Discover a Path to Global Opportunities

Small Enough to Know Everyone

Global Enough to Change Everything

Classmates from 40+ nations. Seminars of 12. Required study abroad included in tuition. 

 

This is Soka

Founded in 2001, Soka University of America is among the newest four-year liberal arts colleges in the United States. 

Our mission is to foster global citizens who serve humanity through wisdom, courage, and compassion.

Aerial shot of campus during sunset with the sky burning pink and blue

Our Campus

Soka's hilltop campus sits between Los Angeles (60 miles north) and San Diego (60 miles south) and is just 3 miles from the Pacific Ocean.

Students working on laptops in Pauling Hall classroom

Our Classroom

Our 7:1 student-faculty ratio enables real mentorship, helping students discover new interests and build work experience through research assistantships.

Image of students chatting by the track.

Our Students

Roughly half of our students are international, hailing from 40+ countries across six continents — an unprecedented global reach for a college of under 500 students.

This is Soka

Founded in 2001, Soka University of America is among the newest four-year liberal arts colleges in the United States. 

Our mission is to foster global citizens who serve humanity through wisdom, courage, and compassion.

Our Campus

Soka's hilltop campus sits between Los Angeles (60 miles north) and San Diego (60 miles south) and is just 3 miles from the Pacific Ocean.

Our Classroom

Our 7:1 student-faculty ratio enables real mentorship, helping students discover new interests and build work experience through research assistantships.

Our Students

Roughly half of our students are international, hailing from 40+ countries across six continents — an unprecedented global reach for a college of under 500 students.

Students at work in science lab

What You'll Study

One B.A. in Liberal Arts. Five concentrations. Infinite directions.

  • Environmental Studies — Sustainability & global challenges
  • Humanities — Culture, values, creative expression
  • International Studies — Politics, economics, global forces
  • Life Sciences — Biology, health, living systems
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences — Society & human behavior
Four students smile as they take part in DEI Orientation Day activities

Who Thrives at Soka

Students from the United States and 40 other nations—all united by purpose.

√   You care about contributing to a more just and peaceful world

√   You seek understanding, not just debate

√   You see differences as opportunities

√   You ask “how can I help?” first

Graduates, wearing their cap and gown, stand and applaud during the 2025 commencement ceremony.

Where This Leads

Critical thinkers who adapt — in finance, nonprofits, and beyond.

  • Chloe Ballard ‘19 M.B.A. from EM Strasbourg. Now sustainability coordinator, Windsor, CA.
  • Ninh Le ‘22 Medical research lab → bioinformatics Ph.D. at Georgia Tech.
  • Natsuha Kataoka ‘23 Asian studies Ph.D. at Cambridge, researching fashion in 19th-century Japan.
  • MacKenzie Kermoade ‘19 Environmental law master’s, Edinburgh → marine policy in Copenhagen.
     

Financial Aid

100% of students receive financial aid — including international students. Beginning with the 2027–2028 academic year, the updated Soka Opportunity Plan will apply to all eligible new and continuing undergraduate students.

Annual Family IncomeWhat SUA covers
Under $200,000Full tuition
$200,001 - $250,00050% of tuition
$250,001 - $300,00025% of tuition

All admitted students receive a merit scholarship, regardless of family income.
Study abroad is included — no additional program fees beyond normal tuition.

From the Classroom to the World

Over 25 years, students from 60+ nations have called Soka home. Today, classmates from 40 countries share residence halls, seminar tables, and late-night conversations about changing the world. When half your campus is international, difference becomes dialogue, and understanding becomes the foundation for peace.

100% of Students Study Abroad • No Extra Cost

Language and culture learning are central to your education from your first semester at Soka. By the time you graduate, you’ll have spent a semester immersed in another country — building not just language skills, but the capacity to engage meaningfully across borders.

Languages offered: Chinese (Mandarin), French, Japanese, Spanish

Recent study abroad destinations: Argentina, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, France, Japan, Mexico, Senegal, Spain

Flowers Orange

Life on Campus

100% of students live on campus all four years – guaranteed.

At 480 undergraduates, our tight-knit community is built on authentic connection. When your classes and extracurriculars are a short walk from where you live, chance encounters grow into creative collaborations and lifelong friendships.

Our residence halls aren’t just places to sleep – they’re dynamic environments that encourage social interaction while also offering you a comfortable space to unwind. All rooms include a private bathroom that you’ll share only with your roommate or suitemate.

20% of students are student-athletes. Competition teaches lessons beyond the field: working with teammates from different backgrounds, staying focused under pressure, bouncing back from setbacks. The discipline from training and leadership from team challenges carry into whatever career you choose.

Athletic scholarships are available. We compete in NAIA Division I across six sports:

  • Swimming & Diving (Men’s & Women’s)
  • Track & Field (Men’s & Women’s)
  • Cross Country (Men’s & Women’s)
  • Golf (Men’s & Women’s)
  • Soccer (Men’s & Women’s)
  • Volleyball (Men’s)

Aliso Viejo, Orange County — 3 miles from the Pacific Ocean
Soka’s hilltop campus sits between Los Angeles (60 miles north) and San Diego (60 miles south), offering proximity to:

  • Global employers in industries like technology, entertainment and media, and pharmaceutical research
  • World class centers of art and culture across Orange, Los Angeles, and San Diego counties
  • Stunning natural landscapes, from beaches and estuaries to deserts and snowcapped mountains
  • The mild weather in coastal Southern California means Soka students can enjoy hiking and outdoor study sessions year round.

Take A Virtual Campus Tour

Ready to Learn More?

If you want an education designed to build not just a successful career, but a life of contribution, let’s talk.

Are you ready to apply? Start your application today →

Schedule a Visit
Virtual Info Session
Request Information