Southern California Institute of Architecture
Los Angeles, California · Private Nonprofit · 76.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 65/100 · Fair Value
Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc) scores 65 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale -- an unusual profile for a specialized architecture school. The debt-to-earnings ratio score is 100 because Scorecard does not report median debt for this institution (the reported value is 0, which is likely a data artifact rather than a genuine zero-debt outcome). The Scorecard also does not report median monthly payment. With these critical variables missing, the ROI score has significant uncertainty. What is reported: a $45,300 median 6-year earnings, $71,909 at 10 years, an 8.6-year payback period, a 71.4% completion rate, and a $43,923 net price on $56,162 sticker tuition. The repayment rate at one year (53.7%) is low -- about half of borrowers are not reducing principal within a year of enrollment. SCI-Arc is a nationally recognized architecture program with only 236 undergraduates; it operates more like a graduate professional school than a traditional college. The program list is empty in Scorecard program-level data, meaning no program-specific earnings are available.
Southern California Institute of Architecture
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $56,162/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $56,162/yr |
| Average net price | $43,923/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $175,692 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $71,909 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $45,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | N/A |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $0 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 71.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 236 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Southern California Institute of Architecture is $56,162/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $43,923/year, or roughly $175,692 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $36,824/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay N/A/year.
The median graduate leaves with N/A in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $0 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $71,909 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.00 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $36,824 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $38,430 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $66,362 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | N/A |
| $110,001+ | N/A |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families in the $0-$30,000 bracket pay $36,824 per year at SCI-Arc -- a high net price for the lowest-income students. The $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $38,430. SCI-Arc's aid model leaves very little room for lower-income families. Against $45,300 median 6-year earnings and an 8.6-year payback, low-income students face a difficult financial calculation. The 53.7% one-year repayment rate underscores that many graduates are not in a strong repayment position.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $66,362 per year -- dramatically higher than the lower bands, suggesting either an error in the Scorecard data or a sudden drop in aid for this income range. Scorecard does not report net price for the $75,001-$110,000 bracket. Middle-income families should run the institutional net price calculator directly, as the Scorecard figure for this bracket appears anomalous.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Scorecard does not report net price for the $110,001+ bracket at SCI-Arc. With $56,162 sticker tuition and a $43,923 overall average net price, high-income families are likely paying close to or at sticker. Against $45,300 median 6-year earnings and the additional path to architecture licensure, the full-cost case requires long-run career commitment to design practice.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 53.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 63.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 67.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 55.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 76.6% |
| Enrollment | 236 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 21.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $9,192 |
SCI-Arc admits 76.6% of applicants -- accessible to most who apply, given the self-selecting nature of architecture school applicants. SAT and ACT ranges are not reported. Portfolio quality is almost certainly a central factor in the admissions process, as it is for most design-focused institutions. Prospective students should inquire about portfolio requirements and the school's approach to design education, which differs substantially from conventional university architecture departments.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
SCI-Arc's Scorecard peers include Art Center College of Design and Azusa Pacific University. Art Center is a direct design-school comparable in the Los Angeles area -- similar tuition range, more program diversity, and a different student profile. SCI-Arc is more architecturally specific and research-oriented than most architecture programs. Students choosing between SCI-Arc and traditional university architecture programs (USC, UCLA, CalPoly) should compare program philosophy and the specific design culture of each institution rather than relying primarily on Scorecard earnings data, which is thin for this school.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern California Institute of Architecture (this school) | 65 | $43,923 | $71,909 |
| Capitol Technology University | 79 | $22,102 | $85,035 |
| Azusa Pacific University | 71 | $22,212 | $66,677 |
| Ner Israel Rabbinical College | 66 | $13,572 | $66,330 |
| Art Center College of Design | 56 | $48,661 | $71,958 |
| Logan University | 53 | $20,218 | $55,838 |
Who Thrives Here
SCI-Arc admits 76.6% of applicants. SAT and ACT score ranges are not reported in Scorecard data. With 236 undergraduates, the student body is very small. Pell rate of 21.3% indicates some economic diversity. SCI-Arc attracts students who are specifically committed to architecture and design as a career; this is not a school where students explore majors. The 71.4% completion rate and $43,923 net price demand careful financial planning. Students should understand that architecture licensing requires additional post-degree experience beyond the undergraduate degree.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Southern California Institute of Architecture offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $43,923 per year leads to $175,692 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $71,909 a decade out. The payback period of 8.6 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include a 71.4% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost and concerning loan repayment rates.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.