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Southern California Institute of Architecture

#1474 in US ranking Los Angeles, CA
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$73,311
Tuition & fees
$56,162
Avg. aid
$25,262
Receiving aid
26%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
77%
Avg. SAT
1295

Outcomes

Graduation rate
71%
Median salary
$58,357
1 yr after graduation

What does Southern California Institute of Architecture offer in terms of athletics?

SCI-Arc is a specialized design school, and varsity sports are not a defining part of its offerings. No intercollegiate athletic teams or conference affiliation are identified in the reported institutional information.

Applicants looking for NCAA competition, athletic recruiting, or sports scholarships should not assume those opportunities exist at SCI-Arc. Informal recreation and exercise are separate from varsity athletics; students interested in a particular club or fitness activity should check what is currently available through student activities and in the surrounding community.

What student groups and Associations are available at Southern California Institute of Architecture?

The Student Union is a reported avenue for student representation and involvement at SCI-Arc. At a small, architecture-focused school, students may also connect through shared studios and collaborative design work, though those activities should not be confused with formally recognized clubs.

Applicants interested in organizing events, serving in student leadership, or finding a group centered on a particular identity or professional interest should consult the current student-organization roster. Club names and activity levels can change, so a current listing is more useful than assuming that a previously mentioned group is still active.

Who studies at Southern California Institute of Architecture?

SCI-Arc enrolled 418 students in the reported institutional count, making it a small school by enrollment. The incoming first-time, degree-seeking undergraduate group numbered 40, and 27 degree-seeking undergraduates transferred in.

The reported age distribution includes substantial numbers of students in their early and late twenties: 143 were ages 22-24 and 107 were ages 25-29. That mix reflects a student body that is not limited to recent high school graduates, although applicants should not infer an individual student's degree level or background from age alone. The reported student-to-faculty ratio was 9 to 1; this institutional measure does not specify the size of a particular studio or seminar.

How does student life look like at Southern California Institute of Architecture?

Everyday student life at SCI-Arc is closely tied to studio work, reviews, exhibitions, and the school's downtown building. Because students live off campus, the experience differs from a residential college organized around dormitories and dining halls.

The institute reports access to personal or psychological counseling. Students should check the current arrangements for appointments, urgent support, and referrals, especially since an on-campus health clinic is not reported. For newcomers, orientation and the routines of a shared studio can be important ways to meet classmates; prospective students should also account for travel home after evening work or events.

What libraries are available to students at Southern California Institute of Architecture?

SCI-Arc's main library is the Kappe Library, an academic resource for architecture research and coursework. It is named for the school's co-founder, Ray Kappe, and supports study in a field where students often need drawings, books, periodicals, and research beyond ordinary web searches.

Students preparing a paper, precedent study, or design project should check the library's current catalog, electronic resources, research-help options, and borrowing rules. Access hours matter to studio students in particular: the reported library information does not identify it as a 24-hour study space.

Southern California Institute of Architecture Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

418

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

40

Total staff

40 full time, 24 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

Southern California Institute of Architecture Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 237
Graduate: 181

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 416
Part-time: 2

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 19
Men: 21

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 40
Black or African American: 7
White: 40
Asian: 31
Two or more races: 10

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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