional faculty across 1 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
No Rank
43
100%
$83,525
Pros & Cons of Southern California Institute of Architecture
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Southern California Institute of Architecture tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
Strong first-year retention
Above-average post-graduation earnings
CONS
High net price compared to most US colleges
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
High published cost of attendance before aid
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Narrow program catalog compared to mid-sized peers
Best for:
Based on the data, Southern California Institute of Architecture is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students prioritizing post-graduation earnings; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.
Frequently Asked Questions about Southern California Institute of Architecture
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Southern California Institute of Architecture.
Is Southern California Institute of Architecture hard to get into?
Southern California Institute of Architecture has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 76.6%.
What is the acceptance rate at Southern California Institute of Architecture?
Southern California Institute of Architecture has an acceptance rate of 76.6%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does Southern California Institute of Architecture cost?
The average net price after aid at Southern California Institute of Architecture is $43,923 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Southern California Institute of Architecture worth it?
Moderate return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $71,909 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $43,923 per year. That's roughly 1.6x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Southern California Institute of Architecture known for?
Southern California Institute of Architecture is best known for its programs in Architectural Sciences and Technology, Architectural Sciences and Technology, Graphic Communications. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Southern California Institute of Architecture graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Southern California Institute of Architecture are $71,909, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Southern California Institute of Architecture accredited?
Yes. Southern California Institute of Architecture is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.
How many students attend Southern California Institute of Architecture?
Southern California Institute of Architecture enrolls 236 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
Is Southern California Institute of Architecture a public or private college?
Southern California Institute of Architecture is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Southern California Institute of Architecture located?
Southern California Institute of Architecture is located in Los Angeles, California.
What programs does Southern California Institute of Architecture offer?
Southern California Institute of Architecture offers 6 distinct programs. The most popular include Architectural Sciences and Technology, Architectural Sciences and Technology, Graphic Communications.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Southern California Institute of Architecture?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Southern California Institute of Architecture is 9:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
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