Concordia University-Irvine vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

Compare Concordia University Irvine in Irvine, CA with Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Concordia University Irvine is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (3,658 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Concordia University Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Midsize City setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• Concordia University Irvine is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Concordia University Irvine 13:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

Concordia University-Irvine vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University-Irvine or SCI-Arc? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern California Institute of Architecture than Concordia University-Irvine ($28,985 vs. $29,845).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 4.7% lower than at Concordia University Irvine ($13,600 vs. $14,270).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 29.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Concordia University-Irvine (about $12,682 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $43,480.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.2% higher at SCI-Arc than at Concordia University Irvine (about $12,682 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $43,480.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Irvine than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (100% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 47.2% larger than aid received by Concordia University Irvine students ($42,627 vs. $28,966).

Concordia University-Irvine vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Concordia University-Irvine or SCI-Arc? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SCI-Arc and Concordia University-Irvine.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Concordia University Irvine (1150) is 20 points higher than at SCI-Arc (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Concordia University Irvine 1030/1260; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Concordia University Irvine 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Concordia University-Irvine - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Concordia University-Irvine students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at SCI-Arc (3.5).
• SCI-Arc has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than Concordia University-Irvine (66%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Concordia University-Irvine vs. 7% at SCI-Arc.

Concordia University-Irvine vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Concordia University-Irvine and SCI-Arc? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern California Institute of Architecture's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Concordia University Irvine's (51%).
• Graduates from Concordia University Irvine earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Concordia University Irvine graduates have a $20,072 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($22,678 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, Concordia University-Irvine graduates have an estimated $208 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($234 vs. $442).
• More Concordia University-Irvine graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.