Soka University of America
- Private
- Liberal arts college
Soka University of America: international tuition 38,486 USD per year, one-year total cost ≈ 55,064 USD, acceptance rate 43.4%. Need-based aid is open to international students. Published minimum English scores: TOEFL iBT 4, Duolingo 115.
Yes: a Vietnamese first-year applicant may seek need-based financial aid through Soka's international aid application. The merit scholarship is automatically considered at admission, but the supplied pages do not explicitly confirm international eligibility for it.
Getting in. The school admits 43.4% of applicants. Admitted students scored around Reading and Writing 620–720, Math 713–790. The SAT and ACT are optional: a score counts if you send one, and you can still apply without it. For English, the school asks for TOEFL iBT 4+ or Duolingo 115+. No IELTS score is listed.
Cost for a year. One year comes to about 55,064 USD, before any scholarship. 1 scholarship comes with an amount, but none says international students can apply, so nothing is taken off yet.
Deadline and visa. The application deadline is 1/11. You apply through Common Application. How long the visa takes is up to the consulate; see the country note.
Admissions checked 13/10/2026Cost checked 11/10/2026
What is the tuition at Soka University of America?
International tuition is 38,486 USD per year. The total cost for one year is ≈ 55,064 USD.
Does Soka University of America offer scholarships for international students?
Need-based aid is open to international students. Yes: a Vietnamese first-year applicant may seek need-based financial aid through Soka's international aid application. The merit scholarship is automatically considered at admission, but the supplied pages do not explicitly confirm international eligibility for it.
What English scores does Soka University of America require?
Published minimum English scores: TOEFL iBT 4, Duolingo 115.
What is the acceptance rate at Soka University of America?
The acceptance rate is 43.4%.
- Pay in fullYesPay in fullOnce admitted you can enrol straight away — no scholarship decision to wait for.Your family covers all tuition and living costs for every year of the degree.You will need: your application and proof that your family can pay — the school needs it to issue your visa documents.
- Aid with the offerUnclearAid with the offerThe school decides aid while reviewing your application, so any need-based or merit award arrives with the offer.The school's official pages do not say whether international students get aid at admission — worth asking the admissions office directly.
- Apply separately for scholarshipsUnclearApply separately for scholarshipsOn top of the admission application, you send a separate scholarship application or get nominated.The pages we read mention no scholarship with its own application. Not seeing one does not mean there is none — ask the school.
For Vietnamese students
Vietnamese community nearby
Students on campus lifeiPublic YouTube videos by students and the school, matched to this school's name; Vietnamese videos first. Each reflects its creator's own view.
- TheRealNirvana2025Vlog
- TheRealNirvana2023Campus tour
- Soka University of America2024Official
Contact
Tuition and cost for a year
Compared with 727 private United States schools with published tuition in Duckling's data.
VND converted at Vietcombank's selling rate on 15/10/2026; indicative only — the real amount depends on the rate when you pay.
Scholarships and aid for international students
- Is merit considered automatically with the application?UnclearThe Soka Merit Scholarship is automatically considered upon admission, but that passage does not explicitly state that it applies to international students.
- Is admission need-blind for international applicants?UnclearThe provided pages do not state whether admissions decisions disregard an international applicant's ability to pay.
- Is the CSS Profile or a school aid form required?YesThe page directs international students to use the Soka International Student Financial Aid Application for need-based financial aid.
Scholarships at this school
Soka Loan (International and Dreamer Students)Intl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.OtherOtherDoes not fit the groups above; see the scholarship page for conditions.Separate application requiredSchool page
The page says international students may apply for a Soka Loan, but this is an institutional loan rather than the stated scholarship.
- Renewable in later years
Soka Merit ScholarshipIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page
The page says all admitted students receive automatic consideration, but it does not explicitly establish international eligibility in the same passage.
- Renewable in later years
Soka Opportunity GrantIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.Need-basedNeed-basedAwarded on family financial circumstances, usually via the CSS Profile or the school's own form.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page
- Renewable in later years
Deadline: Priority deadline for new applicants: Feb 15; financial aid application deadline: Mar 2.
Admission requirements
Compared with 349 United States schools that publish an application fee in Duckling's data.
SAT / ACT of enrolled students
English
Application requirements
- High-school transcriptRequired
- English proficiencyiNon-native speakers must submit TOEFL iBT or Duolingo English Test; IELTS is not accepted.Required
- Teacher recommendationiTwo recommendation letters are required, preferably academic; up to three are accepted.Required
- EssaysiThe catalog page says two essays are required, while the How to Apply page says one.Required
- Supplementary applicationRequired
- SATACTOptional
How to apply
Minimum English scores vs other schools
Compared with 164 United States schools admitting 40–70% that publish it in Duckling's data.
Deadlines
- Early Action application and document deadline (EA)Applicationabout17days
- Early Action decision date (EA)Decision+54 days
- Regular Admission application and document deadline (RD)Application+92 days
- Priority financial aid application deadline (international)Financial aid+123 days
- Final financial aid application deadline (international)Financial aid+138 days
- Regular Admission decision date (RD)Decision+151 days
- Financial aid supporting materials dueFinancial aid+198 days
- Supporting Materials DueOther+198 days
- Financial aid supporting materials dueDocuments+198 days
Programs
Outcomes
Staying in United States after graduation
OPT: 12 months of work in your field after each degree level; degrees on the DHS STEM list can extend by 24 months (up to 36 months in total). Unemployment during OPT is capped at 90 days (150 days with the STEM extension). Note: on 8 October 2026 DHS published a PROPOSED rule charging USD 70,000 for initial OPT and USD 30,000 for later OPT; it is not in force, and comments close on 9 November 2026.
Climate
School & campus
Where the school is
Detailed map
Academics & housing
Why this school is listed: accepts applications through the Common App.
Updated 11/10/2026How Duckling sources data