PUC vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific Union College in Angwin, CA with Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pacific Union College is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (974 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific Union College is located in Angwin, CA (Rural Fringe setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• Pacific Union College 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: Pacific Union College 12:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

PUC vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PUC 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 Pacific Union College than SCI-Arc ($22,767 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Union College are 27.8% lower than at Southern California Institute of Architecture ($9,816 vs. $13,600).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 51.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than PUC (about $18,989 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $37,173.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.1% higher at SCI-Arc than at Pacific Union College (about $18,989 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $37,173.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Union College 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 60.1% larger than aid received by Pacific Union College students ($42,627 vs. $26,629).

PUC vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PUC 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 PUC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern California Institute of Architecture (1130) is 70 points higher than at PUC (1060).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Pacific Union College 930/1190; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Pacific Union College 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PUC - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SCI-Arc students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at PUC (3.24).
• SCI-Arc has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than PUC (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14% at PUC vs. 7% at SCI-Arc.

PUC vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PUC 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 Pacific Union College's (45%).
• Graduates from Pacific Union College earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pacific Union College graduates have a $12,750 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($30,000 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, PUC graduates have an estimated $132 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($310 vs. $442).
• More SCI-Arc graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PUC students, three years after graduation. (62% vs. 57%)

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.