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Where human spirit  fuels global change.

12
Average class size
40+
Nations represented on campus
$0
Tuition for families earning under $90k
12
Average class size
40+
Nations represented on campus
$0
Tuition for families earning under $90k

Learning with purpose

At Soka University of America, a liberal arts education cultivates critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and the essential qualities of global citizenship.

Wisdom
A smiling graduate stands behind a wooden podium adorned with a university seal and a large bouquet of colorful flowers. She wears a graduation cap and blue stole, happily pointing toward the audience with one hand.

Peace through understanding

For Soka students, wisdom means learning to see how issues connect, not just across academic disciplines, but across global communities and our planet's ecosystems. Small seminars and close faculty mentorship give students the space and guidance to practice that kind of expansive thinking.

Courage
Two students stand outdoors on a stage in front of large, colorful letters spelling "SOKA." Both hold microphones and papers while addressing an audience under a bright blue sky with wispy clouds.

Strength through difference

Students from 40+ nations share classrooms and residence halls at SUA. That daily exchange of perspectives, languages, and experiences is where courage grows, shaping students who respect and learn from each other.

Compassion
A group of young volunteers, including a student in a Soka University hoodie, are busy packing cardboard boxes with non-perishable food items like canned soup, peanut butter, and cereal at a large food bank warehouse.

Empathy in action

Soka's curriculum is rooted in global peace, human rights, development, and sustainability. Students graduate prepared to engage the world's hardest challenges with open minds and genuine care for communities far beyond their own.

What sets Soka apart

Three students work together on laptops

Small classes, real connections

With an average class size of 12 and a 7:1 student-faculty ratio, professors can provide guidance that’s tailored to your questions and goals at every stage of your academic journey.

Study abroad photo of a student at Machu Picchu, Peru.

Everyone studies abroad

As part of the four-year degree, all undergraduates study abroad for a semester at no additional cost. Choosing from programs in Chinese, French, Japanese, or Spanish, you will immerse yourself in another culture and put global citizenship into practice.

Students applaud during a welcome back event on SUA's campus.

A community of many cultures

Over 25 years, students from 60+ nations have called Soka home. Today, 40+ countries across six continents are represented on campus, all brought together by a shared passion for building a more just and peaceful world.

A diverse group of seven friends laughing and hanging out around a curved couch in a sunlit room.

Transform education. Transform society.

The M.A. in Educational Leadership and Societal Change is a two-year program for emerging leaders who believe educational systems can build more just and equitable communities. Students pursue original research on questions in education that span global cultures. Graduates go on to doctoral programs in education, sociology, and social work, as well as roles developing curriculum, advising on policy, or managing humanitarian work.

Explore Graduate Studies

The Soka Opportunity Plan

Full tuition for undergraduate students from families earning under $90,000. Significant aid for families earning up to $300,000.

Build a vibrant experience

At Soka, there’s a whole world to discover outside of your academic courses.

Swimmer

Athletics

One in five Soka students competes as a varsity athlete across 11 NAIA sports. Athletic scholarships are available.

A student sits on a bed using a laptop in a cozy dorm room decorated with string lights, colorful posters, a tapestry, and a ukulele.

Housing

Ten residence halls with dedicated first-year housing and upper-division suites. Dedicated residential staff, a 24/7 safety team, and convenient campus amenities to help you stay focused on learning.

wo smiling students hold up their lunch—a salad bowl and a sandwich—while standing in a modern university cafeteria with digital menu boards.

Dining

Soka partners with Bon Appétit for a dining program built around quality and global palates.

Student taiko drummers in blue and black attire perform on a dark stage with purple lighting. Motion blur captures their energetic strikes on the large drums.

Clubs and activities

More than a dozen clubs — from taiko drumming to Model U.N. and Pre-Health. The Soka Student Union gives every undergraduate a voice in how campus runs. Student Activities organizes regular excursions across Los Angeles and Orange County.

A student gives a presentation about an internship to a group seated at a long table. A large screen displays "PROX INTERN" and various photos.

Career Development

The Career Development Office supports you in everything from résumé writing and interview prep to graduate school planning. Bridges to Business equips students for careers in social impact entrepreneurship through coaching, networking, and pitch competitions.

Build a vibrant experience

At Soka, there’s a whole world to discover outside of your academic courses.

Athletics

One in five Soka students competes as a varsity athlete across 11 NAIA sports. Athletic scholarships are available.

Housing

Ten residence halls with dedicated first-year housing and upper-division suites. Dedicated residential staff, a 24/7 safety team, and convenient campus amenities to help you stay focused on learning.

Dining

Soka partners with Bon Appétit for a dining program built around quality and global palates.

Clubs and activities

More than a dozen clubs — from taiko drumming to Model U.N. and Pre-Health. The Soka Student Union gives every undergraduate a voice in how campus runs. Student Activities organizes regular excursions across Los Angeles and Orange County.

Career Development

The Career Development Office supports you in everything from résumé writing and interview prep to graduate school planning. Bridges to Business equips students for careers in social impact entrepreneurship through coaching, networking, and pitch competitions.

Campus news

Stories about the people, ideas, and events that shape SUA, from the classroom to communities around the world.

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